After what feels like a solid year of winter ‘blah’, summer’s on its way back, and we are living for it! Whether you’re psyched about catching some waves, pounding the trails, yoga on the beach – or whatever else inspires you to move on those long, hot (warm?!) days – you’ll need to keep your hard-working muscles fuelled and primed for chasing down those endorphins.
If you’re looking to build lean muscle mass, the gold standard for everything from improving balance and posture to boosting bone health, performance, power and endurance, you’ll want some whey protein in your corner. Containing all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth and repair, whey reigns supreme for keeping you lean, healthy and energised.
Let’s check out the benefits of whey protein for building lean muscle mass, how it works, and when to take it for the best results.
The Benefits Of Getting Your Whey
So why is whey protein the muscle-building poster child of CrossFitters, bodybuilders, athletes and countless movers and shakers in between? Well, not only is whey what we call a ‘complete protein’ (containing all those useful amino acids we mentioned earlier), but it’s also absorbed super quickly and easily, making it the ideal choice for a pre- or post-workout recovery – whatever works best for you.
As well as supercharging muscle growth and repair, adding regular scoops of whey to your diet has other health benefits too. Here are just some of the payoffs of adding a dash of whey to your day:
- Keeps you fuller for longer: Whey protein is highly satiating, which means it keeps you feeling fuller for longer. This helps to reduce cravings and overeating, keeping you trim and energised.
- Lowers Blood Pressure: Some studies have shown that adding whey protein to your lifestyle can help lower blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure.
- Improves Immune Function: Whey protein is an amazing source of glutathione, an antioxidant that helps boost immune function. Perfect for keeping you fighting fit all year round.
- Helps Lower Cholesterol Levels: Whey protein has been shown to help lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart disease. Sounds like a great excuse for a smoothie if you ask us!
- Promotes Bone Health: Whey protein contains calcium, which is essential for bone health. It also helps with the absorption of other bone-building nutrients, like vitamin D.
Amazing, right? Absolutely. But let’s just back the truck up for a teensy, tiny second.
While whey protein offers a whole lot of health benefits, it’s never going to be effective on its own. Like all supplements, whey protein works best when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s good stuff, but it’s not a miracle worker. So eat well, move your body every which way that feels great, and add a scoop or two of whey to your daily routine to help maximise the benefits of everything you’re doing.
How Does Whey Protein Build Muscle?
So we’ve covered the benefits of whey protein as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. But how exactly does it build muscle? Well, muscle growth happens when the rate of muscle protein synthesis is greater than the rate of muscle protein breakdown. Translation? When we exercise, our muscles get damaged. So consuming enough protein helps repair and rebuild the muscles, ultimately leading to growth.
Nestled in your pouch or jar of HERMOSA whey, you’ll find the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): leucine, isoleucine and valine. This triple-whammy of BCAAs is responsible for making the protein in your muscles and reducing muscle breakdown. So when you combine whey with any form of resistance training – be it callisthenics, Pilates or weight training – you’re giving your muscles everything they need to bounce right back.
When Should I Go All The Way?
That’s the eternal question! And it’s totally up to you.
Most experts will tell you that consuming whey protein straight after a workout (within 30 minutes) is the sweet spot for recovery and muscle gain. But if you’d rather drink a protein shake before you get active or want to drop a scoop into your morning porridge, go right ahead. Simply by taking protein on board regularly throughout the day, you’re helping your body to maintain a positive nitrogen balance, which is key to growth and repair.
Research suggests that having 20-30 grams of whey protein after a workout can effectively stimulate muscle protein synthesis. But just by adding small amounts of protein throughout the day, such as 10-20 grams of whey protein every 3-4 hours, you’re also giving your muscles the pep they need. Naturally, this is all in the context of that aforementioned balanced diet that’s rich in protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats.
Why Choose HERMOSA Whey Protein?
If you’re looking for high-quality whey protein, make HERMOSA your go-to source.
Our superior whey protein is made from premium, ethically-sourced ingredients, like whey that’s skimmed from the milk of grass-fed cows that frolic in the Lake District and the sweet, sweet goodness of all-natural stevia flavouring from South America. Packing 20g of protein in every scoop, our non-GMO, gluten-free whey protein mixes to a silky smooth consistency and tastes divine. We’ve even got the awards to prove it.
So no matter what your muscle-building goals, stock up on whey from the HERMOSA collection today. We’re shaking up the protein game for your pleasure. Get after it!
