Everything You Need To Know About Whey Protein

Whey protein's the gym buddy that always turns up! Not only does it contain all nine essential amino acids our bodies need, including muscle-building branched-chain amino acids (BCAAS), but it’s also absorbed quickly for a convenient extra hit of protein whenever you need it. But what exactly is whey protein? How do you use it? And when should you take it? Get the full scoop here as HERMOSA explains everything you need to know about whey protein powder.

 What Is Whey Protein?

Whey protein is a milk-derived protein that contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs (but can’t produce itself) to function properly. These include the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine and valine, which are the building blocks of muscle growth and repair. Whey protein is easy to digest, and your body absorbs it quickly (way quicker than casein) for effective refuelling as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. 

What Is Whey Protein Made From?

Whey protein is made from cow’s milk. There are two main types of proteins in milk: casein and whey (with an 80/20 split between the two). Whey is the liquid part of the milk that gets skimmed off in the cheesemaking process and used to be thrown away until some clever person realised just how protein-rich it was. So now whey is saved and put through several processing stages before it becomes the whey protein powder we know and love.

What are the main types of whey protein?

There are three main types of whey protein: 

• Whey protein concentrate – HERMOSA uses whey protein concentrate because it's the least processed kind of whey and retains the most nutrients, including natural fats and lactose. Plus, it has the best flavour profile. 
• Whey protein isolate – Protein isolate has had the fats and lactose taken out, which can be slightly kinder on the gut if you're lactose intolerant. But you might be better off altogether with a vegan protein instead. 
  
• Whey protein hydrolysate – Whey protein hydrolysate is processed a little bit more to break down the protein into amino acids. This means it's absorbed super quickly, but because of that, it creates a bigger insulin spike.  

How Does Whey Protein Work?

Uses for Whey Protein

The cool thing about whey protein is that you can use it for all sorts of goals. The positive effects of whey protein for muscle gain are well-known. But if you're looking to get lean and limber, whey protein has your back too. Even if you just need an extra hit of protein on the go, whey protein benefits even the busiest lifestyles. So, no matter what goals you're striving for, an effective whey protein (like ours!) can help you achieve your goals.

If you're wondering, 'does why protein help to lose weight?' there's good news and bad. Whey isn't some slimming elixir, and you're not going to shed pounds just by downing shakes. Sorry! But, if you're supplementing your resistance training with whey protein powder, one bonus of those endorphin-boosting workouts is that muscle burns more calories at rest than other types of tissue. Plus, protein keeps you feeling fuller for longer. Win-win!

How Much Whey Protein Should You Have a Day?

The amount of whey protein you should take daily depends on your lifestyle. You can base it on your goals and exercise regime, bearing in mind how often and intensely you train. As a rule of thumb, one to two daily shakes should do it. That gives you an extra 20-40g of protein without even trying. Just remember not to overdo it. Some side effects of protein powder overindulgence include bloating, cramps and fatigue. No bueno!  

Food's still important too, peeps! As much as we love our ridiculously tasty protein powders, they're there to give you an extra helping hand on top of all the other good stuff you're putting into your body! That means chowing down on lean proteins, like chicken or tofu, keeping your energy stores topped up with carbs, and including healthy fats (such as olive oil and avocados) for a helping hand to absorb essential vitamins, like A, D and E. 

When Is It Best To Take Whey Protein?

So when is the best time to take whey protein? Before a workout? Straight after? Both? Or whenever-the-heck you feel like a quick hit of healthy calories on the go?! Honestly – and you're going to hate us for saying this – it's entirely up to you. Do what feels right! No one knows your body or your goals better than you. So embrace the freedom of supplementing your lifestyle with HERMOSA whey protein whenever it suits you.

Of course, if you want maximum gains, enjoying a clean HERMOSA shake just after your grind will give your muscles a quick hit of those muscle-building amino acids they need to repair and grow. The jury's still out on whether that needs to be within 30 minutes or two hours. But don't worry too much about the exact timings. As long as you're getting whey protein on board within 24 hours of your workout, you're golden. You do you!

Whey is bae at HERMOSA!

If you want to refuel, repair and generally repay your hard-working muscles, whey is bae! And, with HERMOSA's smooth, easy-to-mix, organic whey protein powders, you'll be one smitten kitten. That’s because we bring you the finest, ethically sourced protein concentrate on earth. Packed full of all nine essential amino acids from grass-fed cows that roam the serene Lake District countryside, you'll enjoy 20g of high-quality protein in every scoop.