Today, millions of people struggle to shed extra pounds that threaten their health and longevity and a new research indicates that a milk-derived compound called whey is a valuable asset to aid weight-loss.
Are you strapped for time, trying to cut down on your meat intake and eating on the run, getting much protein can be challenging for you. That’s where protein powder comes in. You can mix them in the shakes or smoothies to help you hit the goals wherever you are. And, sprinkling some protein powder on your pancakes or soups or on the top of the oatmeal can help transform your every meal into high-protein one.
What Is Whey?
Whey protein is basically an alternative to whole foods that can be used as supplement to your regular diet. It helps improving muscle protein synthesis and promote the growth of the lean tissue mass. It modulates various critical pathways such as weight management, supporting satiety, optimizing muscle mass and improving insulin sensitivity. Moreover, whey protein powder weight loss also helps in reducing stress, proper immune functioning, fighting against cancer, moderate cortisol and supports healthy serotonin levels and imparts the feeling of wellness.
Human Hormones And The Hunger Signals
Scientists are continually looking for the solutions to global issue of obesity epidemic and are interested in cholecystokinin as appetite regulator. During digestion, the gastrointestinal tract secretes cholecystokinin with various functions in both central and peripheral nervous system. There are additional hormones involved in satiety and appetite that are insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1, leptin and some others. The dietary factors like the amount and composition of proteins, carbohydrates and fats ingested are the determining factors to know which hormones are released in what factors.
Now, let’s explore some of the most effective health benefits that can be reaped consuming whey and how it promotes weight loss.
Whey Influences Food Intake
According to various studies and researches, consuming whey helps effectively in promoting the feeling of satisfaction and fullness that efficiently leads to reduced appetite and less food intake. Thus, it may provide assistance to the people looking to lose weight by limiting their calorie intake.
Weight Loss And Insulin Sensitivity
It is found that high protein diets are effective in reducing body weight and increasing insulin sensitivity. And, whey protein is more effective than the red meat and thus appears to be an ideal source of protein promoting healthy blood sugar regulations and weight loss.
Burning Fat, Building Lean Muscle
Whey intake before exercises supports fat burning and may also help the gym-goers who want to gain or maintain lean body mass. Whey has an ability to quickly deliver amino acids during workouts and to preserve fat burning allows it to enhance the adipose tissue-reducing efforts to carry out training. Thus, whey offers extreme benefits to add muscle and lose fat.
Effects On Mood, Cortisol and Serotonin
Whey is the best source of protein with alpha-lactalbumin, a tryptophan-rich whey constituent, which influences plasma tryptophan levels, reduces depression and modulates the concentrations of cortisol (stress hormone). Moreover, it provides improved coping ability through the alterations in brain serotonin.
Proven Benefits Consuming Whey
- Having whey before your meals may help limit hunger and food intake.
- Ingesting whey before exercise may enhance fat-burning.
- Effects of whey tend to last for 2-3 hours, so have it throughout the day in the form of breakfast(1-2 scoops in a bowl of oatmeal ), snacks or a whey based shake.
From supporting satiety, promoting fat burning, decreasing calorie intake and boosting lean body mass, whey is very effective for the individuals striving to achieve and maintain weight loss. Moreover, it also reduces stress and help maintain healthy levels of brain’s neurotransmitters.