26/03/2025
Don't waste your money on whey Protein
If you're a gym-goer, chances are your trainer has recommended whey protein. Some even suggest costly foreign brands priced around ₹7,000–₹8,000 for 2 kg, claiming that nothing else — including plant proteins like soy — can match its muscle-building benefits. Let's break down the facts.
Muscle Building and Amino Acids: Your body doesn’t differentiate between amino acids from whey or soy — it simply uses the amino acids provided for muscle repair and growth.
Absorption Speed: Whey protein absorbs faster (within 1 hour) compared to soy protein (within 2 hours), which can sometimes lead to carb cravings. Additionally, whey protein may cause bloating. On the other hand, soy protein's slower digestion — thanks to its fiber content — promotes better gut health.
Muscle Growth Timeline: Since muscle building is a 24–48 hour process, the difference in absorption speed (whether 1 or 3 hours) is insignificant. In fact, slower absorption creates a lasting feeling of fullness, which can help with fat loss and achieving a leaner physique.
Studies from France (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5828430) suggest that slower absorption helps maintain a healthy amino acid balance without the sharp spikes seen with whey protein. Additionally, a joint study by Arizona State University and other U.S. universities (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7312446/) found that whey and soy protein delivered similar results when adjusted for leucine content — a key amino acid for muscle growth.
Moreover, soy protein offers added benefits like lowering LDL cholesterol and improving heart health, as highlighted by the American Heart Association Journal (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.102.20.2555).
So, the next time your gym trainer insists on whey protein, share this information and ask: Why not soy protein? https://youtu.be/OmVx2js8zMg
If you're a gym-goer, chances are your trainer has recommended whey protein. Some even suggest costly foreign brands priced around ₹7,000–₹8,000 for 2 kg, cl...