Muscle Evolved

Should You Drink Protein Shakes Before Or After Working Out?

By Keenan Walsh · · Updated

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Protein is essential for the body. The amino acids in the protein will help your muscles heal and grow. It is something that every person needs whether you workout or not. Athletes and people who lift weights may need more than the minimum in their diet.

Protein shakes are a great way to get all of the protein that you need for your daily intake. But is it better to drink protein before your workout or after? In this article, I will answer this question.

Why Drink Protein Shakes?

Protein is a macronutrient that the body needs to operate. Protein does many things Such as helping with Injuries and muscle growth, provides a structure for your body, helps your immune system, and helps move and store nutrients read more here.

Protein helps to build and repair microtears in your muscle fibers. Common sources of protein are found in meat, fish, eggs, and most nuts. A great way to get protein is through protein powder utilized in shakes.

Protein shakes pack in a lot of protein. A typical scoop of protein powder has about 20 to 25 grams. The RDA is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, or about 54 grams for a 150-pound adult, so a scoop or two covers a large share but not all of it. These powders can be used to make shakes by mixing the powder with milk or water.

Protein shakes are a great, quick, and easy way to get those protein macronutrients in your body. Many shakes on the market taste great and are filling. A plain protein shake isn’t a complete meal, though, so don’t use it as a regular meal replacement unless it’s designed to be one.

Are Protein Shakes Better Pre Workout Or Post Workout?

So Protein is used to help grow muscles, but is there a difference in how your body utilizes the protein depending on the time you consume it? Is it better to drink protein before or after your workout?

A group of researchers did an experiment with 21 resistance-trained young men who lifted three times a week for ten weeks. One group took 25 grams of whey protein right before each workout, and the other took it right after.

The results showed there was no big difference in the results of muscle mass that the men gained read more here. Timing had no significant effect on any measure in the study. It was small, so it isn’t the final word, but according to this research there seems to be no exact time that you should take it.

In my personal opinion, you should take protein post-workout. The reason being that protein shakes are extremely filling and working out when full is never fun. When you work out and then take it afterward it will help you fill up and you will have your workout complete so you don’t have to work out with a full stomach.

Conclusion

So is protein better before or after a workout? The answer is that it does not matter. You can do whatever is better for your personal routine. Whether you take protein before or after your workout, research suggests the benefit is about the same. Getting enough total protein through the day matters more for long-term muscle growth.

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