Protein is a very important nutrient, as it plays an integral role in building strong muscles and bones, as well as regulating metabolism. Unfortunately, many people don’t get enough protein in their diets, which can lead to serious health complications.1 One way to ensure that you get the amount of protein you need is through consuming protein powders for women on a regular basis. A high protein diet can not only improve your health, and can also make working out easier.2
Protein powder is a staple in most weight lifters and bodybuilders’ diets. Protein can be found naturally in animal products, but it’s also available as a supplement. What are the benefits of protein powder for female bodybuilders?
Can Female Bodybuilders Consume Protein Powder?
One of the most common questions that nutritionists get asked by female bodybuilders is “What can female bodybuilders consume as protein supplements?” Protein is essential to all forms of physical activity and can be found in many foods.3 Some companies try to claim that their products are better because they have special ingredients that will enhance your workout but these claims are not proven and should be avoided. There are a few protein powders for women that are made with whey, pea, and egg protein.4
Bodybuilders consume protein for many reasons, but one reason is to promote muscle growth. When using protein powder supplements – whether they are for men or women – it is important to read the ingredients so you know what you’re consuming.5
When looking for protein supplements for female bodybuilders, look for those that contain high-quality protein, are manufactured from natural ingredients, and are free from harmful chemicals. Avoid protein powders with wheat or gluten. Also, avoid protein powders that claim to be organic or natural if they are not certified as such. Lastly, check the label and look for the protein concentration (percentage) listed next to the protein source.6 A protein concentration of 0.40 grams per weight is the recommended daily intake for adults, which is what you should be getting when you purchase supplements. Remember, any supplement should be used in conjunction with an appropriate diet, exercise routine, and other health strategies for best results.7
The Benefits Of Protein Powder For Female Bodybuilders
One of the most common questions female bodybuilders ask is whether protein powder is beneficial to them. Many female athletes and bodybuilders use protein powders as a meal replacement or post-workout snack to replace their regular meals. Although female bodybuilders need more protein than the average person, many female bodybuilders find that their protein needs are met just fine with protein shakes.8
Protein is an essential component of the female physique. It is used for repair, building, and rebuilding muscle after a workout session. Women tend to use up much less protein when working out than men. This is due in large part to the fact that female bodybuilders have had to substitute slower-acting protein for quicker-acting whey protein supplements.
There are a number of benefits to using protein powder supplements. One of the benefits of protein powder is, it is quickly absorbed by the body. Women usually eat much more than men during the day. Because of this they usually have very little energy at night time. With the aid of a protein shake late at night, these women can get the energy they require to get through the day.
Another benefit of protein powder for female bodybuilders is the increased mental focus and alertness it provides. Most female bodybuilders burn through large amounts of energy quickly. The use of protein supplements helps to reduce the amount of energy the female bodybuilders burn through normal physical activity. In addition to helping to maintain energy levels, female bodybuilders who use protein powder supplements have much more stamina throughout the course of their workouts.
Perhaps the single most important benefit of protein powder for female bodybuilders is the preservation of lean muscle mass. The majority of female bodybuilders will reduce the size of their muscles through diet and exercise.9 However, the preservation of muscle mass can only occur if the bodybuilders consume high quantities of protein on a regular basis. Protein powders allow female bodybuilders to consume large quantities of protein without drastically reducing the size of the muscles they are trying to develop. In fact, many female bodybuilders use protein shakes after each major workout session in order to preserve the lean muscle mass that they have already developed.
There are numerous other benefits of protein powder for female bodybuilders. These benefits are generally overlooked by most female bodybuilders. As the female bodybuilder develops the knowledge that all girls are not created equally, they often begin to take protein powder supplements with a greater frequency than they did in the past. As a result, many female bodybuilders have achieved amazing physiques. Although the female bodybuilding experience is unique and female bodybuilders have been able to develop their own unique advantages the benefits of protein powder for female bodybuilders remain an integral part of the female bodybuilding scene today.10
Whey Protein Benefits for Females
If you have been looking to improve your health or lose weight, one supplement that has consistently gotten good reviews is whey protein. One reason for this is the fact that it contains all of the essential amino acids that are important for overall body health and well-being. In addition to this, whey protein isolate, flavored and unflavored are also beneficial to female bodybuilders. Female bodybuilders need additional energy as well as more protein in their diet to help repair muscle tissue after strenuous exercise. If you’re a female bodybuilder considering adding whey protein powder to your diet, you need to know there are several whey protein benefits for females. These benefits include reducing the risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer, increasing energy and vigor, improving bone density and metabolism, and boosting libido.11
One of the best whey protein benefits for females is the reduction of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis occurs when women age because they lose calcium in their bones. This leads to the formation of fragile tissue that can cause the breaking of bones. Whey protein supplements combined with calcium will help combat this deterioration in bone structure.12 As well, studies have shown that whey protein supplements combined with calcium carbonate also reduced breast cancer risks.
Women who participate in high-intensity exercise programs usually need more calories than their normal caloric intake to maintain muscle mass. This is where whey protein comes in. Women need approximately 1 gram of whey protein per pound of body weight in order to reach their recommended daily allowance of protein.13 Obviously, the amount of protein needed by female bodybuilders is much higher than that needed by the average person.14 However, when trying to reach the required caloric intake for maintaining muscle mass, female bodybuilders should consider purchasing complete protein shakes.
Female competitors in competitive sports depend on an adequate supply of amino acids to maintain muscle strength and endurance. Because females have a greater need for amino acids than men, this is one of the few dietary sources for these important nutrients. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Therefore, the consumption of an adequate amount of amino acids will help promote lean muscle mass development.
Lastly, whey protein isolate, unflavored, is the best whey protein for female athletes. There are several different brands available. Each contains a different percentage of whey protein isolate. However, there are some brands that contain two parts: whey protein isolate and one percent whey protein concentrate. When considering which brand to purchase, make sure you read the label carefully.
5 Key Benefits of Pea Protein for Women
There are many benefits of protein, but one that has been getting a lot of attention in the female bodybuilding world is pea protein. It is becoming more common for female bodybuilders to add pea protein to their workout routines. What makes pea protein such a great choice for female bodybuilders is that it is all-natural and very inexpensive. In fact, you can buy it very reasonably in most sporting goods stores and health food stores for as little as ten cents per serving. With so many female bodybuilding benefits, this nutritional choice makes a lot of sense!15
First of all, pea protein is a great source of essential amino acids.16 This includes cystine, which is essential in recovering from injuries, building muscle, and maintaining muscle mass. L-glutamine and arginine are also found in high concentrations of pea protein, which can help improve female moods and energy levels as well as helping with thyroid conditions. As far as endurance, there is no better natural substance than pea protein for improving stamina.
One of the best female bodybuilding benefits of protein is the strengthening effect it has on the female body. Most female bodybuilders use it as a post-workout meal. After working out, they eat pea protein immediately so that their muscles have a maximum supply of amino acids available for repair and healing. For professional female bodybuilders who practice six or seven days per week, this is a big expense. Protein shakes used to replace the meal often have a large number of carbohydrates and calories.
Another of the female bodybuilding benefits of protein is its contribution to healthy hair and nails. Because female hormones are different from those needed by men, the presence of female hormones in the body causes changes that contribute to healthy hair, nails, and skin. Protein is necessary for the production of healthy hormones and plays an important role in maintaining bone density. It is practically impossible for female bodybuilders to gain muscle without supplementation.
The last of the female bodybuilding benefits of protein is the reduction in fat. Although female bodybuilders naturally lose fat while exercising, the excess weight is often deposited in the form of body fat. Pea protein is high in fats and therefore helps reduce female bodybuilding fat. This is one of the reasons that many female bodybuilders include it in their diet after a workout. It also provides energy and increases the burning of fat.
There are many female bodybuilders who rely exclusively on supplements for their nutrition. While protein supplements may offer a convenient way to get essential amino acids, they should be used in addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Image Credits
Bodybuilding.com / February 19, 2021
andMe / 2021
Amazon / 2021
Healthline / April 30, 2013
Amazon / 2021
Endnotes
1 “10 Science-Backed Reasons to Eat More Protein – Healthline.” 8 Mar. 2019, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-to-eat-more-protein Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
2 “Protein: Why Your Body Needs It – WebMD.” https://www.webmd.com/diet/benefits-protein Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
3 “Why Is Protein Important In Your Diet? | Piedmont Healthcare.” https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/why-is-protein-important-in-your-diet Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
4 “The 7 Best Types of Protein Powder – Healthline.” 23 Oct. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-protein-powder Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
5 “Health benefits of protein powder – Medical News Today.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323093 Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
6 “Protein Concentration – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/protein-concentration Accessed 30 Jun. 2021
7 “Protein Intake — How Much Protein Should You Eat per Day?.” 1 Oct. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-per-day Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
8 “How Protein Shakes Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat – Healthline.” 25 May. 2016, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/protein-shakes-weight-loss Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
9 “Benefits of Protein for Women – Care/of.” https://takecareof.com/articles/benefits-protein-for-women Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
10 “The scoop on protein powder – Harvard Health.” 9 Mar. 2020, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-scoop-on-protein-powder-2020030918986 Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
11 “Is Whey Protein Good for You? – Health Essentials from Cleveland ….” 4 Jan. 2021, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-whey-protein-good-for-you/ Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
12 “Whey protein: Health benefits, side effects, and dangers.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263371 Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
13 “Women and Protein – An Essential Guide | ISSA.” https://www.issaonline.com/blog/index.cfm/2019/women-and-protein-an-essential-guide Accessed 30 Jun. 2021
14 “How Much Protein Do Women Need? Are You Getting Enough?.” https://www.nwpc.com/how-much-protein-do-women-need-are-you-getting-enough/ Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
15 “Pea Protein Powder: Nutrition, Benefits and Side Effects – Healthline.” 30 Nov. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pea-protein-powder Accessed 30 Jun. 2021
16 “4 Benefits of Pea Protein Powder – Your Super.” https://yoursuper.com/pages/pea-protein-powder-benefits Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.