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A new product in the market is soy protein powders for bodybuilders and weightlifters. These soy protein powders are gaining in popularity, primarily because they are made from soybeans which have been shown to contain essential amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin B-12, vitamins A, C, and E as well as glutamic acid and creatine. Bodybuilders and weightlifters alike use soy protein powders to supplement their diets especially when they do not get enough protein during their workouts and competitions. These soy protein powders are made by steaming soybeans which are then flavored with natural flavors such as salt, sweeteners, and other additives. Although many of these soy protein powders for bodybuilders and weightlifters have the same nutritional value as other forms of protein powder, there are some differences with regards to their absorption rate.1
Soy protein isolate is actually relatively new, and in fact, this particular brand of soy protein powder is the first of its kind to be manufactured and it was developed specifically for the benefit of weightlifters and bodybuilders who cannot ingest large amounts of soy protein in their diet due to allergies or soy protein being a meat byproduct.
Another reason why soy protein isolate has become popular among athletes is that it is made from all-natural ingredients which is another contributing factor for its widespread popularity among people who want to eat healthily yet retain a fit body. In fact, soy protein isolate can also help bodybuilders avoid decreasing muscle gains and serious injury because it helps in maintaining proper hydration levels during extreme bodybuilding routines. Therefore, soy protein isolate has become a highly recommended dietary supplement by today’s professional bodybuilders and is widely available in the market today.
What is Soy Protein Powder?
Soy protein isolate is a powder made from soybeans and sometimes contains trace amounts of other beneficial proteins like BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids). This soy protein powder comes from soybeans grown in the USA or other countries where soybeans are grown. Soy protein powder may be highly concentrated, but most of it is void of gluten and other common allergens. Soy protein isolate is an excellent source of high-quality proteins for bodybuilders and weightlifters alike. Soy protein isolate may also have some anti-aging properties as it’s a source of low-fat protein.2
Soy protein isolate contains 75% protein. It’s a complete protein, which means it contains all essential amino acids. These soy protein powders which contain high levels of protein and high levels of fiber are perfect for use by those who are trying to increase their protein and fiber intake. Soy protein powder is used in many different forms including soy milk, soy cookies, soy protein shakes, soy protein bars, soy protein oatmeal, soy flour, and soy condensed milk.3
What Are The Benefits of Soy Protein Powder For Bodybuilders?
First of all, soy protein powder comes in a convenient powdered form that you can mix into any drinks or milkshakes, or ice cream, etc. It is quickly digested by the body, so even if you are not working out hard, you are still getting all of the nutrients that you need to maintain your muscle and bone structure.
Another one of soy protein benefits for bodybuilders is that soy helps reduce the recovery time after working out. You can speed up the recovery process if you follow a post workout meal plan with soy protein, as the nutrients will allow your muscles to heal more quickly. Soy also helps improve immune function, so working out is not as stressful on your body.
Of course one of the biggest benefits of soy protein powder for bodybuilders is that it is great for weight loss.4 If you are someone who has trouble losing weight or maintaining a desired weight, soy protein powder may be just what you need to help you get there. Soy is naturally found in soybeans, so this means that you can eat soy anytime, anywhere. You do not have to stop eating meat, eggs, or dairy products to reap the health benefits of soy protein. And since soy protein powder is made up of all natural ingredients, there is no reason to worry about nasty side effects like with some soy products.5
As far as energy and strength training goes, there are numerous benefits of soy. The soy protein helps give you an energy boost and it can help to regulate blood sugar levels. This can mean a higher energy throughout the day, which can lead to more productive workouts. It can also help regulate hormonal balances, which can help you prevent possible side effects like those of estrogen when you are taking human growth hormone supplements. This is important for women’s bodybuilding.
The last benefit is probably the most controversial, and that is the potential for gaining lean muscle mass. Bodybuilders have been debating this for years. Many experts claim that soy protein is best used before and after workout for best results. Some experts think that adding it post workout can actually slow down fat absorption. Whatever your opinion is, soy protein powder has some strong benefits that can help you jump start your bodybuilding career.
The Downsides of Soy Protein Powder
While there are many benefits to consuming soy protein shakes, there are also some potential downsides of these products. Some of the possible dangers of soy include things like allergic reactions to the soy itself, the actual soy protein found in the product and the way that it is created.
One of the biggest issues that people have with soy protein powder is that they may be allergic to soy. With this kind of soy, which is more commonly called genetically engineered soy or GMO soy, the actual genetic material of the plant is altered with genetic engineering technology, by using genetic engineering techniques.6 When this occurs, the soybeans are changed so that the plants can grow better when they are sprayed with the herbicide known as dicamba. In the past, some people have had serious problems with allergic reactions to this chemical. Since the advent of soy protein isolate powder, people have been able to eliminate the need for using soy and dicamba.
Soy protein isolate can come with some serious health risks, including the possibility of cancer, especially breast cancer. Also, some studies have indicated that soy protein powder may increase the risk of growth hormone tumors in adults. There are two different ways that this may occur. The soy protein powder may contain high levels of phytoestrogen content, which means that there could be an increased risk of tumors developing after a person has developed phytoestrogenic hormone.7
Should Bodybuilders Consume Soy Protein Powder
There are a lot of different opinions when it comes to the question of whether or not bodybuilders should eat soy protein. Some say that it’s completely okay, and others say that you should steer clear of it entirely. If you’re in the market for bodybuilding supplements and you’re looking to get the most protein possible, you should definitely consider using bodybuilding soy protein powder. While it may seem like a no-brainer, you’ll find that there are a few reasons why you should incorporate it into your workout routine.
One reason that bodybuilding soy protein powder is good for bodybuilders is that it has a high level of soy. Bodybuilders need soy protein because it contains all of the amino acids that they need to help build muscle tissue and improve their strength and endurance. If you don’t have enough protein in your diet, you will find that you frequently suffer from fatigue and you may not be able to exercise as much as you’d like. Soy protein helps prevent this by giving bodybuilders the nutrition that they need but without including meat and eggs in their diets.
Another reason why bodybuilders should use bodybuilding soy protein powder is that it can boost your metabolism. A lot of times, bodybuilders will consume large amounts of protein after a workout and that can actually burn some of the calories that they’ve burned during the course of the workout. If you pair that with the fact that soy protein is low in fat, you can see how consuming it can help you really maximize your recovery. When you burn calories, you also repair the cells in your body. If you incorporate bodybuilding soy protein powder into your bodybuilding dieting routine, you can help your body repair faster and you can speed up your metabolism.8
Image Credits
MyProtein / 2021
Nutrascience Labs / April 13, 2021
Levels / June 29, 2020
FitDay / 2021
1 “Soy Protein: Good or Bad? – Healthline.” 4 Oct. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/soy-protein-good-or-bad Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
2 “Soy Protein Powder :: Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods.” https://www.bobsredmill.com/soy-protein-powder.html Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
3 “Protein Shakes: Benefits of Whey and Soy Protein Powders and ….” https://www.webmd.com/diet/protein-shakes Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
4 “What Are the Benefits of Soy Protein Isolate? – WebMD.” https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-soy-protein-isolate Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
5 “What Is the Best Type of Protein for Weight Loss? – Healthline.” 10 Dec. 2017, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-protein-for-weight-loss Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
6 “What are GMOs? – Purdue Agriculture – Purdue University.” https://ag.purdue.edu/GMOs/Pages/WhatareGMOs.aspx Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
7 “The pros and cons of phytoestrogens – NCBI – NIH.” 27 Mar. 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074428/ Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
8 “Bodybuilding Meal Plan: What to Eat, What to Avoid – Healthline.” 19 Nov. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bodybuilding-meal-plan Accessed 21 Jul. 2021.
