Majority of protein supplements have previously been designed for male consumers, but there are some benefits of protein that apply specifically to women. To respond to this market gap, some brands have created female specific protein powder.
What Does Protein Powder Do For Women?
Protein plays an important role in the human body, an essential component for muscle building and tissue repair. It is also crucial for maintaining good skin health, balancing hormones, and supporting metabolism and immunity. For women, protein can be involved in building and shedding the lining of the womb, making it particularly important for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Maintaining a woman's daily protein requirements is not always easy, especially since they are occupied with work, childcare, and hobbies. This is where protein powders step in, since they provide an easy and convenient way to boost women's intake of this essential nutrient, no matter how busy their life may get.
Protein powders are not only a quick way to help ensure that a woman's body is nourished and satisfied. They can also use them for a variety of reasons such as weight loss, improvement of sports performance, muscle mass building, and for overall wellness. In general, the recommended daily allowance for protein powder for women is 0.8 grams per kilogram of their body.
Choosing the Best Protein Powder for Women
There are different varieties of protein powders for women that are currently available in the market. A woman must choose specific protein powders that match her specific needs.
For muscle building, choose protein powders that contain high biological value, or a measurement of how well the absorbs and utilizes a protein supplement. Whey protein and whey isolates such as MyProtein Impact Whey Protein are the best options for this purpose.
If a woman's goal is to lose weight, she can opt for shakes with no added sugars or starch-based sweeteners like dextrins/ maltodextrins. As much as possible, those with added branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) must be avoided since they help promote muscle growth and weight gain.
Vegetarians or vegans, on the other hand, should not choose milk-based protein shakes such as whey or milk proteins. Instead, they can use 100% plant proteins which are obtained from soy, pea or hemp. These products such as Vega Protein Made Simple can be used in smoothies and is best for both men and women.
Patients with diabetes should take protein shakes that do not contain added sugar. It is best to look for a shake with low carbohydrate content, as little as 5-15 grams per serving. There are also people with kidney disease which limits their ability to tolerate a lot of protein at one time. Those who suffer from such conditions should stick with protein powders that contain a lower-range protein content between 10 to 15 grams per serving.
Meanwhile, patients with irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance should opt for powders that do not contain lactose sugars, dextrins/ maltodextrins, or artificial sweeteners. For women with gluten allergy or sensitivity, they are not advised to take protein powders that contain gluten.
Read also: Eating Disorders in Men: How Does Their Obsession for Muscles, Protein Lead to Such a Condition?
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