A Sneak Peek into the Benefits of Hydrolyzed Protein for Athletes
In the early 2000s, protein hydrolysates (commonly known as hydrolyzed proteins) made an entry into the market. At the time, very little was known about its efficacy on size and performance. If anything, we just knew that they digested faster than conventional protein powders.
There were indeed many naysayers who, for whatever reason, saw hydrolyzed protein as nothing more than a gimmick.
Time has lapsed and we now know better. Hydrolyzed protein is here to stay and as an athlete, you stand to benefit a lot. As an athlete, you very well know that nutrition plays a crucial role in helping you achieve your overall fitness goals. Hitting the gym on a daily basis doesn’t cut it.
Proper nutrition is of the essence in providing your body with the energy it needs to perform, help you recover faster as well as reduce the risk of injury. One nutrient that is bound to make a significant difference in protein, especially when it’s in the form of hydrolyzed protein.
In this article, we are going to shed light on this protein, its benefits to athletes, and how as an athlete, it can help you attain pique performance and maximize muscle recovery.
What Is Hydrolyzed Protein?
Hydro-what? You probably blurted that out the first time you read it. This protein is a type of protein that has been broken down into smaller amino acids and peptides. It’s a protein that, for lack of a better word, has been partially digested or if you like “hydrolyzed”.
The process is known as enzymatic hydrolysis and has the effect of making it easier for the body to digest and absorb protein.
In essence, this protein is delivered to the muscles faster than other types of protein.
Benefits of Protein to Athletes
Now that you know what hydrolyzed protein is, you probably are wondering how beneficial it is to you as an athlete. Well, here are some of the benefits of hydrolyzed protein.
Faster Muscle Recovery
One key benefit of this protein that athletes stand to benefit has to be the fact that it promotes faster muscle recovery. Why is this the case? Well, owing to the fact that it’s absorbed faster than other types of protein, it can help replenish the amino acids that your muscles need to repair and grow.
Improved Performance
As an athlete, hydrolyzed protein has the effect of helping you achieve pique performance as it provides the energy your muscles need to perform at their very best.
Consequently, hydrolyzed protein is effective in improving endurance as well as reducing muscle fatigue which essentially means that you get to train harder and for longer periods of time.
Reduced Risk of Injury
Earlier, we mentioned that hydrolyzed protein is instrumental in strengthening and repairing your muscles. In the same wavelength, hydrolyzed proteins also play a crucial role in reducing your risk of injury.
By providing your body with the nutrients it needs to recover and build muscles, you can protect yourself against sprains, strains, and other injuries.
Types of Hydrolyzed Protein
There are indeed different types of this protein that you can choose from depending on your nutritional needs, personal tastes, and preferences. These are:
Whey Protein
Whey protein is, without a doubt, one of the most popular types of this protein. The reason for its immense popularity is because of one key reason: It’s a complete protein. As a complete protein, it contains all the essential amino acids that your body needs to effectively build and repair muscles.
Soy Protein
If you are an athlete that follows a plant based diet, you can’t go wrong with soy protein. Just like whey protein, soy protein is also a complete protein that contains all essential amino acids and has been found to be quite effective in promoting muscle growth and recovery, especially among vegan athletes.
Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides, as the name suggests, are a type of hydrolyzed protein that is derived from collagen, which is the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen peptides are essentially known for their ability to support joint and skin health, not forgetting muscle repair and recovery.
How to Incorporate Hydrolyzed Protein into Your Diet
There is no denying that when athletes think about food, they are most likely thinking about a diet that will help them improve performance and overall health. Having familiarized yourself with the benefits of this protein, you are most likely wondering or simply curious about how you can incorporate it into your diet. Well, here’s how.
- Protein supplements: One of the easiest and most effective ways to incorporate hydrolyzed protein into your diet is through protein supplements. Protein supplements are available in a variety of forms including protein shakes, protein powders, as well as protein bars.
- Food sources: Hydrolyzed protein can be obtained from whole food sources such as chicken, beef, and fish. But what if you are vegan? Well, if you are vegan or vegetarian, there are a number of plant based sources like soy and pea protein that are available in the hydrolyzed form.
- Timing: To maximize the use of hydrolyzed protein and enjoy its benefits, timing is important. You need to ensure that you consume it at the right times. As an athlete, it is recommended that you consume this protein within 30 minutes of finishing your workout to help kick-start the process of recovery.
To sum it up, hydrolyzed protein supplements offer several benefits for athletes looking to optimize their performance and recovery.
This specialized form of protein is broken down into smaller peptides making it easier to digest and absorb. It is important to note that hydrolyzed protein is free from common allergens hence making it a safe option for individuals with food sensitivities or allergies.
While there is some research that suggests this protein supplements might be good for skin health, proper care should be taken not to use this protein supplements as a meal replacement.
You shouldn’t substitute a healthy balanced diet rich in whole foods for protein supplements.
That said, this protein is an effective tool for athletes looking to improve performance, and muscle recovery. As an athlete, you want to be in top condition, eat proper nutrition, and improve the process of muscle recovery.
Hydrolyzed protein helps you to achieve exactly that. By incorporating hydrolyzed protein into your diet, you stand to build lean muscle mass more efficiently, improve endurance, and reduce the risk of injury.
Whether you are a professional athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or simply someone who leads an active lifestyle, incorporating hydrolyzed protein into your diet is sure to help you achieve your fitness and overall health goals. While at it, we must warn you that hydrolyzed protein is not a magic wand, you must put in the work if you are to achieve your fitness goals.
At Organic Village, we are focused on helping you achieve pique performance by ensuring that the hydrolyzed protein supplements you are looking for are of high quality and made using natural ingredients.
You can browse through our eshop for whey protein, soy protein, and other health supplements that are instrumental in helping you achieve your fitness goals as well as boost your protein intake.
If you are looking for a reliable and trustworthy organic store, you can rest assured that Organic Village is a one-stop eshop for all your organic protein supplements.
