ODD Breakfast Trick JUMPSTARTS Metabolism?
A protein shake is one of the easiest, healthiest ways to start your day right.
They’re quick and tasty, and you can toss in countless “extras” to ENHANCE their benefits… a handful of spinach, a pinch of turmeric, a scoop of collagen, etc.
But instead of focusing on what to ADD to protein shakes, let’s talk about what science says is one of the very best BASES to build them on…
Whey protein.
Whey is the liquid that remains after milk has been curdled and strained. It’s a “complete protein” because it contains all nine essential amino acids.
In a recent study, researchers reviewed previous randomized controlled trials to see how eating whey protein impacts metabolic health.
First, results consistently showed whey protein is excellent for controlling blood sugar.
It improved…
- blood sugar levels,
- fasting blood sugar,
- HbA1c (a measurement of blood sugar over time),
- after-meal blood sugar levels,
- and insulin.
This could be because leucine (a branched-chain amino acid in whey) strongly influences insulin, the hormone that helps remove sugar from the bloodstream.
Whey can ALSO slow the movement of food through the stomach, regulating blood sugar levels while also making you feel fuller, longer.
Second, whey protein lowers triglyceride levels, a type of fat in the blood. That’s because whey breaks down fat for energy while also regulating fat storage.
Third, whey regulates blood pressure levels by boosting a substance that keeps arteries dilated (nitric oxide) and blocking one that causes them to constrict.
With metabolism-boosting benefits like these, eating whey protein boosts your health now AND in the future.
P.S. Many folks find it challenging to work out longer or harder when they hit their senior years. But that’s okay. You just need to exercise smarter instead.
SOURCE:
Berrazaga I, et al., “The Role of the Anabolic Properties of Plant- versus Animal-Based Protein Sources in Supporting Muscle Mass Maintenance: A Critical Review.” Nutrients. 2019 Aug 7;11(8):1825. doi: 10.3390/nu11081825. PMID: 31394788; PMCID: PMC6723444.
