While whey protein has always been a popular choice among weight-lifters and gym-goers, vegan or plant protein has given us some of the best athletes too. But how do you know which is the best protein source for yourself? From where do we get these proteins? And is plant protein even worth the hype it gets?
We are here to answer some of these fundamental questions and help you with a detailed comparison between the two mass-gainers. So you can choose the best from a list of whey protein powders on as well as plant protein powders found on apolloedoc. This comparative guide will clear your doubts about the source, quality, and benefits of the two proteins.
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How Are They Produced?
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From where do these two protein sources come? And how are they produced? These questions can help you grapple on how beneficial it is for you to consume either of them. It is also essential if you have food allergies, considering you do not want to rile up your immune system for a dose of protein!
Whey Protein
Once considered futile for people, whey is a milk by-product that became a substantial part of a pig diet for better tolerance and growth. Until around 460 BC, Hippocrates, the father of medicine—identified whey as a medicine to boost the immune system. But how is whey even sourced?
Well, milk of two kinds of proteins known as whey and Casein. It is the liquid part of milk, and it is separated during the production of cheese. Once separated, whey is micro-filters, treated, and dried, after which appropriate sweeteners and preservatives are added in it. On the other hand, plant proteins do not require such a lengthy or complicated process.
Plant Protein
source:medicalnewstoday.com
Many athletes choose to consume whey because it’s inexpensive and contains all nine amino acids, which makes it a complete protein. For the longest time, it was believed that plant protein is not a complete protein, and it can only be obtained by mixing two or more components to achieve that. But this is an only half-truth, as multiple plant-based food sources can offer you complete proteins like Soy, Quinoa, Peas, Nuts, Seeds, and more!
Today, we have a pool of vegan and plant-based protein powders from which you can choose. And yes, this is from where Vegetarians and Vegans get their daily dose of healthy protein!
Which is Better for Muscle Gain?
There are many advantages of consuming adequate protein in your diet. It can help control your blood pressure, reduce your appetite, nourish your hair and nails, and keep you alive. It is an essential component for you, and each cell in your body depends on it.
It is also beneficial in gaining muscle mass and reducing fat—the primary reason athletes take it as gospel truth. So, which protein source will help accelerate your muscle repair and growth?
Whey Protein
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As many athletes put confidence in it, whey protein is the talk of the town for excellent results in muscle growth. whey is obtained from thickened milk after you separate the curds (or wheys) from the liquid. Although it provides the complete amino acid source, not all whey proteins have a similar level of essential amino acids. It is also a component that comes in low caloric value. And it is chosen by workout-freaks all over the world!
You can choose from Concentrates and Isolates when you’re in the market buying whey protein. If we were to speak from the quality perspective, we would recommend Isolates for better muscle healing and growth. While whey helps in building muscle mass, it also enhances and increases the fat loss process. Many studies and testimonies show that whey protein Isolate provides more than 90% pure protein, while Concentrates only offers between 30 and 80% protein.
Since whey is a milk by-product, many consumers are worried about their lactose intolerance. However, if you choose whey protein Isolates, you will have less than 1% intake of lactose. We recommend whey protein at the drop of a hat!
Plant Protein
source:medicalnewstoday.com
As much clout meat and dairy receive for high-protein content, and the only resource for good quality protein, plant protein is also an excellent option for vegetarians, vegans, and even meat-eaters to boost muscle growth. Whether it is boxing, triathlons, bodybuilding, or sports, consumer plant protein can improve your performance by enhancing muscle growth and bettering your overall health.
However, it is not simple to find plant-based sources of protein that are packed with all nine amino acids. Also, even when you do find foods with complete proteins, you will end up gobbling many micronutrients that cross over each other. For instance, if you consume nuts, seeds, or grains with high protein content, they will also supply a high amount of carbs and fats under your nose. It is a tough task finding a plant source that will provide you pure protein.
You can work around all these issues by including various types of plant proteins in your diet, although there is an unusual amount of work in this process. You should be able to find plant proteins low in calories, but unlike whey, many of these vegan food sources do not offer essential amino acids like leucine (BCAA). This amino acid has a very vital role in building and repairing your muscles. For vegans, Peas and Soy are the only exclusion here.
Which One is Easier to Digest?
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More than 65% of Americans have digestive issues related to lactose intolerance. This is a growing medical condition that restricts dairy and dairy by-products from the diets of many Americans. Now, although whey, especially whey protein Isolate, does not contain a large amount of lactose, you can still end up with cramps and flatulence. Another risk of consuming dairy is developing cancer or heart conditions, as the animal husbandry industry pumps the bodies of livestock with antibiotics.
Plant protein, on the other hand, does not cause a ruckus to your GI tract. Most people can consume nuts, seeds, and other food sources without hurting their stomachs. However, many people can be allergic to plant-based protein sources like nuts, seeds, and soy.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons to both sides. While plant protein offers you a comparatively safer and healthier source, whey is lighter in your pocket and offers accelerated and quick results. However, both of these sources have their own downfalls, and you need to be aware of them before you start consuming them.
According to us, we believe whey protein is a much better alternative when it comes to gaining reliable outputs in a shorter time. Having said that, make sure you choose whey protein Isolates; it is easy on your digestive health and buffs you quickly.
