About Liquid Protein Supplements

Liquid protein supplements are designed to assist post-workout muscle recovery, promote muscle growth and replace meals. The main ingredients are amino acids--such as whey and casein--which are the building blocks of protein. These amino acids are also the building blocks of muscle in the body.

Benefits

• Whey protein is quickly digestible and assists immediate muscle recovery, while casein digests more slowly and assists in long-term muscle growth. Liquid protein supplements can also help individuals who don't eat a lot of meat get in their recommended daily allowance of protein.

Types

• The amount of calories, carbohydrates and fats changes greatly. Shakes without fat or carbohydrates are designed purely as a way to get more protein, while shakes with carbohydrates and fats are produced for pre-workout and post-workout purposes.

Misconceptions

• No individual amino acid is best. The body needs all 20 essential amino acids build muscle. The best protein shakes will have the word "blend" on the label.

Warning

• Most liquid protein supplements contain dairy products. Read the labels on liquid protein supplements always, especially if you are lactose intolerant.

Expert Insight

• Make sure the label has BCAAs somewhere in the ingredients. Quality protein supplements contain branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs contain helpful digestive enzymes so the body can process the protein more efficiently.