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When choosing cheap and high-quality protein from the many market offers, it is easy to get confused. Each manufacturer skillfully advertises its product, focusing on the advantages and hiding the disadvantages. The result is incorrect nutrition and decreased athletic performance. That is why an objective review of inexpensive mixtures and a reliable assessment of their pros and cons is important.
The best protein on the market – which one to choose?
Today's market is simply replete with protein-based dietary supplements. Moreover, if you read the label, then one is more beautiful than the other. Such a wide choice will confuse even bodybuilding veterans, let alone beginners. How to figure out which protein is best for you? To do this, we have compiled the top proteins based on reviews, price, purpose of use, taste, effectiveness and other features of the product. We evaluated all the products soberly, noting both their pros and cons, so on our list you will definitely find the drug that will solve the problems of your body specifically.
The best protein in the form of con class=”aligncenter” width=”440″ height=”372″[/img]
The standard of protein supplements is 100% Whey Gold Standard from the American company Optimum Nutrition. This sports nutrition has been ranked first in all protein ratings for several years in a row due to the fact that:
- 80% consists of a mixture of milk polypeptides, whey protein isolate and concentrate (at first glance, the percentage is small, but a good amino acid profile and the natural origin of the components ensure a truly high quality dietary supplement);
- enhanced with aminogen and lactase - enzymes that prevent the development of digestive problems;
- suitable for people with lactose intolerance;
- It is low in fat and carbohydrates;
- presented in 25 flavor variations (the taste is weakly expressed, unobtrusive);
- dissolves easily (it foams a little).
The product has become the manufacturer’s calling card and the key to its success (ask any bodybuilder which brand of protein is better, and he will answer unequivocally: “Optimum Nutrition”), as a result of which it is overpriced. If the financial component is decisive, pay attention to the British product MyProtein Impact Whey Protein. 82% protein, taste variety and reasonable price are its “trump cards”. The downside is that it has average solubility.
Highly concentrated protein shakes
The ranking of popular proteins is presented in the table.
Product name | % protein per 100 g of mixture | Cost in rubles per 1000 g | Photo |
Protein 90 from PowerSystem | 85,00 | 2660 | |
Protein 80 from QNT | 80,00 | 2000 | |
Whey Protein Complex 100% from Olimp | 75,00 | 1300 | |
Super-7 from Scitec | 70,00 | 2070 | |
Oh yeah! Total Protein System from OhYeah! Nutrition | 65,30 | 1600 | |
Whey Protein from Inner Armor | 60,00 | 1750 |
All prices in the table are approximate and may vary depending on the store that sells sports nutrition.
The Best Nutraceuticals with Whey Protein Isolate
Four times isolate of the year, Dymatize ISO-100 contains hydrolyzed isolate, which makes it quickly absorbed and suitable for any athlete’s goals - gaining muscle mass, cutting, losing weight. The number of lipids, sugars and lactose is close to zero. The feeling of discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract is excluded. But the positive properties of the best whey protein have led to its high cost.
A more affordable price is typical for BioTech ISO Whey Zero. The product has a rich amino acid composition and low levels of impurities. But the taste leaves something to be desired - bodybuilders complain about the obvious taste of chemicals.
How to take it correctly
When taking whey protein, you must adhere to mandatory rules. Otherwise, you will cause irreparable damage to the body and, on the contrary, worsen your shape. First, you need to consult with a trainer. He will prescribe your training conditions and, accordingly, the required doses. Typically, the average dose is 1-2 tablespoons of protein per day. If you do not get the desired effect from taking it, then change your diet.
Secondly, protein is most effective and absorbed faster if consumed immediately before or immediately after a workout. All processes and resources of the body are activated, and accordingly the substances will be absorbed faster in the body. Remember that the first effect will occur no earlier than 3-4 weeks after starting to take the protein. If you don't see any changes at all, consult a specialist. He will advise you to change the diet and composition of your diet, and will also give additional recommendations on changing sports nutrition to another.
We recommend mixing protein with juices and smoothies instead of water. The mixture will contain fast carbohydrates, and you will achieve maximum effect. Follow your daily routine and diet, and also create a schedule for taking sports nutrition. It is important to control your protein intake, as indiscriminate consumption will lead to poor health.
The best whey protein in hydrolyzed form
To synthesize hydrolyzate - a protein broken down into amino acids - you need special knowledge and professional equipment. Not every manufacturer can cope with this task. Therefore, we return again to Optimum Nutrition, in particular to its creation Platinum Hydro Whey. The best premium protein is characterized by:
- high BCAA content;
- the presence of seven food enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of complex substances and prevent the appearance of heaviness in the stomach;
- instant absorption;
- a wide selection of flavors (7 options (among them there is even Red Velvet cake), which is a lot for this type of protein);
- excellent solubility in water.
There are no disadvantages. Even the cost (as for hydrolyzate) is within normal limits.
Another top protein in its category is BioTech Hydro Whey Zero, which provides consumers with:
- an additional portion of L-arginine - an amino acid that dilates blood vessels and thus improves the trophism of muscle tissue and promotes pumping;
- nutrients even if you are lactose or gluten intolerant;
- four excellent tastes that completely mask the bitterness inherent in hydrolyzate with the help of the most useful sweetener - stevia;
- not only in large packages, but also in small samples, allowing you to check the effectiveness of a specialized additive and select the taste.
#10 – Fuze Protein Matrix Glutamine + Vitamin C
Price: 650 rubles
A good option with an inexpensive price. If you are not sure that you will not leave the gym in a month and do not want to spend money on something more premium, this is the best solution among the cheapest ones. There are several flavors to choose from: caramel, cookies, chocolate. Everything is not as cloying as is usually the case with budget sports nutrition. In reviews, customers report that when mixed with milk, hunger is satisfied for several hours.
The cocktail turns out thick, similar in consistency to drinking yogurt. Among the disadvantages is the high carbohydrate content, as much as 18.5 grams per serving. Because of this, people with sugar problems may want to look at another option.
Fuze Protein Matrix Glutamine + Vitamin C (750 g)
The most popular sports nutrition containing casein
Casein is a nighttime protein that gradually releases amino acids over 8–9 hours and thus protects the body from catabolism during sleep. It is not as important a nutritional supplement as whey protein, so cost is a key consideration in most cases.
100% Casein wins the “Best Premium Protein” category. The nutraceutical is produced by Optimum Nutrition, consists of micellar casein and keeps you full even after waking up. The powder is supplemented with the prebiotic polydextrose and the enzyme aminogen, which accelerate the processing of nutrients. The dietary supplement contains natural thickeners.
Which protein is the best among products at an affordable price? Ultimate Nutrition ProStar Casein. It contains a mixture of two types of casein:
- hydrolyzed – broken down to the level of amino acids, so it begins to act immediately after taking the drink;
- micellar - in the body it coagulates into a clot, which is slowly absorbed and delivers nutrients to the muscles within 5 - 7 hours.
The supplement is safe for people with lactose intolerance. But it does not form a liquid cocktail, but a thick protein mass.
Now let's talk about budget options. The best proteins in this group are Micellar Casein from MyProtein or OstroVit.
The first has a minimum of flavoring additives and sweeteners, but forms foam when preparing the additive.
The second (contrary to the name) does not contain micellar casein, but milk polypeptides, consisting of 80% slow casein protein and 20% fast whey protein. This composition allows you to begin to nourish muscle tissue within half an hour after drinking the cocktail.
No. 8 – R-Line Whey
Price: 1,300 rubles
Popular model in Russia. Supplied in a convenient jar with a screw-on lid, which ensures no problems during storage. The product mixes well even in cold milk, which allows it to outperform other available proteins. This option is well suited for athletes who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract - after taking this sports nutrition they do not get worse.
The taste is not chemical, which is also noted by the owners in the reviews. The downside is the lack of a scoop included, as well as the high carbohydrate content - 6.7 grams.
R-Line Whey
Dietary supplements for vegetarians
Which protein is best for gaining weight for an athlete who does not consume animal foods? MyProtein Vegan Protein Blend. Created specifically for vegetarians, it is rich in pea and bean protein isolate, has a complete amino acid profile and is characterized by a variety of flavors. Despite the fact that the manufacturer has recently improved the texture of the additive, it still does not mix well.
For those who prefer soy protein, Sojavit 85, produced by the Polish company Olimp Labs, is suitable. However, it is not recommended for stomach sufferers to take this drug: there are known complaints of heaviness in the abdomen after taking it.
Which protein is best for weight loss?
All of the above sports supplements are suitable for weight loss, except for multi-component products. However, for girls the best protein is SynTrax Nectar. Here's what can be said in its favor:
- ultrafiltered whey isolate;
- pleasant fruit and berry aromas;
- zero or less than 1% carbohydrates;
- minimum lipids;
- no lactose or gluten.
The mixture seems to be created for use during low-carb diets. But there was a fly in the ointment, in this case – strong foaming.
Now let’s support domestic production. Which protein is best for weight loss from Ukrainian supplements? Femine Pro from Power Pro - a branch of the Dutch company. This product is designed specifically for women who are losing weight and, in addition to whey protein, contains green coffee, hoodia, flour and bromelain - ingredients that have a fat-burning effect. One of the advantages of the dietary supplement is also the variety of tastes.
No. 7 – Maxler 100% Golden Whey
Price: 1,500 rubles
Another sports drink, supplied in a convenient jar. In terms of variety of flavors, this is one of the leaders: peanuts, banana, vanilla, chewing gum, cappuccino, strawberry, cream, hazelnut, muffin, ice cream, cookies, blueberries, chocolate. One jar is enough for 28 servings. Each contains 26 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat and 5 grams of carbohydrates. It is noteworthy that this product dissolves well even when mixed with water.
The creation of the manufacturer Maxler is quite popular and you can find it even in a provincial town. A definite plus is that you don’t have to wait for delivery from the Internet. In the reviews, we found mentions that the product really helps in building muscle mass, but we did not find any negative comments.
Maxler 100% Golden Whey