Running is a brilliant hobby to get involved with. It is a great way of burning calories and lessening your risk of cardiovascular disease. Running improves not only your physical health but your mental health too.
Protein shakes are popular with athletes. Nowadays, these shakes come in a variety of different delicious flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. They are commonly consumed before or after a workout.
However, this raises the question of whether you should drink a protein shake before or after exercising. Discover the answers below.
Should You Drink A Protein Shake Before A Run?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to drink a protein shake before going for a run. You can still experience the benefits of protein shakes (more on that later) before completing a run or jog.
Many people find it better to have a protein shake before running than a heavy breakfast. This is because you can suffer from a stitch, a painful sensation in your abdomen.
Many people believe that eating too much food before exercising can cause side stitches.
Does It Matter When You Have A Protein Shake?
This is a rather controversial topic. Some people maintain that it is better to have a protein shake after you have completed the exercise. This is due to something called the “anabolic window”.
The anabolic window is a theory that muscles best absorb protein directly after exercising.
This period is said to last between 15 and 30 minutes. As a result, people looking to increase their muscle mass usually eat a lot of protein within this timeframe.
However, there is little evidence to suggest that the anabolic theory works.
Studies have proven that it does not matter when you consume protein. Very few people noticed a difference between consuming before or after the workout.
There is no danger in trying the anabolic window, so you should test whether you experience any results with it.
In our experience, it does not matter whether you have a protein shake before or after your workout. Ideally, you should try to drink this shake as close to a workout as possible.
While your body will still absorb protein hours after exercising, you will feel its full effects if you have it just before or after a workout.
As a consequence, it is not recommended that you wait a couple of hours before drinking this shake.
The good news about the flexibility of consuming protein shakes is that it means you can have one whenever it is convenient for you. Just find what works best for you.
Can You Drink A Protein Shake During An Exercise?
Yes, you can drink a protein shake during your workout. However, this may not be the optimal way of consuming protein.
When you exercise, you become dehydrated. This is due to the way that your body produces sweat as a method of cooling down.
The body struggles to store nutrients when it is dehydrated. Consequently, it may not fully absorb the protein you have consumed.
Therefore, we do not recommend having your protein shake during the workout. Instead, you should opt for water, which will keep you hydrated. You can drink the shake before or after the workout.
Of course, everyone is different. Therefore, if you have experienced benefits when you have taken a protein shake during your workout, then you can continue to use this method.
What Are The Benefits Of Protein Shakes?
If you exercise regularly and wish to perfect your body, you should consider drinking protein shakes. There are tons of reasons why they are so popular, including:
Protein Shakes Build Muscle
The primary reason why people turn to protein shakes is that they help grow muscles.
Therefore, if you are looking to increase your muscles because you wish to enhance your strength or have larger muscles, protein can be incredibly useful.
They Taste Great
Because protein shakes have become so widely used, there are more flavors available.
Aside from the more common flavors, you can also get niche variations of protein shakes. Some of the best flavors to try are banana, peanut butter, strawberry, and caramel.
There are also special and limited edition versions that have unique flavors.
Shakes Are Convenient
Trying to boost your protein intake quickly can be difficult. Thankfully, these shakes are easy to consume and enable you to consume vast quantities of protein in one convenient drink.
They Can Support Weight Loss
If you wish to lose weight instead of or alongside muscle building, protein shakes can be advantageous.
They make you feel full, meaning that you are less likely to eat foods that can contribute to weight increase. Just make sure that you get a low-fat alternative.
Shakes Enhance Metabolism
Metabolism is a bodily process that converts what you consume into energy. Consequently, your calorie burning will be increased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Protein Shakes Make You Fat?
No, protein shakes should not be making you fat. They are intended to have the opposite effect, either increasing your muscle mass or causing you to lose weight.
If you find that your body fat percentage is increasing after using protein shakes, it might be because you are incorrectly using these shakes. You might need to adjust your meal plans to compensate.
Can You Drink Protein Shakes On A Rest Day?
Rest days are a brilliant way for your body to recover after days of working out. They also lower the chance of you developing injuries.
While you may not need as high a protein intake on rest days as on days that you exercise, it is still important to consume decent amounts of protein.
To increase your protein absorption, you can drink a shake on your rest day.
Closing Remarks
Whether you are a runner or weightlifter, protein shakes can be incredibly beneficial to athletes.
Perhaps one of the main advantages of these drinks is the fact that you can either have them before or after a run.
This makes it super simple to customize your protein intake, allowing you to have it whenever you want!
Hi, I’m Richard Harris and I have been running for almost 20 years now. Since a young teenager with a little baby fat still clinging on for dear life, I have been obsessed with this simple form of cardio.
Not only have I enjoyed running every single day for two decades, but I have also been fascinated by the countless marathons and races offered around the USA. I love watching these races, and I’ve even participated in some of them too!
