In the world of sports supplements, there is no powder, pill or shake more popular than protein. Proteins are popular for good reasons too, providing athletes and fitness enthusiasts with a convenient way to provide their body with the power they need to perform at their peak.

Where many people struggle is choosing what type of protein works best for them. A quick search for protein powder can leave an athlete overwhelmed, delivering thousands of results that all seem to be promising the same thing. The key to choosing the right protein for you, however, is knowing how each type works and affects your body, muscles and mind.

Protein: The Power Supplement

Proteins are the building blocks of muscle, supporting the growth and maintenance of body tissue to help increase your strength gains and reach your peak performance levels.

Aside from its muscle maintaining benefits, protein helps keep hunger at bay to promote fat loss throughout the body. After using a protein supplement, your appetite becomes nearly non-existent as your body burns off calories stored in your fat to keep you moving and energized all throughout your training session or the big game.

Without adequate protein, our bodies simply can’t put together the structures that make up every cell, tissue and muscle in our body, leaving our performance falling flat with no substance to aid in recovery. Unlike solid forms of protein – those found in eggs, meats, nuts and other foods – protein powders are quickly digested, broken down, and distributed throughout the body for almost immediate effects and maximum results.

Understanding the Types of Protein Powders

Just walk in your local health store or run a search on your favorite sports supplement website, and you’re likely to come across hundreds of protein-enriched supplements, powders and pills. So, which one should you choose to help reach your body’s peak potential? Follow along as we explore some of the most power-packed protein powders on the market.

• Whey Protein Powder:

One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re always within arm’s reach of the protein your body needs, whey protein has quickly become the go-to protein supplement for professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and health experts alike.

Whey proteins come in two basic forms – isolates and concentrate blends. A whey protein isolate is the product of heavy filtration, removing most of the excess to leave only power-packed, quick digesting protein powder behind to help maximize muscle growth and recovery. Whey protein isolates are ideal for any athlete looking to make the most of their everyday performance, quickly recovering , repairing and building muscle tissue to keep you on top of your game.

On the other hand, a whey protein concentrate is not as pure as an isolate, but can still help with general health and leanness of your muscle. One of the more basic forms of protein powders on the market, beginners looking for an inexpensive sports supplement solution can use a whey concentrate to get them started on a new training regimen before building up to using a whey protein isolate powder.

• Plant-Based Proteins

Plant-based proteins include those proteins from brown rice, peas, soy and other plant sources. While not too popular with the majority of bodybuilders, these plant-based options are perfect for vegans, vegetarians or anyone with a lactose intolerance looking to boost their protein intake.

Similar to whey protein isolates, a plant-based protein powder typically features almost no artificial ingredients or sweeteners. Furthermore, plant-based protein options are packed with antioxidants, fiber and omega-3s that can keep your body and muscles primed to perform.

• Casein Protein Powders

If you are looking for a protein that slowly breaks down throughout the day to keep your muscles moving, a casein protein powder might be the ideal solution. Casein typically takes 5 to 7 hours to fully break down in the bloodstream, making it an ideal option for overnight recovery while you sleep or staying constantly supplied with small doses of protein throughout your day.

Most forms of casein protein come in blends, mixing slow releasing and fast-digesting proteins to provide the body with a long-term stream of protein throughout the day. Start your morning off with a nice breakfast shake to help obliterate hunger and promote fat loss, or use a casein powder right before bed for overnight recovery to help you start your day primed to perform.

Why Go with Whey Isolate Powder

We mentioned early on that whey isolate powders are the preferred sports supplement for everyone from professional athletes to fitness novices, and part of this reasoning can be linked to the biological value of a whey protein isolate.

Biological value is a figure that represents how well a protein source is digested, distributed and used throughout the body. When the system was introduced, eggs were given the highest biological value (100) since they provide the body with the most bio-available natural protein when compared to other foods. In the years since, the scale has come to include proteins the body receives from sources other than solid foods. Of these new protein sources, only whey protein isolate scored higher than 150.

If you’re looking to take your workout and performance to the next level, incorporating a whey protein isolate into your daily routine may be the solution. Give your body the power-packed protein it needs to reach its peak with help from the sports supplements by G6 Sports. Revolutionizing the sports supplement industry one product at a time, the team of sports nutritionists at G6 is committed to maximizing your every movement on your way to improved performance, endurance and recovery. Experience the STI difference and start making the most of your workout with help from G6 Sports.