Question:
Dear Mr. Whey Protein Fiend, I need some information. I want to know something: how does whey protein work different to other types of protein? It must do something which other types of protein don’t or it wouldn’t be so popular, right? Is this a dumb question?
TIA
Ben
Answer:
Ben, it’s not a dumb question, as you are half-right. Whey protein does work slightly different to other types of protein, which is precisely why it’s so popular.
Different types of protein have different types of BV – that stands for biological value – and that means how available that protein is to be used by your body. Egg used to be the highest BV complete protein until whey protein came on the market and usurped it.
Along with it’s high availability, it also has a very fast absorption rate. At certain times – such as in the morning or after training – it’s important to get enough protein into your system as quickly as possible to restart repair and growth again. Taking in a slow acting protein during this time is not the best thing you can do for yourself, so by taking in a fast acting protein – whey protein, for instance – you give your body a protein that’s highly available – and available right there and then, pretty much.
Of course, whey protein supplements are also popular because of convenience and flavor.