Beef Protein Vs. Whey Protein
Gym goers are essentially always on the lookout for the next “big” protein supplement out there. Why do we love protein so much? The answer is pretty simple.
Protein, in any form, helps maximize muscle hypertrophy in the human body.
It also helps with weight loss while simultaneously preventing muscle loss. In the end, your body is likely to experience a reduced need for food cravings, increased calorie burn, and a shredded physical appearance.
Why Do We Need Protein Supplements?
Our body requires protein for various vital functions. This essential nutrient is responsible for facilitating communication between cells and even makes up many hormones that are responsible for carrying out an endocrine role.
The recommended daily protein consumption for a regular adult today is about 0.8 grams per KG of one’s body weight.
For a gym-goer, the required protein intake increases to nearly as much as 2x the recommended quantity.
You typically find protein in eggs, beef, chicken, milk, and tuna. However, eating these foods daily for the sake of supplying your body with the required levels of protein it needs can become challenging. This is where protein supplements enter the picture.
Beef Protein Vs. Whey Protein – Which Is the Better Choice?
If you’ve been hitting the gym for some time now, you’re likely to be familiar with whey protein.
It continues to be one of the most popular types of protein supplements. Naturally, when a similar alternative hits the market, you cannot help but be curious.
People who have tried beef protein claim that it is as good as whey protein. Some people even claim its superiority over the formerly beloved whey protein. Not one to come to conclusions based on people’s opinions, we did our research.
Some people happily switched to beef protein. It may prove helpful to know that beef protein has a lower bioavailability and leucine content than whey protein. However, there are others who believe that whey protein tastes and mixes better than their beef counterpart.
In the following article, we break down the differences and similarities (if any) between beef protein and whey protein:
Their Make-up
Simply put, whey protein is derived from milk, while beef protein is cow-sourced.
The fact that beef is a rich source of protein is something that we have known for quite some time now. However, we consumed beef as steak up until recently, with beef protein supplements entering the market.
Whey protein, when it is in isolated versions, contains high amounts of protein. This is because of its high concentration of essential amino acids and leucine.
Whey protein acts as excellent dietary aids to facilitate more significant muscle gains and fat-free body mass.
Beef protein supplements aim to offer the same benefits. However, studies do suggest that while both beef and whey protein serve a common end goal, the latter showed a greater anabolic response.
Digestion & Absorption
Beef protein has a lower biological value than whey protein. Biological Value(BV) indicates how well a protein supplement absorbs into the human body. The BV of whey protein stands at 104, which is the highest to date. Beef protein has a BV of about 60.
The higher the BV of a protein supplement, the more easily and quickly it digests.
Mixability
This is another area where whey protein takes the cake. The mixability of whey protein varies from product to product. However, it generally mixes better than beef protein. With the latter, you may have to be a little more enthusiastic while mixing it in your shaker cup.
Beef Protein Does Not Contain Milk
If you are lactose intolerant but still want to ensure that your body gets the required protein dosage, beef protein may be the way to go. Unlike whey protein, it does not contain milk but is still loaded with protein.
Optimal Dosage
One of the burning questions that comes to everyone’s mind when it comes to any protein supplement is, “how much is too much”? Overconsumption is as undesirable as under-consumption.
The human body appears to have a minimum threshold of about three to six grams of leucine to turn on skeletal muscle anabolism. Our body needs the essential amino acids to get started or continue on its muscle protein synthesis process.
Many studies show that whey protein contains many of the amino acids that our body needs for good muscle health. Researches also make similar claims for beef protein.
But truth be told, there aren’t that many solid studies yet that prove beef protein contains about the same or more vital amino acids than whey protein.
Countless studies outline some differences between whey and beef protein in terms of their dosage. According to them, older adults require about 36 grams of beef protein to stimulate their muscle protein synthesis.
For whey protein, the dosage is about 40 grams. The same studies indicate that younger adults may need about just 20 grams of whey protein for the same.
Conclusion – Beef Protein Vs. Whey Protein
Studies suggest that whey protein contains all nine essential amino acids that the human body needs but cannot create by itself.
Athletes commonly ingest whey protein because of its ability to facilitate increased muscle strength and mass. It absorbs quickly in the human system (as fast as 40 minutes).
After a workout, your body continues to burn muscle. Consuming protein supplements post workout helps in getting it out of the ‘negative nitrogen balance’ state.
Whey protein also contains high leucine levels, which your body needs for increased stimulation of muscle protein synthesis.
On the other hand, beef protein is extracted from the muscle tissue of bovines.
However, many beef protein users are skeptical and say that it may actually be made up of gelatin, which is derived from wasted beef parts. In that case, beef protein will likely have a lower protein content than their whey counterpart.
Regardless of this debate between beef protein and whey protein consumers, the choice is up to you.
You may find a product (beef or whey) that works for you despite what people say. Make your own judgement accordingly.
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