Protein shakes before bed have benefits
A number of studies conducted in recent years have concluded that drinking a protein shake after working out aids in muscle recovery/growth and improves lean body mass. This statement refers to supplements made from pure whey protein isolate, like FlexFitPro, which contains the essential amino acids that are the building blocks of muscle. There are a number of different brands on the market, many of which do not fit those parameters and vary significantly in quality, so be sure to read the fine print.
A lot of folks wonder what an ideal protein shake drinking schedule would look like. That may be due to the fact that, in most studies completed to date, subjects are instructed to take their supplement shake in the early part of the day after a workout. Recent information on the topic indicates that taking your shake in the morning is not the only way to get good results.
There is evidence that consuming protein shakes before bed at night also has its share of benefits. “According to a review published in Frontiers in Nutrition, existing findings nevertheless suggest that overnight sleep is a unique nutritional window for boosting muscle gains — while late-night protein calories needn’t increase body fat.” [1]
The benefits
Whether you choose to drink your protein shakes before bed or any other time in the day is actually more of a question of personal preferences along with your primary goal. For example, if your main focus is weight loss, then you need to make sure that the extra calories from your shake are added in when meeting your maximum for the day. Planning to have your shake after dinner? Ensure that you eat less during the meal to allow for the extra calories later.
If your priority is muscle growth, then taking it at night is a promising option. “Several one-night studies have shown pre-sleep protein intake increases muscle protein synthesis during overnight sleep in young adults.”[2] The results indicate that the body can more efficiently use protein to build muscle mass during sleep cycles.
Figure out what works best for you and your body
From various other research, however, we know that taking a protein shake in the morning after weight-bearing exercise also encourages muscle growth. The bottom line is that you can reap the benefits whether you like drinking protein shakes on an empty stomach upon waking or at night before bed. Figure out what works best for your body, and develop your personal routine.
FlexFitPro is designed to provide the purest form of whey protein, with all the amino acids that are the essential building blocks for muscle. Try one of our delicious flavors today