Protein Shakes: Benefits, Uses & Do They Really Work?

Protein shakes have become a very popular daily addition to many people's diets over the past few years. People use them for weight loss, weight gain and even weight maintenance. In a high protein, low carb diet such as Atkins, shakes are sometimes used up to three times a day.

Significance

• Protein is one of the three macronutrients. The other two are fats and carbohydrates. Without protein, all the cells in the body would not function properly.

Function

• Protein shakes have various functions. People who are deficient in protein use them to increase their intake.

Weight Loss

• Many people resort to protein shakes for weight loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking protein shakes will not take the weight off for you, since they still have calories. They recommend caloric restriction and exercise (see Resources).

Fullness

• Eating protein can keep you feel full longer, regardless if it is consumed in a shake or not. This will keep you from eating more later on.

Convenience

• If you are following a multiple meal plan and are always in a hurry, shakes can be a convenient way to get the right amount of protein you are looking for. You can also eat a piece of fruit with them to make it a more balanced meal.

Muscle

• Many bodybuilders get 200 to 300 g of protein per day from shakes. According to Martica Hearner from health.msn.com, adding this much protein to your diet will add fat to your body unless you are a very active bodybuilder (see Resources).