We’ve been examining the current craze in the prepared foods industry for adding protein to prod-ucts to make them seem healthier. Perhaps the most extreme example of the phenomenon yet is the idea of adding protein to your morning coffee…
Protein-enhanced coffee has apparently not been embraced as a product oppor-tunity by the coffee industry – yet. But it’s certainly making its rounds in the ‘active’ community…
Enhance your workouts?
According to HealthLine, enthusiasts say pairing coffee (caffeine) with protein can enhance your morning workout, providing your muscles, “the building blocks they need to recover from exer-cise, grow, and become stronger.”
For its part, “Coffee is rich in caffeine, a natural stimulant that can improve your muscle’s contract-ions and resistance to fatigue when you consume it within 60 minutes before exercising.”
Meet your daily protein needs?
Going out on a limb – in my humble, layman’s opinion – enthusiasts also claim pairing coffee and protein can also help compensate for skipping breakfast. “Adding protein to coffee may help you spread out your protein intake more effectively.”
An aid to weight loss?
HealthLine also suggests he coffee-protein cocktail may help you lose weight and stay healthier while you’re doing that.
“Given that protein reduces hunger and promotes feelings of fullness, adding it to your coffee may help keep you fuller for longer,” helping control your appetite.”
“Protein may also provide a […] metabolism boost, because it requires your body to burn more cal-ories to break it down than do carbs or fats.” And, “[increased] protein intake may help you maintain muscle mass while losing body fat.”
Caffeine has potential weight loss benefits of its own. For instance, research suggests that it boosts your metabolism, lowers levels of hunger hormones, and raises levels of fullness hormones.
Nevertheless…
Medical and nutrition authorities agree, most of us get all the protein we need – and often more – in our regular daily diets. The excess is routinely broken down in the body and excreted in the urine. It can’t hurt you, but it might not help the average person, either.
My take
On point the HealthLine post makes that I can endorse is, “Although coffee with protein powder may benefit those who don’t typically eat or drink anything in the morning, it doesn’t likely help those who eat a balanced, protein-rich breakfast alongside regular coffee.
And a caveat: “Protein powders remain inferior to whole foods because whole sources of protein contain additional vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds seldom found in protein powders.”
So there!
~ Maggie J.