Does Protein Powder Have Caffeine?
Protein powder contains a number of added ingredients to enhance the physiological effect, nutritional composition, or taste. But does protein powder have caffeine?.
Caffeine is most commonly consumed as coffee at breakfast time or less commonly throughout the day. Adding protein to coffee or buying a protein powder with caffeine included is one of the latest popular trends in the health and fitness world.
Some of the physiological effects of caffeine include increased focus and energy, increased performance, and increased calorie burning. Combining the two may provide you with the best effects of both ergogenic aids in one supplement.
In this article, I’ve discussed ‘does whey protein have caffeine?’, looking at the main factors below.
Does Protein Powder Have Caffeine? Most protein powders don’t. But some protein powders are now containing caffeine as it becomes quite popular among the health and fitness community. This depends on the taste and the brand’s nutrition label.
Caffeine in Whey Protein Powder
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that’s one of the most commonly used ingredients in the world. It’s found mostly in coffee, tea, and cacao plants.
By stimulating your brain and central nervous system, it has several beneficial effects when consumed on its own or when added to whey protein powder.
Whey protein powder is made from whey using the liquid part of milk that separates during cheese production. It’s the watery byproduct formed as a byproduct.
By providing a convenient source of high-quality protein, it has several proven benefits. It provides the building blocks needed for muscle growth, helps to increase satiety, and reduces muscle breakdown among other things.
Supplement brands are now combining caffeine with protein powder to give you a great-tasting, nutritious shake that provides the benefits of both compounds.
Why Does Protein Powder Have Caffeine?
So with the increased popularity of caffeine-filled protein powder, why do protein shakes have caffeine in them? Here are some benefits:
1. Improved Workout Performance
Combining the two compounds may help to improve workout performance. When taken before exercise in large amounts, caffeine may help to improve muscle contractions and resistance to fatigue.
Protein provides the building blocks for muscles to grow and become stronger. It also helps to reduce hunger, especially important during longer-duration sessions
2. Meet Daily Protein Goals
If you’re wanting to build muscle, lose weight, or reduce muscle loss when dieting, consuming a protein powder provides a convenient way to add to your daily protein intake.
If you have a busy lifestyle and struggle to hit your daily protein goals, caffeine-filled protein shakes can be consumed on the go with little prep time and using delicious flavor combinations.
3. Increased Weight Loss
Caffeine can help improve weight loss by providing more energy to work and possibly increasing your metabolic rate during a workout session. With the satiety effects of protein powder well-known, combining the two gives you a great weight loss aid.
4. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
Both caffeine and whey protein have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to reduce inflammation and improve health.
Caffeine is an excellent source of phytochemicals, which is the main beneficial compound.
Tips for Choosing the Best Protein Powder With High Caffeine Content
When choosing the best protein powder with caffeine, follow the tips below:
1. Decide Your Workout Goals
The best protein powder with caffeine depends on your workout goals. If you’re trying to lose weight, look for a lower calorie powder with fewer carbohydrates and fat.
If you’re trying to bulk up, using a caffeinated protein powder with more calories might be the better choice.
2. Check the Caffeine Amount
Whilst the amount of caffeine included in protein powders isn’t huge compared to coffee, it still has an effect when consumed regularly and alongside other caffeine sources.
Look to consume around 3-6 mg of caffeine per kg body weight (~200-300 mg total). Anything above that may cause negative effects depending on individual tolerance.
3. Choose the Right Flavor
Popular caffeinated protein powder flavor choices include cappuccino, latte, mocha, and caramel. Consider the normal coffee flavor you like to drink and base your protein powder choice on that.
4. Consider Your Budget
Whatever your budget, cost should be taken into account. When deciding which one to buy, check the price of your caffeine protein powder and compare it to the quality before deciding if to purchase.
The price of protein powder can vary greatly depending on added ingredients and the quality of protein included. Make sure to take these factors into account before deciding on the most suitable choice for you.
Protein Powder With Caffeine We Recommend
The Dymatize ISO100 powder combines hydrolyzed whey and whey isolate with Dunkin mocha latte flavoring to give you a well-balanced, great-tasting protein powder.
Each 30-gram scoop contains 110 calories, 25 grams of protein, and 95 mg of caffeine. It has 5.5 grams of added BCAAs to aid muscle growth with 2.6 grams of the important amino acid leucine.
What’s great about the ISO100 is that it’s suitable as a shake or baked as a coffee-flavored mug cake. It also contains <1 gram of carbohydrates and fat.
Alternative Protein With Caffeine
A great alternative caffeine in protein powder combo is the Isopure Whey Protein Isolate Colombian Coffee powder. Each 33-gram serving contains 25 grams of protein, 110 calories, and 30 my of caffeine.
Isopure has included 5.5 grams of BCAAs and 4 grams of glutamine for muscle growth and recovery. It’s gluten and lactose-free, and contains zero sugar.
Protein Without Caffeine We Recommend
If caffeine in protein powder isn’t your thing, the Naked Whey from Naked Nutrition is an excellent choice. It combines high-quality grass-fed whey with raw cacao and coconut sugar.
Each 38-gram serving contains 160 calories, 25 grams of protein, and 8 grams of carbs. It’s a clean protein source that’s GMO-free, soy-free, and gluten-free.
FAQ
What Happens if You Drink Protein Shakes While Working Out?
Drinking protein shakes while working out will produce different effects depending on the workout type, workout duration, and individual response. Some people will get more energy whilst others will have digestive issues and feel nauseous.
Is It Safe to Consume Protein Powders That Have Caffeine?
Consuming protein with caffeine is safe as long as you monitor your overall daily intake. Consuming several cups of coffee alongside a protein powder with caffeine can lead to tremors, migraines, and insomnia.
Should You Buy Protein Powders That Have Caffeine?
Combining protein powder with caffeine is a great way to provide extra energy and focus. It also helps with fatigue resistance and muscle contraction. Therefore, buying a protein powder with caffeine is a good choice.
Conclusion
As health and fitness enthusiasts look for more ergogenic ingredient combinations, caffeine is becoming more common in protein powder.
Combined, the effects when taken can include increased energy and focus, increased calorie burning, increased muscle building, and decreased muscle breakdown.
Do you add caffeine to your protein powder? Do you use one that already has it included? Let’s discuss it below!
Also Read:
- Difference Between Isolate and Concentrate Whey Protein
- Best Unflavored Protein Powder
- Best Protein Powder For Diabetics
- Best Paleo Protein Powder
- Premier Protein vs Muscle Milk
- Protein Bars vs Shakes
- Ensure vs Premier Protein
- Oats In Protein Shake
- Best Whey Isolate Protein Powder
- Do Protein Shakes Make You Poop
References:
- Caffeine-Induced Effects on Human Skeletal Muscle Contraction Time and Maximal Displacement Measured by Tensiomyography // Ncbi: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8001539/
- Glycogen // Ceveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23509-glycogen
- The effect of caffeine on energy balance // Degruyter: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0090/html?lang=en
- Antioxidants: In Depth // Nccih: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth
- Phytochemical // ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/phytochemical
- Coffee and Caffeine — How Much Should You Drink? // Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-coffee-should-you-drink
- Future Protein Supply and Demand: Strategies and Factors Influencing a Sustainable Equilibrium // Ncbi: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532560/
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Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko
Certified Sports Nutritionist,
MSc Sports Dietetics
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist certified by the Fitness Professional Association (FPA). He follows the principles of evidence-based dietetics and fosters a healthy relationship with food in his clients, ensuring there are no strict prohibitions on their favorite foods or frequent lapses. His primary goal is not only to achieve results for you but also to sustain them over the long term, all while enjoying tasty and delicious food.
