Every day, article upon article is published online seeking to answer the question “does protein powder work to build muscle?” Mostly, people argue that “yes, protein powders (primarily in the form of protein shakes) work”- with work meaning = they build muscle. They say that you NEED protein powder to put on size and gain strength.
Truth is, you don’t. Hear us out:
Protein powders aren’t magic. They are FOOD. Just food.
Why do people consume them? Because they’re a convenient way to get protein in one’s diet. What is protein? A key macronutrient that’s in charge of both sustaining and building muscle mass. It is a primary element of the function of living bodies. Without protein? Hasta la vista, baby – we’d be unable to survive. We couldn’t rebuild our bodies’ muscle, tissue, or organs. We couldn’t function. We NEED protein. But ingesting protein in isolation (whether it be from protein powder or say… chicken breasts) won’t magically ‘work’ to build new muscle mass. Without serious resistance training work at the gym, protein is just… food.
The reason people ask whether they ‘work’ is because they’ve been lied to. They’ve been misled into thinking that protein powders are somehow ‘magical.’ That anyone wanting to sculpt a god-like physique NEEDS them.
Of course, you need protein to sustain – and build – muscle mass so taking in extra protein, from whichever source you prefer, is beneficial. Extra protein CAN (when smartly ingested alongside resistance training) help you gain muscle. Equally, when coupled with resistance training, extra protein can yield greater fat loss. But that’s any protein – not JUST powders. That’s protein from wherever you prefer to get it. And that’s alongside resistance training. Without you putting in the work, protein alone, no matter where it comes from, won’t give you a Hulk-like figure.