Whey protein is king when it comes to building muscle mass, but did you know that it is just as powerful as a weight loss aid?
1. Increases hormones that suppress hunger
Whey protein is made up of several bioactive components or small molecules that have a strong impact on our body. Glycomacro protein (GMP) is one that can play a major role in appetite suppression. GMP has been shown to enhance the secretion of the stomach hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). CCK plays a big role in sending feelings of satiety to the brain which can encourage you and make it easier for you to leave the fork. A study published in the journal Appetite showed that. The researchers gave the subjects regular whey protein or GMP-removed protein before sitting down for an all-you-can-eat meal. Subjects who consumed regular whey ate much less than the other group of respondents.
2. It signals the availability of fuel in the brain
Whey protein contains more leucine than any other protein source. In addition to its role in building muscle, leucine is thought to have a direct effect on the feeling of satiety. In a study published in the Journal of Science, researchers injected supplemental leucine into a group of mice. Then, after a short period of starvation, two groups of mice were exposed to an unlimited amount of food. Both groups gained weight over the next 24 hours but those mice given leucine gained only one-third of the weight gained by the control group. When you consume whey rich in leucine, leucine sends a signal of "available fuel" to the mTOR complex. As a result, mTOR sends a signal to the hypothalamus to regulate appetite, which helps you feel full.
3. Stabilizes blood sugar
Hunger is one of the consequences of low blood sugar. After a meal, especially one rich in carbohydrates (especially simple ones), the blood sugar level jumps, but shortly after that, the insulin level rises to keep the blood sugar level within normal limits. A rapid rise in blood sugar levels and an insulin response can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar. This is all preparation for a hunger strike.
Whey helps to avoid this response, helping to maintain a stable blood sugar and appetite levels for hours after a meal. Whey has a great influence on the release of two incretins. Glucagon Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-Dependent Insulin-Tropic Polypeptide (GIP) [6-8] Incretins work to improve insulin response to meal to ensure proper blood sugar control.
Whey helps maintain stable level and energy but also appetite, without a massive rise in blood sugar levels and insulin response which would ultimately lead to feelings of hunger.
