Protein powders with a little something extra.Updated 24 days ago
When it comes to nutrition, protein powder is typically more of a nice-to-have, not a must-have. If you’re a casual to moderate exerciser, chances are you get enough protein to support your body simply by eating a balanced diet. With that said, getting in a little extra protein to help your muscles rebuild and repair can be great, especially if that protein has a few added benefits. Here are our favorite multi-tasking protein powders that support more than just your muscles.
Sunwarrior Vegan Collagen Building Protein Peptides
If you’re currently using a collagen-based protein powder, we have bad news for you—your body can’t turn collagen into more collagen, and many of the benefits of consuming collagen are lost unless you’re taking it on its own on an empty stomach. This protein powder contains whole-food ingredients that are proven to help your body synthetize its own collagen, a much better way to keep skin, joints, and tissue healthy.
The low protein requirement of a true ketogenic diet can be tough to adjust to, especially if you’re active. This option from Ancient Nutrition combines powerhouse superfoods, adaptogens, and MCTs with bone-broth based protein to increase energy, improve gut health, and support ketosis (if you’re into that kind of thing). Note that this protein powder is not vegetarian, but it’s an excellent nutrient-dense option for meat eaters.
Four Sigmatic Plant-Based Protein with Superfoods
You might know Four Sigmatic from their mushroom-infused instant coffee, and their protein powder has the same superfood benefits. Mushrooms like Lion’s Mane are unique in the superfood arena in that they’ve been the subject of true clinical studies proving their efficacy in immune function, as well as brain and nervous system support.
Sometimes the simplest option is the best option. If you can tolerate milk products, whey protein is one of the most bioavailable forms of protein. Its wide range of amino acids make it particularly great for muscle growth as well as wound healing, meaning you’ll bounce back from tough gym sets even quicker.