Protein Powder With Coffee: Benefits and Downsides

1. Improves exercise performance

Taking coffee and protein powder an hour before exercising can provide you with an immediate energy boost and enhance your workout.

Coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant that can improve your muscles’ resistance to fatigue.  Protein powder, on the other hand, gives your muscles what they need to become stronger and recover from exercises.

The heat from the coffee denatures the protein just enough for digestion, and it is absorbed faster by your body.

2. Promotes weight loss

The combination of coffee and protein can promote satiety, meaning it makes you feel full for longer. Caffeine can enhance metabolism and reduce the levels of hunger hormones produced by the body. Protein makes you feel fuller and demands more energy from the body to digest than carbohydrates or fats. Decreasing your appetite can help you eat fewer calories throughout the day, which should aid with weight reduction.

3. Helps you meet your daily protein requirements

If you regularly skip breakfast, adding protein powder to your coffee can help you meet your daily protein requirements.

It is best to eat protein over several meals throughout the day, and starting your morning with protein can help you spread out your intake more effectively.

However, eating a nutritious and balanced breakfast is the best way to fulfill your protein requirements since doing so provides you with other important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

4. Improves cognitive function 

Coffee can promote mental alertness and even alleviate depression by connecting to adenosine receptors. Protein powders contain vitamins A, B, and C, which are important for proper brain function.

Combined, coffee and protein powder can help boost overall cognitive function and make you feel sharper throughout the day. Many protein powders contain additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that, when combined with caffeine, can give you the boost of energy you need.

5. Acts as a flavor booster

Protein powder can improve the flavor of your coffee and even serve as a substitute for sweetener and/or creamer since many protein powders are flavored.

Adding protein powder to coffee can cause some side effects, especially if you have underlying health conditions and don’t use the right amount.

The amount of protein powder you can add to your coffee depends on your weight and activity level. If you take more than the recommended amount, you can experience unpleasant side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. 

If you are taking any drugs (stimulants, antibiotics, asthma, or heart medications), you should talk to your doctor about whether protein powder will interact with any of your medications.

Caffeine should be avoided by those who have heart disorders, sleep difficulties, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, or an overactive bladder.

It is also important to keep in mind that some protein powders are high in sugar and artificial additives, so make sure you purchase a high-quality powder from a reputable supplier.

If you use an animal-based protein powder, whey isolate or concentrate protein powder is recommended. Hydrolyzed whey can make the coffee taste bitter, whereas casein proteins can alter the consistency of coffee and make it more difficult to drink.

If you use a plant-based protein powder, look for a combination that uses various plant sources (such as pea, chia, hemp, or brown rice) and read reviews to make sure that it does not contain excessive amounts of heavy metals.

Opt for protein powders that are low in sugar and enriched with vitamins and minerals that can support your immune system.

You can add protein powder to your coffee in various ways:

• Simple brew coffee and add some protein powder to it.
• Dissolve the protein powder in milk or creamer and then add it to your coffee.
• Make a protein shake in a blender and add some coffee or 1-2 shots of espresso.

Some protein powders can clump when added to extremely cold or hot beverages, so add a little at a time while stirring. 

For iced coffee, fill a large tumbler halfway with ice, add 2-3 shots of cooled espresso and protein powder, then add a dash of cinnamon before serving. Replace the ice with 4 ounces of brewed coffee or 2-3 shots of hot espresso for hot coffee.