There are not half as many women body builders out there as there are men especially when when looking for the best protein powder for female muscle gain. Body building is largely thought to be a men’s sport, but more and more women are coming out to give it a try and excel at it.
The main differences between men and women are not mostly gender based. They are as a result of body composition and general body size.
While gender may play a role, particularly due to hormonal activity, it is not the main reason for their different needs. Women tend to have better metabolic function and they are also better suited to handle fat and carbs.
Protein is an essential part of a body builder’s diet, whether male or female. This nutrient comes from a wide array of both plant and animal sources such as milk, eggs, meat, soy, beans, lentils, nuts and grains such as wheat.
When ingested into the body, they are broken down in the stomach into amino acids that act as body building agents. They also have the important roles of maintaining muscle integrity and repairing worn out tissue.
Many people experience different allergic reactions from different proteins. There are people that cannot take dairy products due to lactose intolerance, others have life-threatening reactions to nuts while others cannot digest gluten that comes from wheat.
There is, however, a wide array of products sourced from different foods, and a body builder with a certain allergy can resort to the use of an alternative for the same results.
Before delving into the different products, let us look into the different physiological characteristics that set females apart from male bodybuilders
Female vs male body builders
Metabolism
There is approximately 1/3 less muscle mass in females and twice as much body fat than in males. It is expected that more muscle and less fat equals a better metabolic rate.
However, research has proven that females have a tendency to oxidise more lipids and less carbohydrates during rigorous exercise as compared to the males. The process of oxidising amino acids is also lower in females than it is in males.
Fat distribution
Fat in the body of males is mainly deposited around the organs, mainly in the abdominal cavity (visceral fat) while fat in females’ bodies is mainly distributed in the region between muscles and skin (peripheral subcutaneous fat).
When visceral fa is broken down, it is usually sent into the liver, which can affect the liver’s insulin activity, causing an imbalance in blood sugar levels. Subcutaneous fat enters the blood circulation system, and exerts no effect on insulin function in the body.
Difference in muscle characteristics
Muscles in females have the ability to get more blood due to their capillary density which means that their muscles can get more oxygen at a time as compared to males.
The higher blood flow also facilitates the removal of metabolic waste. Higher capillary density also facilitates the oxidation of higher amounts of glucose and fatty acids.
What are the best protein powders for female weight and muscle gain?
Table comparison
1. Revel Whey Protein Powder
This powder is made from good quality weigh, and a serving gives a total of 25 grams of protein. This product is natural, and does not contain artificial flavouring, colour, gluten or soy.
Choline is added into its formula and it helps with enhancing your nervous system’s functions as well as cognitive ability. CLA has also been added, and it helps you lose weight and build muscle simultaneously.
It also has digestive enzymes that hasten digestion for fast absorption.
Pros
- Contains a high concentration of protein per serving
- It is natural and does not have artificial additives
- Contains choline which enhances nervous system function and cognitive ability.
- Contains digestive enzymes for optimal digestion
Cons
- Contains milk allergens
- Not suitable for vegans.
2. Perfect Keto Collagen Peptides Protein for Women
This powdered product is laden with grass fed collagen. Collagen is the most important amino acid for your body since it is essential in maintaining body structure. It is not found in the usual diet, and this product incorporates collagen obtained from cows fed on grass.
Medium chain triglycerides are also added to help you produce energy. There are no artificial additives in this product, and it is presented as natural as possible.
You can add it to your water, coffee, milk or smoothie. Each serving gives you 10% collagen. It is a filling product that will have you eat less, and it is gluten and dairy free.
Pros
- It has a lot of collagen necessary for maintaining body structure
- MCTs have been added into it for optimum energy levels in your body
- It has no artificial additives
- It is gluten and dairy free
- It is highly filling
Cons
- It is expensive for its size.
3. Isopure Zero-Carb Protein Powder
If you are observing a strict diet, this low carb protein powder is ideal for you. Isolated whey is used as the main component of his product. Each serving contains 24.2 grams of protein and delivers 97 calories.
The whey used is lactose free, and the product has no gluten in it. You need not worry if you are following a keto diet since this product will not affect it. You will also be able to choose from 8 different flavours.
Pros
- It has a high protein content per serving
- It is natural and has no artificial additives
- It is gluten free
- It is lactose free
- It is keto friendly
Cons
- It is an unsuitable product for vegans.
4. Julian Bakery Paleo Thin Egg White Protein Powder
This protein product is mainly obtained from egg whites. It is a flavourless powder that mixes instantly in water without clumping. The two main ingredients are sunflower lecithin and egg white powder.
Each serving will give you 25 grams of protein and is ideal for lean muscles. It is soy free and is without gluten.
Pros
- This product is natural and is without artificial additives
- It dissolves effortlessly in water without clumping
- Its flavourless nature makes it ideal to mix in a variety of foods without altering the taste of what you mix it with.
Cons
- It cannot be consumed by vegans
5. Her Natural Whey
This protein rich product is made from natural whey which comes from the milk of grass-fed cows. Each scoop of Her Natural Whey contains 20 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fat and 110 calories.
It has natural flavours and is gluten free. It is ideal for lean muscle development and weight loss. It can be mixed into water or any drink of your choice.
Pros
- It is gluten free
- It has no artificial additives
- It supports weight loss
- Enhances lean muscle development
Cons
- It has significantly less protein per serving than other brands
- It is more expensive than other whey based protein powders
- It is not suitable for vegans
6. Natural Force Organic Whey Protein Powder
This protein powder product is made from whey obtained from cows that are fed on grass throughout the year. It is gluten free, soy free and does not have any sugar added to it.
A scoop of this powder will provide you with 20 grams of protein, and its flavour is really light and will not overwhelm you. The product comes in 4 different flavours.
Pros
- It is made with natural products without artificial additives.
- It is soy free
- It does not have gluten
- It has a light flavour
- It comes in an assortment of flavours
Cons
- It has a lower concentration of protein than other products
- It is not ideal for vegans.
Conclusion
Being a successful body builder entails a gruelling routine that calls for commitment and a lot of discipline, gender notwithstanding.
Seeing that you will need to put in a lot of effort, it is comforting to know that you can have a little help from protein powders specifically formulated with the needs of female body builders in mind.
A good protein powder should be able to give you a balanced and comprehensive mix of amino acids. A great protein powder will also contain enzymes that help you be able to digest the protein fast to avoid protein wastage, bloating and gas build up in the body.
The most ideal protein powder will encourage muscle development which is the main goal in body building.
Choose a product that suits your needs and helps you achieve your body building milestones. Avoid a protein powder that may contain food items you may be allergic to such as lactose, gluten, soy, eggs and even nuts.
Do not forget to maintain a healthy diet that contains all nutrients in balanced portions. A protein supplement should not be seen as a food substitute.
Find out how Alby went from struggling to gain a single pound of muscle to an absolute beast in the gym in a very short time…