Casein protein is a milk-based product known for digesting slowly enabling you to stay satiated longer and inhibiting muscular breakdown. The Bodybuilding.com Signature 100% Casein provides 25 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram of fat, and 0 grams of sugar per 33 gram scoop. While whey protein starts breaking down in the stomach, casein protein tends to bypass the stomach and digests slowly in the small intestine [1]. Athletes will take advantage of this slower absorption rate by consuming it multiple hours before a workout, during long stretches between meals, or before sleeping in order to limit muscular breakdown. Although some individuals are worried that a late night feeding may disrupt their bodies natural fat breakdown during sleep, studies have shown that consumption of casein before bed didn’t have that effect [2].
Although recent research has questioned the validity of protein timing, your performance-supporting nutrition should be considered on a 24-hour basis [3]. So if the goal is to have enough total protein in your body during the day, casein supplementation can help you optimize your body’s protein balance to ensure that you have enough amino acids to stimulate protein synthesis and prevent muscular breakdown throughout the day [4].
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