Does heating reduce the protein content of powders? By Vic Goyaram

CAN YOU HEAT PROTEIN DRINKS OR USE POWDERS IN HOT DRINKS AND RECIPES?

By Vic Goyaram for Bodybuilding Mauritius

People are often advised to not subject protein drinks to direct heat or use protein powder in hot recipes because heat "denatures the protein" and "decreases the protein content" and thus making the protein supplement less effective. This is not 100% correct. Protein molecules in nature have a certain structure, meaning they exist in different shapes and are folded in a certain way. This is what we mean by structure and this structure allows the protein to assume its functions, be it to act as an enzyme or as a transporter molecule etc. Heating does denature proteins which means that the structure of the protein changes.

When we as a bodybuilder eat a protein food or supplement our main aim is to get amino acids from it. Amino acids are the breakdown products of the protein and are re-used by the body for various functions, one being muscle protein synthesis. When we cook an egg we are denaturing the protein that is why it coagulates but we don't mind this, do we? Protein supplements (whey, casein etc) are no different.

In the case of whey protein, the heat may be altering some of the biological properties of the whey protein by denaturation (e.g bioactive peptides present in whey protein) but it is in no way reducing the protein content. The body will still get the amino acids unless you completely burn the protein or the food comes out as "charcoal" from the oven, microwave or stove in which case the amino acids themselves may be degraded.

I have explained the issue of protein denaturation in quite some detail in the article on raw v/s cooked eggs. Click here to read. That being said, let me share with you one recipe to beat the boredom out of consuming protein powders. 

PROTEIN FUDGE QUICK RECIPE

Add two scoops of protein powder (40g powder) to a mug, add enough milk to dissolve the protein into a thick paste. Then add 1 large spoon of peanut butter. Stir into a paste. Then microwave the whole thing for about two minutes. Keep and eye it to avoid burning it or turn it into rubber. It will become like a cake. Yes, protein powder becomes food! I am eagerly waiting payday so that I can start making this recipe.

Approximate nutritional content:

Protein 37g

Carbs 5g

Fats 10g

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©,2013, Veeraj Goyaram, Bodybuilding Mauritius. Any reprinting in any type of media is prohibited.

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