Benefits of Drinking Equate High Protein Shakes and Smoothies

What is the Equate Protein Drink?

The Equate protein drink is a nutritious beverage sold exclusively at Walmart stores. It contains high quality whey protein powder to help build lean muscle and support exercise recovery. The affordable Equate brand offers several protein shake options to meet different dietary needs.

Whey Protein Content

Whey is one of the primary proteins found in dairy products. During cheese production, liquid whey gets separated from curd, the source of most milk proteins. Whey contains high levels of branched-chain amino acids like leucine which stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

Most Equate protein drinks derive their protein from whey protein isolates or concentrates. These whey forms have low fat and lactose levels for easier digestion. Each serving provides 20-30 grams of protein.

Types of Equate Protein Drinks

Equate offers several ready-to-drink shake varieties as well as powders to mix protein shakes at home:

• Equate Plus Protein Shake - Available in chocolate and vanilla flavors, it contains 30g protein and 250 calories per bottle.
• Equate High Performance Shake - With 25g protein and 170 calories per serving, it promotes lean muscle growth and has added vitamins.
• Equate Light & Fit Protein Shake - This option has 20g protein and 90 calories per bottle.
• Equate Whey Protein Powder - Sold in popular flavors like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, it provides 20-25g protein per scoop.

Benefits of Equate Protein Drinks

Drinking Equate protein shakes offers many potential health perks. Here are some of the top benefits:

Builds and Repairs Muscle

Whey protein is considered a complete protein, meaning it provides all nine essential amino acids. Consuming enough protein spurs muscle protein synthesis, the process of generating new muscle tissue. The amino leucine is particularly important for muscle growth after exercise.

Clinical studies show whey protein paired with resistance training can significantly increase muscle mass and strength over time. The high leucine content helps accelerate workout recovery.

Boosts Metabolism

Protein requires more calories for your body to break down and metabolize compared to fats or carbs. Your metabolism gets elevated by around 80-100 calories for a few hours after drinking a protein shake.

This temporary increase in resting metabolic rate helps your body burn slightly more calories. Over time, consuming adequate protein levels helps avoid loss of calorie-burning lean muscle when trying to lose fat.

Improves Satiety

Research indicates higher protein diets increase feelings of fullness compared to low protein plans. This satiating quality can prevent overeating and snacking throughout the day.

One study had participants consume a 300-calorie snack with varying protein amounts. The 30 gram protein snack suppressed hunger hormones better than lower protein options over the next few hours.

Provides Nutrient Support

In addition to quality protein content, Equate shakes contain carbs, vitamins and minerals. Fortification with vitamins C, D, calcium, iron and zinc helps cover nutritional gaps that some athletes and busy adults may experience.

Plus the shakes offer hydration to recharge after strenuous workouts. Chocolate and flavored options appeal to taste preferences as a refreshing post-gym beverage.

Who Should Drink Equate Protein Shakes?

Here are some of the people who stand to benefit most from adding Equate protein drinks to their daily diet or exercise recovery routine:

Strength Trainers

Anyone looking to gain muscle from resistance training should ensure adequate protein consumption for optimal results. Consuming a shake with 25-30 grams protein shortly after lifting weights provides the building blocks to boost hypertrophy.

Endurance Athletes

From runners to cyclists to soccer players, endurance athletes need higher dietary protein to heal strained muscles. Portable protein drinks while training help maintain mid-workout energy levels too.

Older Adults

Age-related muscle wasting, also called sarcopenia, causes frailty and mobility issues. Research verifies increased protein intake preserves more lean body mass as we get older. Easy-to-drink shakes provide protein older adults often lack.

Dieters

When cutting calories to lose weight, getting enough protein prevents the body from breaking down muscle for fuel. Protein shakes help dieters retain metabolic-boosting muscle while slimming down.

Busy People

Equate ready-to-drink bottles save prep time compared to homemade smoothies or protein powders. They offer an on-the-go breakfast, snack or light meal for those with hectic lifestyles. A quick protein fix keeps energy and focus levels high all day.

Possible Side Effects of Equate Protein Shakes

For most healthy people protein shakes are safe and come with minimal side effects. Those with underlying kidney issues or lactose intolerance may experience some adverse impacts like:

Digestive Issues

Drinking protein shakes often leads to extra gas, bloating, cramping and diarrhea issues if consumed too quickly. This gives your gut bacteria less time to break down lactose and other ingredients properly.

Sipping slowly instead of gulping down shakes minimizes indigestion problems. Consider switching to a plant-based or lactose-free protein powder if GI distress persists.

Dehydration Risks

High protein intake causes extra water loss through urine as your kidneys remove excess nitrogen via urea. Ensure you stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water between protein shakes.

Aim for at least eight 8-oz cups of water daily if you drink protein shakes regularly. Also, limit protein to no more than 30% of total caloric intake for safety reasons.

Kidney Strain

Healthy kidneys easily filter average protein consumption without issue. But those with chronic kidney disease can experience worsening function with overzealous protein intake.

Consult your doctor about appropriate protein levels if you have kidney-related concerns. Dialing back shakes while monitoring organ responses helps avoid complications.

Product Alternatives

While Equate puts out affordable, quality protein drinks exclusively for Walmart shoppers, you can also explore these alternative brands and products:

Pure Protein Shakes

Also sold at Walmart stores, Pure Protein ready-to-drink shakes feature 30 grams protein per 11 oz bottle derived from whey isolates. Plus they contain fiber, vitamins and are gluten-free.

Orgain Organic Protein

This plant-based protein powder uses pea, brown rice and chia seeds for 21 grams of protein and fiber per serving. It mixes smoothly and contains zero sugar.

Quest Protein Shakes

Quest makes high protein shakes with interesting flavors like salted caramel and banana cream. A bottle has 160 calories and 30 grams of whey and casein proteins for sustained energy.

While Equate nutrition shakes stack up well to competitors, trying different protein sources like soy, egg, pea or hemp may better suit your dietary needs and taste preferences.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.