Protein is important in any healthy diet, but not all proteins are the same. The body digests and absorbs various proteins in different ways. Understanding how protein is digested and absorbed can help you improve its effects on your body.

Protein’s digestion process is complex. It goes to your stomach, where special enzymes begin to break it down into amino acid chains. Once digested, protein is absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to the correct bodily areas. Depending on the type of protein you eat, it may take several hours to digest. Whey protein is quickly digested and absorbed, allowing you to benefit from it sooner rather than later.

Our shakes are made with whey protein and are fortified with four added grams of medium-chain triglycerides for enhanced absorption. To learn more about ENU Nutritional Shakes, which are easily digestible and absorbable, visit our website today.

How Is Protein Digested?

Properly digesting protein is important so that your body can benefit from it. Protein digestion can be complicated because your body has to break it down and distribute it to the right areas.

As soon as you take a sip of our protein-packed ENU Nutritional Shakes, the digestion process begins. Once you eat protein-dense foods, the nutrients go to your stomach. Once there, hydrochloric acid and proteases break protein down into amino acid chains. Proteases, like pepsin, are enzymes in the stomach whose sole responsibility is to break down protein. Protein is then reduced to single amino acid chains.

Next, these amino acid chains head to the small intestine. Once there, enzymes further break down protein or the remaining amino acid chains. Pancreatic enzymes do most of the work here. Once this process is completed, absorption begins.

How Is Protein Absorbed?

Protein is absorbed after it’s digested. That means that your body has to completely break down protein into the amino acids that comprise it before being absorbed and put to use.

After the protein is digested and single amino acids are in your small intestine, it is absorbed into your bloodstream. Then it has to go to the liver. From there, it can attend to its many jobs.

Then your body will take stock. What needs tending to? Do you have enough energy right now? Are your muscles in need of food? Whatever is most important will get the right amount of amino acids. If you have absorption issues, protein may not reach this stage. That’s dangerous because it prevents your body from accessing vital amino acids.

How Long Does It Take for Protein to be Digested and Absorbed?

How long it takes for your body to digest and absorb protein depends on several factors. First is your personal health history. The second factor is the type of protein you choose.

Not all protein is easily digestible. In fact, some popular proteins take a very long time for your body to digest and absorb. Eating protein in very large quantities can increase digestion and absorption time and reduce the amount of available protein your body can use.

Depending on the type of protein you choose, it can take several hours for your body to digest and absorb it. So, if you’re trying to time your protein consumption with a gym visit, you may have to get protein many hours in advance.

Casein, a popular form of protein, can take many hours to digest. When you consume casein, it becomes less soluble as it moves through the digestive tract. It’s harder for the enzymes in your stomach to break it down, resulting in slower digestion and absorption times.

Similarly, the proteins in meat and fish can also be hard to digest and absorb. Slow-digesting proteins don’t offer fast-acting benefits. If you have digestion and absorption issues, choosing a slow-digesting and –absorbing protein won’t give you the desired results.

What Protein Is Easily Digested and Absorbed?

You may require a more easily digestible and absorbable protein for one reason or another. Maybe you want better results in the gym. Perhaps you have medical difficulties that inhibit absorption and digestion. Luckily, there is a protein that fits the bill.

Whey protein is the easiest to digest and absorb. It’s fast-acting, so your body can access the essential amino acids that make it up more quickly. ENU Nutritional Shakes are made with whey protein for just this reason. Our shakes are ideal for those who want to boost their protein intake before working out and those who have difficulty absorbing nutrients, like cystic fibrosis patients.

Unlike other proteins, whey has a fast absorption rate. It takes about an hour for the body to digest and absorb 10 grams of whey protein. Since it’s so fast-acting, your body can benefit from whey protein sooner.

How Can Protein be Digested and Absorbed Better?

Clearly, whey protein is the ideal protein for easy digestion and absorption. Consuming protein in the right quantities and alongside the right nutrients is also important. You can hasten digestion and absorption by drinking a nutritious protein shake.

Protein shakes for enhanced absorption and digestion, like ENU Nutritional Shakes, can contain other healthy ingredients. Our shakes have four added grams of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs promote fast absorption, making our protein shakes optimal for anyone’s needs. They don’t cause nausea or an upset stomach and are easy for medical patients to digest.

Shakes with whey protein, like ENU Nutritional Shakes, are the best way to get the protein you need quickly. Instead of waiting around for your body to digest protein, you can benefit from the 20 grams in our shakes fast. Because our nutritious shakes are made with whey protein for enhanced absorption, you can digest them within 2 hours. Since whey is easily digestible, the enzymes in your stomach can quickly break it down and distribute the remaining amino acids to the vital areas within your body.

Drink Our Protein Shakes to Enhance Digestion and Absorption

It’s important to properly digest and absorb protein, or you won’t benefit from eating it. Visit our website today to purchase our easily digestible and absorbable ENU Nutritional Shakes.