Protein is an essential macronutrient. Your body needs protein for countless processes, including muscle growth. Understanding how much protein your body can absorb at once and how to improve absorption can help you reach your health goals.

The body has a special process for absorbing protein. In general, most people can absorb 20 to 25 grams of protein at once. However, absorption rates depend on the specific protein you consume. The same can be said for how easy absorption is. Whey protein is the fastest absorbing protein and the easiest for your body to absorb. Within two hours, your body can digest 20 grams of whey protein.

ENU cares about formulating healthy protein shakes. Our protein shakes are easy to absorb and tasty to drink. Visit our website today to learn more about our fast-absorbing ENU Nutritional Shakes.

How Does Your Body Absorb Protein?

Protein absorption is the process that comes after digestion. This is a crucial process as it’s when protein is sent to the correct areas of the body. Without the ability to absorb protein, your body can’t benefit from it.

Once protein is broken down into amino acids in the stomach and small intestines, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to the liver. This process is known as protein absorption. At this point, protein is no longer whole and instead has been reduced to single amino acid chains. These amino acid chains have different responsibilities and capabilities.

During absorption, amino acids are categorized and distributed to the necessary locations within your body. Fast absorption is important so you can quickly benefit from the protein you’ve eaten.

How Much Protein Can Your Body Absorb at Once?

Your body can only absorb a certain amount of protein at a time. For many people, their bodies can absorb 25 grams of protein at once. The term “at once” means in one sitting. The rest is disregarded and goes unused. This is not ideal, as you’re losing out on nutrients.

When you eat food, you get nutrients and calories. When those nutrients aren’t useful, neither are the calories. It’s important to monitor your protein intake, even if you require more protein. If you eat too much in one sitting, your body won’t absorb it. Protein shakes, like ENU Nutritional Shakes, should have the right amount of protein per serving, so you can absorb it all in one sitting.

Try to stick between 20 to 25 grams of protein per meal. That way, your body can absorb most of the protein you eat. If you drink shakes with much more protein, a lot of it will be disregarded and may go unused.

How Long Does It Take Your Body to Absorb Protein?

Now you know how much protein your body can absorb at once, but how long will that take? Protein absorption rates aren’t the same across all types of protein. It can take anywhere from one to several hours for your body to properly absorb all the protein you eat at once.

Absorption rates vary. For example, whey protein is the fastest for your body to absorb. The body can absorb about 10 grams of whey protein in an hour. So, a protein shake made with whey, like ENU Nutritional Shakes, can be digested properly and within an hour or two of drinking.

“At once” doesn’t necessarily mean quickly. It just means how much protein your body can absorb in total after consumption. It doesn’t guarantee a specific timeframe. So, while your body can absorb about 20 to 25 grams of, say, casein protein at once, it may take several hours to do so. Speed varies, depending on the protein you choose.

What Protein Is Easiest for the Body to Absorb at Once?

The next thing to consider is ease. Quantity and speed matter, but what about how easy it is to digest protein? Being able to absorb upwards of 20 grams of protein at once is good, but not if the protein will cause nausea or discomfort.

Although all proteins can be absorbed in the same quantity, ease isn’t the same. Whey protein is the easiest to absorb. Your body can quickly and easily absorb whey better than other proteins. For people with absorption issues, like cystic fibrosis patients, whey protein is ideal. Protein shakes that the body absorbs easily, like ENU Nutritional Shakes, may have additional ingredients that enhance absorption.

Added grams of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can promote whey protein absorption. That’s why our protein shakes have four added grams of MCTs per serving. Instead of feeling uncomfortable or nauseous during absorption, you can easily absorb whey protein and see its benefits.

How Can You Absorb More Protein at Once?

If you have difficulty absorbing enough protein at once, there are a couple of things you can do. Eating complex carbs can help boost absorption rates. Drinking protein shakes before and after exercise can also improve your body’s protein absorption.

Complex carbs, like brown rice and quinoa, cause your body to release insulin. That can help your body and muscles absorb the single amino acid chains from broken down protein. Healthy protein shakes, like ENU Nutritional Shakes, contain additional complex carbohydrates to boost energy levels and enhance protein absorption.

Drinking protein shakes more frequently can improve absorption as well. You probably need more protein than the average person if you have absorption issues. Consuming more of a nutrient improves your chances of absorbing enough. Drinking a shake before and after a workout gives your body enough amino acids to absorb to promote strength and muscle repair.

Try Our Fast-Absorbing Protein Shakes Today

Finding a protein shake that your body can absorb quickly and comfortably at once is a must. Visit our website to purchase our fast-absorbing ENU Nutritional Shakes today.