THE ABCs OF PROTEIN

Picture this: You’ve just completed a workout. You’re feeling good — jacked, buff, muscly, ripped, cut — and are in the throes of the phenomenon Arnold Schwarzenegger famously christened “the pump”. The next step, according to locker-room lore, is to grab a protein supplement and let its precious grams flow through your body like nutritional opium, in order to repair microtears in muscle and maximise gains in strength and mass. But who wins in the world of protein obsession? Here, I dive into the world of all things protein to determine where the myths and marketing end and the scientific study remains — yes, these are my A.B.Cs of capital P.

Currently, on lifestyle-sharing site Pinterest you can now choose ‘protein’ as one of your interests in life, along with ‘cute animals’ and ‘inspirational quotes’, you can head to your local grocery store for protein noodles, protein bagels and protein water (because normal water isn’t ‘healthy enough?) and every Insta-influencer worth their #fitspo salt is spruking some form of revolutionary powdered supplement ‘proven’ to miraculously transform that bloated beer belly into a sexy six-pack overnight. So, before we allow ourselves to buy into the protein hype…

WHAT IS PROTEIN?

As a part of literally every cell in the human body, this macronutrient is the major component of all skeletal muscles, giving size and function, and the basis of the structural function of all other body organs, hair, skin and nails. It’s also necessary for various bodily functions from blood clotting and hormone production to