In a new study, researchers analyzed the effectiveness of soy and whey protein supplements post a bout of resistance exercise.
Protein supplements have become very popular these days. Fitness experts often recommend soy and whey protein supplements after a bout of resistance exercise. What's astounding is that some people blindly take these supplements without knowing the benefits and effectiveness of these proteins. Therefore, a group of researchers conducted a study to provide a detailed review on the effects of soy and whey protein supplementation on testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and cortisol responses to exercise.
"This study starts to unravel and provide some insights into one of the real urban myths about soy protein and resistance exercise in men," said Dr. William J. Kraemer, the lead researcher of the study.
The study was conducted on 10 resistance-trained men in their early 20s. They were divided into three groups and each group was given 20g of a particular protein supplement for three days. The protein supplements assigned to each group were whey protein isolate, soy protein isolate, or a maltrodextrin placebo control. All participants were not allowed to take any other supplement during the study period. Each morning after taking the supplements, the participants performed 6 sets of heavy resistance squats at 10 reps each using 80 percent of their maximum lifting weight.
"Our main findings demonstrate that 14 days of supplementation with soy protein does appear to partially blunt serum testosterone. In addition, whey influences the response of cortisol following an acute bout of resistance exercise by blunting its increase during recovery. Protein supplementation alters the physiological responses to a commonly used exercise modality with some differences due to the type of protein utilized," wrote the researchers.
The study titled "The Effects of Soy and Whey Protein Supplementation on Acute Hormonal Reponses to Resistance Exercise in Men" was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the Official Publication of the American College of Nutrition and a publication from Routledge.
