Muscle Milk Pro Series Non-Dairy Protein Shake Review

The Muscle Milk brand, which is owned by CytoSport and manufactured in California, is so well-known that it’s probably what most people think of when they hear the words “protein shake.” Muscle Milk is the most popular whey protein powder, not because it is the most popular whey protein powder, but because pre-made cartons of Muscle Milk can be bought at almost any convenience shop in the United States.

Muscle Milk is most known for its shakes, but they also manufacture coffee beverages, protein bars, and protein powder. I chose to try their Chocolate protein powder to see what it has to offer.

What Is The Muscle Milk Pro Series?

The Muscle Milk Pro Series has over 50 grams of protein per serving. This potent protein powder is designed to provide a great supply of protein for muscle growth and recovery following intense exercise. Smoothies, milkshakes, and other dishes may readily use this powder. The drink may be drunk before, during, and after a workout. It can also be consumed before bedtime. An individual must consume this protein powder 30-60 minutes after a workout to get the most out of it.

Whey Protein Vs Muscle Milk

In addition to casein, Muscle Milk contains whey protein in the form of whey protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate, and whey protein concentrate. According to Nutrition and Metabolism, several scientific studies have demonstrated the usefulness of whey protein in promoting lean muscle growth, improved body composition, and fat reduction. Muscle Milk makes similar claims, however neither the FDA nor the US Department of Agriculture have confirmed them.

Whey is a “fast-acting” protein since it can be absorbed quickly to increase muscle protein synthesis. Casein, on the other hand, is a “slow-acting” protein that includes a distinct set of amino acids. It aids in the healing process after endurance exercises. The National Strength and Conditioning Association advises that while following a rehabilitation regimen, an individual should use a mix of both of these proteins.

It’s important to remember, though, that neither version of the protein is guaranteed to change the body. The impact of each will be determined by a variety of parameters, including age, weight, sex, nutrition, and physical activity level.

Muscle Milk Ingredients

While Muscle Milk isn’t milk, many of the components in the protein powder, such as milk proteins, can be found in ordinary milk. Muscle Milk should not be consumed if you are allergic to milk proteins. Muscle Milk is lactose-free, therefore it’s suitable for lactose-intolerant people.

Muscle Milk 100 percent Whey Protein Powder has the following major ingredients:

• Whey Protein Isolate
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Maltodextrin

Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder has the following key ingredients:

• Calcium sodium caseinate (milk)
• Milk protein isolate
• Non-dairy creamer (sunflower oil, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, mono- and diglycerides, tocopherols)
• Maltodextrin
• Alkalized cocoa powder
• Soluble corn fiber
• Canola oil
• Crystalline fructose
• Medium chain triglycerides
• Natural and artificial flavors
• Calcium phosphate

Nutritional Values Of Muscle Milk

Are you curious about the ingredients in Muscle Milk? Muscle Milk, one serve (70 grams) Chocolate protein powder comprises the following ingredients:

• 280 calories
• 9 grams of fat
• 20 grams of carbohydrates
• 2 grams of fiber
• 32 grams of protein
• 40 milligrams of cholesterol
• 135 milligrams of sodium
• Vitamins A, C, and D
• Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium are also present.

That isn’t a high-protein or low-carb diet. Low-fat is another option. Muscle Milk’s response is that the product is marketed as a healthy method to eat protein, carbohydrates, and fat rather than a low-calorie protein supplement. The carbohydrates offer fiber and fructose, while the fat combination is termed “lean lipidsTM,” It concentrates on medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) and unsaturated fats coming from sunflower and canola to the label.

Muscle Milk has a surprising number of micronutrients, which astonished me. It includes Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and approximately ten more, but only 15 percent of the recommended daily dose of each. That is unquestionably a welcome bonus.

Muscle Milk Protein Powder Benefits and Effectiveness

All of the additional vitamins and minerals were my favorite part of the product; it was by far the finest feature. The inclusion of taurine was also a great bonus.

However, it isn’t a really good protein powder. It’s high in carbohydrates and fat, with the carbs coming from lactose and fructose and the fats coming primarily from seed oils, which may put off many fitness enthusiasts. When you add in the fact that it contains soy, maize, and the problematic sweetener acesulfame potassium, you have a protein powder designed for the general public rather than athletes on a tight diet.

There are also no digestive enzymes like lactase, aminogen, or bromelain, which are typically added to lactose-containing protein powders to help with digestion. This may not be suitable for those with sensitive stomachs. It’s also worth noting that it’s manufactured at a facility that handles milk, soy, wheat, and eggs.

Price Of Muscle Milk Protein Powder

A 2.47-pound container will set you back approximately $25. It comes out to 78 cents per serving or 4.9 cents per gram of protein for 32 servings.

Because each scoop only contains 16 grams of protein, the cost per gram of protein is critical. While 78 cents per serving for a protein powder is reasonable, 4.9 cents per gram of protein is not. It’s cheap, but per gram of protein, it’s more expensive than Optimum Nutrition, Muscletech, Musclepharm, and Cellucor. Even a 4-pound tub of Jym, which is considered a premium protein powder, costs 5.1 cents per gram of protein, a difference of 0.2 cents per gram.

Mixability

I can’t say I was disappointed with the mixability; it dissolved fast and easily, thanks to the soy lecithin.

Taste Of Muscle Milk Protein Powder

It didn’t taste good to me. Dark cocoa was the flavor of the Chocolate flavor, but not in a pleasant way. It’s not sweet, creamy, or rich; instead, it’s earthy and a touch bitter, and it clung to the insides of my tongue. I tried it with milk and water, and I liked it more with the latter. But, to be honest, that’s just because I didn’t taste it as much, which is really low praise.

Flavors Of Muscle Milk Protein Powder

The beverage comes in a variety of flavors, including:

• Banana Creme
• Cake Batter
• Chocolate
• Real Chocolate
• Peanut Butter Chocolate
• Cookies ‘n Creme
• Strawberries ‘n Creme
• Vanilla
• Vanilla Creme

What Are The Side Effects Of Muscle Milk?

Muscle Milk has an average caloric content of 330 calories per serving, however this varies depending on the flavor. The chocolate flavor, for example, has 280 calories. These protein shakes come in convenient ready-to-drink containers, making them easy to transport and consume whenever hunger strikes. This can lead to weight gain.

All varieties of this shake, including Muscle Milk RTD, include 88 I.U. of vitamin D and 1,100 I.U. of vitamin A. Excess of these vitamins is difficult to eliminate. Nausea, headaches, and vomiting are all symptoms of vitamin poisoning.

There have been reports of gas, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and bloating. Heavy metals including cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals have been found in protein beverages like Muscle Milk. These protein drinks might cause significant health problems in susceptible persons, such as pregnant women and children under the age of 18.

Cadmium in excess can be hazardous because it can build up in the kidneys. A high protein diet can potentially harm the kidneys. The bad news is that manufacturers are not required to test them or assure their safety because protein drinks are considered dietary supplements. With the exception of Six Star Muscle Professional Strength Whey Protein, which has a daily consumption restriction, none of the other products have one. This might lead to an excessive amount of a product being consumed.

Protein supplements, such as Muscle Milk, are commonly used by athletes to complement their regular diet. When more nutrients are ingested than are required, the nutrient has no effect on performance. Excess nutrients is either excreted or stored by the body.

What Are Muscle Milk Alternatives?

Muscle Milk has a number of competitors on the market. Iovate Sciences manufactures Muscletech Premium Gold Whey. It contains whey, but it’s in a hydrolyzed form that’s incredibly easy to digest. It’s cheaper than Muscle Milk, but it’s made with soy, lactose, and artificial sweeteners. It’s also devoid of digestive enzymes.

Dr. Jim Stoppani, a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology and a leading writer in this field, created Pro Jym protein. There are 24 grams of protein in this protein smoothie. It’s a slow-digesting shake that may be eaten at any time and has a high amount of micronutrients, particularly calcium.

Does Muscle Milk Protein Drink Help In Recovery?

Muscle Milk’s website recommends consuming it after a workout to speed up recuperation. This is when Muscle Milk fails miserably. This 1:2 ratio is backwards to the 4:1 carbohydrates-protein ratio that research has shown is best for developing muscle and recuperating from intense training, with just 8 grams of carbs and 16 grams of protein per meal.

Muscle Milk also falls short in the post-workout window because fat delays gastric emptying, so it would not exit the stomach for absorption as quickly as a lower-fat or non-fat protein drink. For the reasons stated above, drinking Muscle Milk alone after an exercise is not a good idea.

Does Muscle Milk Work?

According to the Nutrients PubMed Central Highly-respected database from the National Library of Medicine, none of the company’s claims have been scientifically validated, although there is widespread agreement on the muscle-strengthening effects of several of the supplement’s major components.

Protein increases satiety, which helps prevent overeating, but this does not support the company’s claim that this supplement improves in weight reduction. This supplement isn’t always a better choice for a healthy diet than real-food protein sources.

Muscle Milk might be a good alternative if you can’t eat natural dietary protein due to a medical issue.

Conclusion

When it came to price, advantages, efficacy, and taste, I wasn’t a big fan of this product. If you’re searching for a cheap protein powder, the “Price” section above has numerous alternatives that are both cheaper and better tasting. If you’re searching for a protein powder with more micronutrients, IsoPure is a superior option because it’s less expensive, more nutritional, and tastes better.

If it tasted good, the flaws would be forgiven, but it doesn’t. I’d stick to the Muscle Milk protein bars if you like the brand.