Protein Bars Benefits

Protein bars are high protein, less carbohydrate foods that are consumed mostly by body builders, athletes, and weight watchers. Protein bars are a popular post workout food as they supply proteins needed for muscle enhancement minus the extra calories.

Most commercial protein bars have whey, milk or soy protein as their main ingredient. Some other ingredients included are eggs, sugar, peanuts, oats, and bananas. Chocolate, blueberries, hazelnut, butter and yogurt are also added as taste enhancers.

Benefits of protein bars

Protein bars are an easy way to meet the body’s daily protein requirement.

Some of the protein bars benefits are as follows:

It provides muscle-enhancing proteins
It helps curb appetite and reduce body fat
They lower triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure
They are low in carbohydrates, sugar and fat, i.e., low in calories
Protein bars make for a convenient and non-messy snack

Health benefits of protein bars

Protein bars have effective and proven health benefits. In a study published in US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, it was found that sports protein bars are an acceptable protein supplement for patients on haemodialysis. Sports protein bars also have advantages over fluid based supplements in patients with fluid restrictions.

It helps in weight loss

Protein bars are an ideal meal replacement for people on a weight loss diet. They provide quality protein and are low in fats and carbohydrates. As mentioned earlier, protein bars also curb appetite and provide required energy. Most of the top protein bars contain an adequate amount of vitamins, minerals, and fiber to keep the body nourished. However, a thorough check of the nutrition label on the bar should be done to for information about the ingredients and their nutritional values.

Gluten-free protein bars are also available for people with celiac disease. Soy protein/flour, rice flour are used as replacements for wheat.

It helps in diabetics

Protein bars may be a good meal supplement for diabetics; however, they should not replace the regular meals altogether and should be taken after consultation with a doctor or a qualified dietician.

Protein bars and women

Women, often do not get the adequate quantity of protein from their regular diet. Protein bars can be a good source of protein for women and could help them meet their daily protein requirements.

Side effects of protein bars

Notwithstanding the benefits of protein bars, they have their set of cons and side effects. Some of them are as follows:

Some protein bars contain excess sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors and hydrogenated vegetable oils, which compromises their nutritional quality.
Some protein bars lack vitamins and minerals and may not be an adequate meal replacement.
Excess consumption of protein may lead to diarrhea, dehydration and nausea.

It is always better to get all the nourishment from natural foods; a balanced diet provides every nutrient a human body needs. Supplements are reinforcements only needed when a person is unable to meet their nutritional requirement from a natural diet.

References:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17462554

Submitted on January 16, 2014