Bodybuilding has been quite popular in India since ages and protein supplements have naturally been the ideal choice for any bodybuilder. Whether you are looking to lose weight or build muscle mass, protein supplements are ideal for they harvest faster results.However, choosing the right supplement is not an easy task. Remember, when buying a protein powder, always remember to look at the product label. That is the one thing that does not lie about the performance of the protein supplement. Look for the blend that has whey protein (pure protein), and make sure that the protein per serving is over 20 grams. Look at the number of calories as a lower calorie content will help you build lean muscles (this may vary from person to person).
There are a few seasoned players such as Optimum Nutrition along with a few relatively new companies such as Myprotein. Also, there are supplements that are used post-workout while there are others that are used as a protein supplement. We have looked into all these factors and our list of protein supplements should definitely help you in choosing the right supplement for your bodybuilding needs.
Let us not wait any longer and dive right into the list to explore the best the industry has to offer in 2016.
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard has been on the top since ages and even managed to develop a cult following. Few even call this as the best protein supplement available in the business. Optimum Nutrition set standards since 1986 and is one of the most trusted names in the business. Better yet, all their labs are GMP compliant and NSF Certified for Sport.
This product has won awards for over a decade and the quality is unmatched. Each portion has twenty-four grams of whey protein with low levels of fat, cholesterol, and lactose and gives around 120 calories of energy. Along with the protein, it contains 5.5 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs (Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine), 4 grams of naturally occurring glutamine and glutamic acid, and amino acids that help in digesting protein. You can choose from over twenty flavours to supercharge your workout. To add to this, you even get the choice of a completely natural product (no artificial sweeteners or flavours).
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake.
Buy it here
MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey
Muscle Pharm has tonnes of brilliant products and Combat is our favourite. Combat protein powder has the regular 24 grams of protein per serving.
This product consists a perfect blend of whey protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate, and whey protein concentrate. It is one of the few products to offer such a blend. Another important thing to keep an eye out for when considering buying a protein powder is whether it contains branched chain amino acids or not, and how much of them it contains. It also contains several enzymes that are crucial to muscle recovery and growth.
This protein powder only has 130 calories per serving (lower than Gold Standard 100% Whey). It also contains low amounts of sugars and fat and is definitely a positive if you are looking for a lean muscle growth. The cholesterol level is higher than the competition but nothing alarming here. The taste is great and is highly recommended for athletes.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake.
Buy it here
Dymatize Nutrition ISO 100 Whey Protein Isolate
Dymatize has been around for a while and is always innovating and ISO 100 is their best product. Dymatize’s ISO-100 includes a good amount of amino acids, which is essential for muscle recovery and growth.
Each serving of ISO-100 has around 5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving and has only 106 calories. It contains protein isolate, a pure protein blend. Moreover, it has less than a gram of sugars, carbohydrates, or fats. The amount of sodium per serving is also low when compared to the competition. The only downside is that this product contains genetically modified soy oil and will concern a few. If that is of no concern to you, this product just maybe perfect. This product is ideal for lean muscle growth or for recovery.
Overall, the product is exceptionally nutritious and contains heaps of amino acids, which are crucial for muscle building. The genetically modified soy oil and the taste of the product would upset a few.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake.
Buy it here
Myprotein Impact Whey
Myprotein is a British company that came into existence in 2004. It expanded quick and has over 2,500 products in its range. We look into Impact Whey that is offered by this company. This protein powder comes in over fifty flavours (yes, you read that right), there is something for everybody.
Impact Whey consists premium, grass-fed whey and each serving offers around 21g of protein, 4.5 grams of BCAAs and 3.6 grams of glutamine along with the essential amino acids. Impact Whey Protein has only 1.9 grams of fat and around one gram of carbohydrate giving around 103 calories per serving. Not only that, it contains low amounts of salts as well.
Impact Whey is ideal for anyone who is looking for a regular protein supplement for muscle growth and repair with Impact Whey is exceptional. This has the best value for money when compared to the other established brands in the market.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake or as a daily protein supplement.
Buy it here
Ultimate Nutrition Prostar 100% Whey Protein
Ultimate Nutrition is a seasoned player like Optimum Nutrition and is on the market since 1979. The Prostar 100% Whey Protein is our favourite product for it has 6 grams of BCAAs per serving (higher than Gold Standard). The protein blend consists of Whey protein isolate and whey peptides. Moreover, it comes in ten flavours ranging from chocolate to vanilla.
Each serving of Prostar Whey has 25 grams of protein along with essential amino acids. It is low amounts of fats and carbohydrates. The sodium content is also comparably low. This protein powder does not mix easy and leaves a few lumps behind. It is ideal for both muscle building & fat loss.
Overall, Prostar Whey Protein is ideal for both short and long workouts. In addition, it also helps in improving the immune system of the body. However, this is only a supplement and not a meal replacement.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake or as a daily protein supplement.
Buy it here
Nature’s Best Isopure Zero Carb
Like Optimum Nutrition, Nature’s Best is on the market for quite some time and has been producing the finest quality of pure protein. The fine refinement ensures that you only end up with milk protein when dissolved in water (talk about purity).
Each serving gives around 50 grams of protein and is the highest protein per serving in the industry. This product is 100% pure whey protein isolate and is gluten free along with very low amounts of cholesterol. Moreover, it is free from lactose and aspartame but gives you around 210 calories per serving. Isopure Zero Carb has the highest calorie content on our list (despite having zero carbohydrates). BCAAs per serving is pretty low when compared to the competition and also contains a high amount of sodium. You get to choose from over ten flavours but is nowhere as delicious as Syntha 6.
We love the idea of pure protein but this product needs more amounts of BCAAs. If you are looking for a protein powder that has zero carbohydrates, then this is for you.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake.
Buy it here
Muscletech Multi Phase 8
Like MusclePharm, Muscletech also has a huge product range. You can find a Muscletech product for almost every need. Phase 8 is one of their best products and is a class by itself.
The nutrition label on Phase 8 has a blend of multiple types of protein (similar to Combat 100% Whey) and this may upset a few in the bodybuilding industry. Each serving gives around 26 grams of protein along with 4.6 grams of amino acids and 2.2 grams of glutamine. This should feed your muscles for up to eight hours after an intense workout. You will get around 150 calories per serving along with very low levels of cholesterol. The product is sugar-free and contains roughly 2 grams of fat.
The product tastes great and is very effective as well, thanks to the added glutamine. It has the standard amount of protein and a slightly higher calorie content. So, do not expect lean muscles with the product.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake.
Buy it here
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein
Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Casein was the 2015 product of the year. It was the industry’s first all-micellar casein powder. Like 100% Whey Gold Standard, the 100% Casein is also manufactured in GMP compliant and NSF Certified labs. Quality and consistency is never a problem with any Optimum Nutrition supplement.
Each serving has 24 grams of protein, over 9 grams of essential amino acids and around 120 calories of energy. What sets this product apart is that it provides around 60% of daily Calcium requirement. 100% Casein provides a slow, steady flow of essential amino acids including the BCAAs (around 5 grams per serving) to muscle tissues. With over nine different flavours to choose from, this product clearly stands out in the competition. In addition, you can always choose the natural alternatives (without artificial sweeteners and colours).
This is not something that you take right after workouts but should be taken for the long slow muscle recovery. 100% Casein along with 100% Whey from Optimum Nutrition is a perfect combination for any bodybuilder.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use between meals to support satiety and/or before bed.
Buy it here
BSN Syntha 6
Syntha 6 is a premium protein powder that assists in muscle growth and muscle protein synthesis. Incredible taste has always been a selling point for Syntha 6; in fact, it is BSN’s bestselling product.
Each serving has around 22 grams of protein along with 10 grams of essential amino acids and fatty acids. Not only that, it is a first-rate source of fibre (5 grams, to be precise) making it a multi-functional protein supplement. Each serving has around 200 calories and is at the pointy end of the competition. It also has a high amount of cholesterol (around 70mg per serving). Syntha 6 is moulded to meet a variety of demands and matches a wide range of diet plans. Syntha 6 is available in ten delicious flavours.
BSN products are always designed to complement each other and Syntha 6 is no different. Pair it with Nitrix 2.0, N.O.-Xplode and Cellmass 2.0 for maximum performance. The muscle gained using BSN Syntha 6 is not lean muscle.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake or as a protein supplement.
Buy it here
Cellucor COR-Performance Whey
COR-Performance Whey is a great product from Cellucor that is very healthy as well. COR-Performance Whey contains 25 grams of protein and has around 130 calories in every serving. With low amounts of carbohydrates and fats, this product has the potential to be special. It was voted as the breakout supplement of the year in 2013.
Low cholesterol level with moderate sodium levels is to be looked into first. The protein blend (the most important thing) is brilliant and is similar to Ultimate Nutrition Prostar 100% Whey. The downside being no BCAAs. Branched Chain Amino Acids are crucial to muscle growth and recovery but this product has none. The product is gluten free, tastes great and has lots of flavours.
Overall, it is nutritious but lacks BCAAs. The problem is that this product does not excel in a particular domain. The protein blend is top-notch but misses a crucial ingredient. With BCAAs, this product would have ranked a lot higher on our list.
Optimal Usage:
- One scoop with 150ml of cold water or any beverage.
- Use as a post-workout recovery shake.
Buy it here
