Soon after you start hitting the gym for the first time, you will notice that guys are quite verbal about the protein shakes they drink before or after a workout. They usually use protein powders to make protein shakes. You may also be wondering if you really need to take these nutritional supplements. It is easy to buy protein powders online or offline and the good thing is that you can find ready-to-drink protein shakes as well. If you have decided to take advantage of those protein shakes, it is important to have some information about protein powders. The most important thing to know is, "Does protein powder go bad?" You may think you can buy a pack of protein powder and keep using it until it lasts, but that's not always the case.
Does Protein Powder Go Bad?
The simple answer is, "Yes, it can".
However, before you ask, "Doe protein powder expire?" it is important to understand exactly what's included in this dietary supplement anyway. Your protein powder may be the combination of soy, eggs, whey, and rice. The substance is quite popular with athletes and bodybuilders who are concerned about putting on more muscles. Sometimes, protein powder is considered an option when trying to lose weight. In most cases, you can use it by adding to smoothies or juices.
You can find different types of protein powder base products, but a popular choice is whey protein isolate. Many people love it because it offers easily digestible proteins. Nevertheless, it's a powder, and you have every right to ask, "Does protein powder go bad?" The simple answer is, "Yes, it can".
It is, however, important to point out that a good quality protein powder product will come with a long shelf life. You just need to pay attention to how you have to store it. With proper storage, you can keep it usable for long.
How to Tell If Protein Powder Is Bad?
Now that you know the answer to the question, "Does protein expire?" you may want to know how you can tell if protein powder is bad or not. With proper storage, it is usually not easy to confirm if the powder is still usable or not. It may actually be usable after a couple of years of storing. It will be a different situation if you find a container of protein powder that's a couple of months after expiration date. What would you do now? How'd you tell it's still good? You need to have a closer look at it and smell it as well.
You may have to throw it away if you notice any moist into the powder. If you think it still looks good and its odor isn't bad as well, it's time to take it a bit further. You will now have to taste it. Only use a small amount to check its flavor. Using it in a small amount won't cause any side effects, and this will help you decide if it has gone bad or not.
It is worth mentioning that even though you may be able to use old protein powder, it may not be as healthy as new protein powder. The nutritional value will come down with time, which means you will be better off buying a new pack of protein powder, especially if you're a bodybuilder and don't want to make any compromises with your health.
How to Store Protein Powder Properly
If you intend to use protein powder for long, it is important that you know how to store it properly. It means, instead of asking, "Does protein powder go bad?" you should pay more attention to storing it right in the first place.
The first thing you should do is to store your protein powder in the same container that it came in. Provided you have bought a high quality protein powder product, the chances are it comes in an airtight, moisture locked container. Moisture is the biggest enemy of protein powder, and a good quality container will go a long way in protecting the powder by keeping it dry. It is also important to store your container in a dry place and restrict any exposure to heat. Now, you may ask, "Does protein expire if I take all these steps?" Yes, it does, but the process will take longer than usual.
How Long Does Protein Powder Last?
Every protein powder product will come with an expiration date that you can find on its label. It's usually a year after the date of manufacturing. It is therefore a good idea to check the labels whenever you're out shopping for a container of protein powder. You really don't want to buy a tube of powder that may have been sitting there on the aisle for a few months already. Just be sure to pay attention to proper storage and your protein powder will remain usable even after the expiration date. Just be sure to test your protein powder after the expiration date to ensure it's still good.
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