Should you add olive oil in a protein shake?

In this article, we will answer the query “Should you add olive oil in a protein shake?” Additionally, we will present relevant information such as the role of proteins in muscle recovery, and what other fat sources you can add to your protein shake; finally, we present a brief summary of the health benefits of olive oil, and how to incorporate it in your diet.

Should you add olive oil in a protein shake?

No, it is not going to cause any damage to your health, but it will reduce the bioavailability of amino acids like Leucine; so it is not a good idea to put olive oil in your protein shake (1).

Besides, olive oil will change the organoleptic properties of your protein shake like texture, aroma, color, and taste (2).

What is the importance of amino acid availability during exercise recovery?

Amino acids are essential nutrients for muscle recovery because they are the building blocks for tissues like muscle (3). 

After exercise, your body needs nutrients to refuel your energy store and repair the stressed muscle fibers. During the first 45 minutes after your workout, also known as anabolic window, you should eat carbs and proteins for the following reasons (3,4):

  • Carbs will be immediately used to refuel your muscles’ energy stores (glycogen), therefore, it could use all the proteins for muscle repair.
  • Proteins provide amino acids to create more and stronger muscle fibers. Besides, specific amino acids, like Leucine, can boost your muscle synthesis via different metabolic pathways.
  • Muscle synthesis and repair (with proteins) will help reduce inflammation, soreness, and pain during recovery.

It is important to note that your body also requires a lot of energy for muscle synthesis, so it is a good idea to add energy to your requirements during recovery (3).

What are alternatives to add fat-based energy into the protein shake?

You can add fat-based energy without compromising the protein absorption with Milk and dairy products. Milk and dairy products contain medium-chain-triacylglycerols, which are a suitable option to add fat-based energy in your protein shake (5,6).

Medium-chain-triacylglycerols have a unique form of digestion, in fact, their digestion starts with the lipase of your mouth, and it could be passed immediately to the liver without being packed in micelles (5). 

Due to their easy digestion, Medium-chain-triacylglycerols could not affect your absorption of amino acids from the protein shake during the anabolic window.

What are other potential health benefits of milk and dairy products?

Milk and dairy products are good sources of minerals like calcium and vitamin D. Both calcium and vitamin D are essential to ensure good bone health and prevent osteoporosis (7).

What are the health benefits of eating olive oil?

Olive oil can provide several health benefits due to its content of polyphenols, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids, here is a summary of the health benefits of consuming olive oil (2):

  • The polyphenols of olive oil can protect you against cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent obesity, and are neuroprotective against diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

How to incorporate olive oil in your diet without compromising your protein absorption?

The best option is to eat olive oil within your meals; for instance, in your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eating olive oil outside the anabolic window or just separate from your protein shake will ensure a good absorption of proteins.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the query “Should you add olive oil in a protein shake?” Additionally, we presented relevant information such as the role of proteins in muscle recovery, and what other fat sources you can add to your protein shake; finally, we presented a brief summary of the health benefits of olive oil, and how to incorporate it in your diet.

References

  1. Mulet-Cabero A-I, Torcello-Gómez A, Saha S, Mackie AR, Wilde PJ, Brodkorb A. Impact of caseins and whey proteins ratio and lipid content on in vitro digestion and ex vivo absorption. Food Chem, 2020;319(126514):126514.
  1. Romani A, Ieri F, Urciuoli S, Noce A, Marrone G, Nediani C, Bernini R. Health effects of phenolic compounds found in extra-virgin olive oil, by-products, and leaf of Olea europaea L. Nutrients, 2019;11(8):1776
  1. Huecker M, Sarav M, Pearlman M, Laster J. Protein supplementation in sport: Source, timing, and intended benefits. Curr Nutr Rep, 2019;8(4):382–96
  1. Arent SM, Cintineo HP, McFadden BA, Chandler AJ, Arent MA. Nutrient timing: A garage door of opportunity? Nutrients, 2020;12(7):1948.
  1. Watanabe S, Tsujino S. Applications of Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Foods. Front Nutr, 2022;2(9):802805. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.802805.
  1. Jadhav HB, Annapure US. Triglycerides of medium-chain fatty acids: a concise review. J Food Sci Technol, 2022;1–10.
  1. Scholz-Ahrens KE, Ahrens F, Barth CA. Nutritional and health attributes of milk and milk imitations. Eur J Nutr, 2020;59(1):19–34.

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