Drinking an inadequate amount of water when using whey protein powders can cause dehydration.
People who are trying to build muscle mass should consume one gram of protein per pound of body weight, every day. For a man weighing 180 pounds, that's equivalent to six 8-ounce steaks. Whey protein powders offer a convenient way to boost your daily protein intake, and most powders also provide all of the essential and non-essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. However, there are potential cons to consuming whey protein.
Utilization
Your body can only absorb and utilize a certain amount of protein at any one time. It is unnecessary to consume a serving of whey protein powder containing more than 30 grams of protein because it is likely that the excess will just be wasted. The gastric emptying properties of whey means most of the protein is metabolized in the liver and not digested at all.
Dehydration
Metabolizing proteins requires a lot of water, and without this knowledge, many whey protein users regularly suffer from dehydration. High protein diets also require more water consumption in order to flush out the excess nitrogen.
Kidney and Liver Stress
If consumed in excess, the consumption of whey protein powder can place stress on the kidneys and liver, especially if coupled with an inadequate intake of water.
Digestion
Digestive problems, such as bloating and gas, are commonly reported. These problems usually only occur with cheaper brands of whey protein powders that often do not contain the right types and proportions of digestive enzymes.
Cost
Supplementing your diet with whey protein powders is not cheap. Taking the recommended dosage of a decent powder can cost $50+ per month.
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