12 Best Protein Powders For Men Over 40 To Gain Muscle in 2023

If you’re a man over 40, you’ve probably started wondering what you can do to keep your muscles strong and healthy as you age.

Chances are you’ve also started looking for ways to boost your energy and your overall well-being. Well, one of the most important nutrients for achieving these goals is protein!

Table of Contents

• Why Having Protein In Your Diet Matters
• Recommended Daily Protein Intake For Men Over 40
• The Importance of Protein Powder
• Types of Protein Powder For Men Over 40
• Choosing The Best Protein Powder For You
• 12 Best Protein Powders For Men Over 40
• Tips For Incorporating Protein Powder Into Your Diet
• Tips For Adding Protein Powder To Meals
• Final Thoughts

Why Having Protein In Your Diet Matters

Protein is the building block of muscle tissue. It is what helps repair and maintain your muscles. It also supports your immune system, hormone production, and skin health.

Having more protein in your diet also helps you feel fuller for longer, which can prevent overeating and weight gain.

But as you get older, your body’s ability to use protein efficiently declines. This means you need more protein to maintain your muscle mass. The amount of protein you need varies based on your weight and fitness goals.

This makes it crucial for men over 40 to consume enough high-quality protein every day. Protein is essential for building muscle, weight loss, and overall health.

Unfortunately, getting enough protein from food alone can be quite challenging. This is especially true if you have a busy schedule or dietary restrictions.

That’s where protein powders come in! Using protein supplements is a great way to reach your protein goals.

Protein powders are convenient supplements that help you meet your protein needs. They come in different forms and flavors. 

In this article, we’ll help you find the best protein powders for men over 40 that are designed to help you gain muscle in 2023.

We’ll also explain what to look for in a protein powder and how to use it effectively. Additionally, you’ll also get a list of some of the top products on the market today.

By the end of this article, finding that perfect protein powder for your needs should be a breeze. 

Let’s get started!

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Recommended Daily Protein Intake For Men Over 40

The recommended daily protein intake for men over 40 depends on several factors. Some of these are your body weight, activity level, and health status. 

Generally speaking, though, experts recommend consuming 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 80 kg (176 lbs), you need about 64 grams of protein per day.

However, this amount may not be enough if you’re active or trying to build muscle, gain lean body mass, or maintain your energy levels. Muscle protein synthesis is how your body turns protein into muscle making protein a key building block in the process.

In that case, you may need up to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 80 kg (176 lbs), you need about 128 grams of protein per day.

To put these numbers into perspective, a chicken breast has about 31 grams of protein, a cup of milk has about 8 grams of protein, and a large egg has about 6 grams of protein.

As you can see, it can be quite a challenge to get enough protein from food alone. That’s why a lot of people opt to supplement with protein powder.

The Importance of Protein Powder

Should men over 40 take protein? The answer to that question depends. Let’s learn more. Protein powder is a convenient and versatile supplement that can help you meet your protein needs.

It has several advantages over food protein, such as:

• It’s easy to prepare: You just need to mix it with water or milk and drink it. You can also add it to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, or baked goods for extra flavor and nutrition.
• It’s fast-digesting and absorbable: It can reach your muscles quickly and provide them with the amino acids they need. This is especially important after a workout when your muscles are most in need of repair. 
• It’s high-quality and complete: It contains all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own and that are necessary for muscle growth. Some types of protein powder also have added benefits such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, or probiotics.

That said, some protein powders are better suited for men over 40 than others. We’ll dive deeper into this in the next sections.

Types of Protein Powder for Men Over 40

There are many types of protein powder on the market today. And what is the best protein for over 40? The answer depends on your needs and preferences.

Here are some of the most common ones for men over 40:

Whey Protein Powder For Men

Whey protein is one of the most popular and widely used types of protein powder. It’s derived from milk and contains all nine essential amino acids.

It’s also fast-digesting and absorbable, making it ideal for post-workout recovery.

Some of the benefits of whey protein for men over 40 are:

• It can help increase muscle mass and strength, especially when combined with resistance training.
• It can help reduce body fat and improve body composition, especially when combined with a calorie-restricted diet.
• It can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• It can help boost immune function and fight infections

Some of the drawbacks of whey protein for men over 40 are:

• It can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea in some people, especially those who are lactose intolerant
• It can interact with some medications such as antibiotics or blood thinners
• It can be expensive compared to other types of protein powder

Casein Protein For Men

Casein protein is another type of protein powder derived from milk.

Unlike whey protein, which is fast-digesting and absorbable, casein protein is slow-digesting and forms a gel-like substance in your stomach.

This makes it ideal for before bed or between meals, as it can provide a sustained release of amino acids to your muscles throughout the night or day.

Some of the benefits of casein protein for men over 40 are:

• It can help prevent muscle breakdown during periods of fasting or calorie restriction.
• It can help increase satiety and reduce appetite to prevent overeating and weight gain.
• It can help improve dental health and prevent tooth decay

Some of the drawbacks of casein protein for men over 40 are:

• It can cause the same digestive issues as whey protein in some people
• It can also interact with some medications such as antibiotics or blood thinners
• It can be less effective than whey protein for increasing muscle mass and strength

Soy Protein For Men

Soy protein is a type of plant-based protein powder derived from soybeans.

It’s one of the few plant-based proteins that contains all nine essential amino acids.

It’s also fast-digesting and absorbable, making it suitable for post-workout recovery.

Some of the benefits of soy protein for men over 40 are:

• It can help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood vessel function
• It can help prevent prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which are common conditions that affect men over 40.
• It can help improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis

Some of the drawbacks of soy protein for men over 40 are:

• It can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to soy
• It can interfere with thyroid function and hormone balance in some people who have hypothyroidism or low testosterone levels
• It can be contaminated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or pesticides, depending on the source and quality of the soybeans.

Pea Protein For Men

Pea protein is another type of plant-based protein powder derived from yellow peas.

It’s high in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are important for muscle growth and recovery.

It’s also slow-digesting and absorbable, making it suitable for before bed or between meals.

Some of the benefits of pea protein for men over 40 are:

• It can help increase muscle mass and strength
• It can help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood vessel function
• It can help reduce body fat and improve body composition, especially when combined with a calorie-restricted diet.
• Great option if you have lactose intolerance.

Some of the drawbacks of pea protein for men over 40 are:

• It can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea in some people, especially those who are not used to consuming high-fiber foods or have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• It can be less effective than animal-based proteins for increasing muscle mass and strength
• It can have a bland or chalky taste and texture

Choosing the Best Protein Powder for Men Over 40

Now that you know the different types of protein powder and their pros and cons, you might be wondering how to choose the best one for your needs and goals.

Why go for a high-quality protein powder?

A high-quality protein powder: 

• Has a high protein content and a low carbohydrate and fat content. A good rule of thumb is to look for a protein powder that has at least 20 grams of protein per serving and less than 5 grams of carbs and fat per serving.
• Has a complete amino acid profile and a high leucine content. A complete amino acid profile means that the protein powder contains all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. 
• Has minimal additives and artificial ingredients. It should have few or no added sugar, sweeteners, flavors, colors, preservatives, or fillers. These ingredients can affect the taste, texture, and nutritional value of the protein powder.
• Has third-party certification and testing. Check to see if it has a seal of approval from an independent organization that verifies the quality, purity, and safety of the product. Some examples of reputable third-party certifiers are NSF International, Informed Choice, and Labdoor.

Factors to consider when choosing a protein powder:

Besides the quality of the protein powder, here are some other factors that you should consider:

• Your personal preferences and goals. For example, if eat a vegan diet or have lactose intolerant, you should opt for a plant-based protein powder instead of an animal-based one. If you’re trying to lose weight or control your blood sugar levels, you should opt for a low-carb or low-sugar protein powder instead of a high-carb or high-sugar one.
• Your activity level and timing. For example, if you’re active or trying to build muscle, you should opt for a fast-digesting and absorbable protein powder such as whey or soy to consume after your workout..
• Your health status and medical conditions. For example, if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, you should opt for a low-sodium or low-fat protein powder such as whey isolate or soy isolate. 

By considering these factors, you should be able to narrow down your options significantly. Now let’s look at some of our top recommendations: 

12 Best Protein Powders For Men Over 40

If you’re wondering what is the best protein for men over 40, this section will help you pick the perfect protein for you.

Just Ingredients

Promix

Promix is also part of 1% for the Planet and independently lab tested for heavy metals.

Truvani

NorCal Organic

KOS

Ascent 100% Whey

Thrive Market Organic Whey

Garden of Life

Levels Grass Fed

It’s Just! Egg White Protein

Earth Chimp

Nutiva

Ritual Essential Protein

Because of their special formulation, Ritual has the best protein powder for 50 year old man – the Daily Shake 50+. It’s also formulated as the best protein powder for 50 year old woman.

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Tips for Incorporating Protein Powder into Your Diet

Once you’ve chosen the best protein powder, you need to incorporate it into your diet effectively. 

The simplest way to do this is to mix it with water or milk and drink it as a shake. You can do this before or after your workout, before bed, or between meals.

However, you are not limited to shakes! You can also add it to other foods and beverages to boost their protein content and flavor.

For example, you can add protein powder to:

• Smoothies
• Oatmeal
• Yogurt
• Pancakes
• Muffins
• Cookies
• Brownies
• Soups
• Sauces
• Dips

Just be creative with it and don’t be afraid to experiment! 

Tips For Adding Protein Powder To Meals

When adding protein powder to meals, there are some things you should keep in mind, such as:

• Choose a protein powder that complements the taste and texture of the food. For example, if you’re adding protein powder to oatmeal, you might want to choose a vanilla or cinnamon flavor instead of a chocolate or strawberry flavor.
• Adjust the amount of liquid and other ingredients accordingly. For example, if you’re adding protein powder to oatmeal, you might need to add more water or milk to prevent it from becoming too thick or dry. 
• Use a blender or a whisk to mix the protein powder well with the food. For example, if you’re adding protein powder to smoothies, you might want to use a blender to ensure a smooth and creamy consistency. 

Final Thoughts on The Best Protein Powders For Men In Their 40s

This guide has covered the importance of protein for men over 40, the different types of protein powders and their pros and cons, and how to choose the best option for your needs.

Hopefully, you have learned something new that you can start implementing in your own life right away!

And if you are stuck on what product to go for, simply choose any from this list and you’ll be fine! All the products above are hand-picked to ensure they are high-quality and high-performance, which pretty much guarantees that they’ll help you achieve your desired results faster. Good luck!