Protein is a crucial macronutrient required for muscle growth, recovery, repair, and other crucial physiological functions. Among those concerned about their health, protein powders are a very common supplement. Although retail outlets, petrol stations, and grocery stores sell protein shakes that are ready to drink, doing it yourself at home is far less expensive and much faster.
One of the most often asked concerns about protein powders is “how long does a protein drink last after mixing?” because it’s extremely normal for individuals to pre-mix their protein shakes but not immediately consume them.
Nevertheless, you could be concerned about its quality or safety based on how long that tub of protein powder has been in your kitchen cupboard.
This article explores whether protein shakes expire and the safety level for individuals for its consumption.
How Long Does A Protein Shake Last At Room Temperature?
It’s perfectly acceptable to combine your protein powder and store it in the refrigerator if it doesn’t include digestive enzymes.
A protein shake that has been refrigerated will keep for 48 to 72 hours as long as it stays cool. Regardless of whether the protein shake contains digestive enzymes or not, you should take it within 20 to 30 minutes of mixing if you are unable to refrigerate it immediately.
Having said that, plant-based protein powder may last up to 45–60 minutes at room temperature because it won’t deteriorate as quickly as protein derived from dairy would. Remember that if the protein powder cools to room temperature, it might not taste very good. According to several supplement manufacturers, protein powder should be combined with cold water, milk, or a milk replacement.
How Long Can A Protein Shake Last In The Fridge?
72 hours are acceptable for storing a homemade shake in the refrigerator, but only in extreme cases. However, you’ll need to re-blend or shake the mixture before drinking because separation does occur.
So if you combine the powder with water or milk, you have the go-ahead to prepare your shake the night before. It will save you some time while you’re rushing through the house in the morning looking for your gym membership card. However, if you’re adding more ingredients, you should reconsider letting your shakes out overnight. The quality, flavor, and texture decline, particularly if fruits are added.
Is It Possible To Save Protein Shakes For Later Use?
Although there are other options, protein powder is a simple and practical method to add protein to your drinks. As a basis, you may also use milk or nut milk. Yogurt can be added for thickness and a bit more protein. Nut butter can be added for taste and nutrition.
You can even add greens like spinach. Although you may prepare this protein shake in advance, many natural components will change color and texture as they sit.
Continue reading this until the end to save it for later. If you’re using whey or casein powder in your protein shakes, keep them in a glass pitcher. These have the potential to smell bad and soak through the plastic.
If you want to let your protein shake rest for a whole night, avoid adding bananas since they will turn brown even after being well mixed. Your protein shakes’ flavor or nutritional content is unaffected by this, but it may make them appear unappealing. Protein shakes shouldn’t contain raw eggs, especially if you plan to store them overnight.
How To Identify If A Protein Shake Has Gone Bad?
Protein shakes should be taken within two hours at room temperature since they quickly get foul after mixing. Or after being refrigerated for 24 hours. First you have to identify if protein drink is bad or not. The odor is the clearest indicator. Discard it and create a new one if it smells strange. However, if the flavor is off from what you expected, it could also be poor.
Otherwise, you can get a protein shake with an odd, chunky, fragmented consistency and a bad flavor and unpleasant smell. Other clues include clumpy or slimy texture changes, indicating whether your shake has become sour. Separation of liquid and protein powder is another possibility.
How Long Do Protein Shakes Last After Mixing?
The fact that no research has been done to determine how long protein shakes would persist after being combined with water or milk is crucial to note. The majority of experts believe that the protein shakes will remain consumable for 48 to 72 hours after mixing if they are stored in a refrigerator.
However, there are other circumstances, such as when the protein shake is combined with additional components or similar situations when you should aim to take it immediately.
How Long Will Protein Powder Or Fresh Ingredients Last?
How long after production food keeps its highest quality is referred to as “shelf life.” Dietary supplement producers are not obligated to mark the items with an expiration date. However, many businesses voluntarily include an expiration date or “best by” stamp next to the manufacture date.
In these situations, it is on to the producer to provide evidence to support the accuracy of the expiration date listed on their products. Whey protein powder has a shelf life of more than 12 months, and under typical storage conditions of 70°F (21°C) and 35 percent humidity, it can last up to 19 months.
A product’s stability can be assessed using an accelerated shelf-life test, which involves keeping it under demanding circumstances like high temperatures and humidity. The different protein powder types described in the preceding paragraph also have a role. Although there are many other kinds of protein powders available, these are the most popular ones:
- Dairy-based: casein, hydrolyzed whey protein, hydrolyzed whey protein, milk protein isolate, and whey protein concentration
- Egg-based consists of egg white protein
- Plant-based protein sources include pea, brown rice, watermelon seed, mung bean, and pumpkin seed proteins.
- Blends: products that include two or more different kinds of protein powder
Any protein powder containing dairy or eggs will deteriorate more easily than protein powder from plants or vegans. After combining, be sure to store it in the refrigerator or enjoy it right away. Vegan protein powders will last a little longer, but it also depends on what else is in them, including creamers, digestive enzymes, and other additives.
Conclusion
Protein powder is an easy, delicious, adaptable, and effective method for you to get your recommended daily dose of protein. Protein powders are one of the products that are most frequently endorsed for muscle growth. The market for protein powder keeps expanding in popularity, especially given the variety of options. Right now, there is a protein powder that will suit your demands regardless of your diet.
Protein powder may be included in a variety of baking recipes, including smoothies, oats, cream of rice, and Greek yogurt, among other foods. The days of downing a protein shake as soon as you finish your final set of exercises are long gone, thanks to protein powder, a very adaptable product.
One of their main advantages is that protein powders are very affordable and convenient to travel with. Making a protein drink and leaving the house takes much less time than cooking dinner. It is advisable to consume protein and carbs after working out to promote muscle protein synthesis and jump-start recuperation.
