How long does protein last after opening the can?

Shelf life of the protein after opening the package

The storage time of an open package is significantly reduced. It is recommended to leave the powder in this state in a dry and cool place. The pack must be well sealed. If the additive is in a jar, then tightly close the lid so that it does not disappear.

An open pack can be consumed within three weeks.

A month is the deadline. Long-term storage reduces the effectiveness and benefits of casein protein drink.

Interaction with oxygen and an environment with high humidity leads to the appearance of bacteria and harmful microorganisms. This can cause stomach illnesses.

Shelf life of protein shake

Protein shake and dry powder, of course, have different shelf life.

The dissolved mixture must be drunk within 3-4 hours.

Manufacturers indicate that each serving should be taken immediately before use.

Inexperienced athletes and beginners try to deceive themselves by putting a cocktail mixed in a shaker in the refrigerator, thinking that the low temperature will prolong the freshness of the diluted mixture and retain all the beneficial substances. Cooling the prepared drink affects freshness, but increases it by only 30 minutes. As a result, if an athlete does not drink the mixture for 5 hours, the enzymes that make up the solution will destroy protein compounds.

It is easy to find out whether protein diluted with water has spoiled if the athlete has previously tried an effective fresh cocktail:

• the taste of the diluted protein mixture changes;
• after taking the solution, an unusual aftertaste remains in the mouth;
• An unpleasant odor appears from the oral cavity.

How to check the authenticity of a protein?

Today, sports nutrition is gaining popularity, which is why many fakes are appearing. Recently, cases have become more frequent when a purchased protein drug turns out to be counterfeit. Fortunately, it doesn't cause any harm to your health, but it does hurt your wallet and doesn't live up to your expectations.

It is quite difficult to distinguish real protein from ordinary flour, and chemical analysis of the powder in a special laboratory will cost you a considerable amount. This is usually what scammers count on. What should you pay special attention to and how to check the purchased protein?

The analysis of the protein complex should begin at the store window, with a detailed study of the appearance of the packaging. The pack must be sealed tightly. Plastic packages are wrapped using a special wide film.

There should be no breaks in the film or label. Particular attention should be paid to the expiration date indicated on the drug. We advise you not to purchase sports nutrition if the expiration date is approaching, since storage conditions in the store may differ significantly from those recommended.

Proteins and carbohydrates are substances that dissolve in water and have different properties, they all manifest themselves differently in water. Once in a hot liquid, the proteins coagulate into lumps. Knowing about these properties, you can independently check the protein’s naturalness at home.

• Tip 1: after purchasing, place a small amount of protein in warm water. Real protein must coagulate.
• 2nd tip: dilute twenty grams of protein powder with one hundred milligrams of water: you should get a mixture similar to cottage cheese. Protein has the property of swelling in water, but flour does not give such thickness.

December 9, 2014

Protein, like many other protein products, has a minimum shelf life.

Athletes often complain that they don’t have time to finish a recently purchased can of protein before it expires. But is this product dangerous for athletes if its expiration date has expired? Does this change its taste somehow?

It is believed that in a closed, hermetically sealed state, the protein can be stored for quite a long time - up to two years.

Moreover, the American product has an even longer shelf life - three years. However, when opened, the protein can be stored in different ways. Much depends on its type.

• Whey Protein. This type of protein is today considered the most biologically valuable drink among its analogues. It is made from natural protein, and its shelf life is not too long. Of course, in a closed, airtight container it will keep for a year or more, and if you open the product, you should use it within three to four weeks.
• Whey Gold Standard. The high-quality protein Whey Gold Standard, so beloved by many athletes, has a shelf life of 24 months. Once opened, it can be stored for no more than thirty days.
• Protein Dimatize. Many athletes are faced with the fact that they cannot find the expiration date on the Dimatize protein label. Typically the label with this information on this product is located exactly below the barcode. The shelf life of Dimatize protein reaches 2 years.

What to do with expired protein

You need to know that an expired dietary supplement is devoid of nutrients. Therefore, there is no positive impact. Much worse - problems with the gastrointestinal tract may arise.

When drinking a drink whose safe use period has ended, you need to be prepared for undesirable consequences: flatulence, bloating, discomfort, pain, cramps.

To avoid unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to dispose of products after the expiration date.

Briefly about production

We must not forget that the most popular types of proteins (whey or casein) are made from dairy products.

That is, sports nutrition is, roughly speaking, a dehydrated version of the same whey or milk. Production technologies, of course, differ, but the essence remains the same. Protein is a natural product that has a shelf life and can deteriorate over time.

For a better understanding, let’s briefly look at the stages of sports nutrition production:

1. In the first stage, the whey is separated from the milk. It is made by fermenting milk, when cottage cheese and fats are separated from the total mass. At the same time, cottage cheese remains a “carrier” of casein, and whey remains a “carrier” of whey protein.
2. The whey is then separated into its individual components. This can be done using a special membrane filtration method (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration).
3. Then the resulting composition goes through the stage of concentration and drying.
4. The output is a finished protein with varying percentages of protein content - from 60 to 95%.

Of course, all stages of production are considered conditionally. The main task is to convey that the protein is of exclusively natural origin.

What happens if you use a delay

It is believed that expired matrix protein does not cause any harm to the body. It is sold at a significantly reduced price, which creates increased demand. According to reviews on the forums, many inexperienced athletes buy it on sale, not wanting to understand that the expiration date has expired and it is dangerous for the body.

An expired additive can be compared to the most complex analogue of rotten meat or sour milk. Taking it overdue will lead to intestinal disorders. The most common are flatulence and diarrhea.

If the storage period stated by the manufacturer has expired and 1 year has passed since then, it is better not to use the additive.

Although reviews on forums say that no side effects are observed.

Six months have passed since lactomin 80 was opened. I drank an old cocktail and nothing happened to my stomach

But you should remember that jokes with health are bad, and such a drink can pose a real threat to the body and will definitely not make you stronger and more energetic.

Sports supplements help keep muscles in excellent tone, and they also increase strength and endurance. But the result will be noticeable only if you use high-quality sports nutrition. If its composition is very questionable, refuse to use such an additive. Also, many exercisers make another mistake - they consume expired protein. Although harmless, the supplement can be harmful to your health as it loses its properties after the expiration date.

Is it possible to drink expired protein?

The advantage of protein is that it is convenient to use, and it is made exclusively from natural ingredients. When using a high-quality supplement, you will notice that the amount of subcutaneous fat has decreased and the muscles have become more prominent. If you don't see results, it could be due to incorrect dosage, lack of exercise, or poor quality of the supplement.

Check out our article What is protein for?

Each product has a certain expiration date. The manufacturer indicates this information on the packaging; it is necessary to determine the quality of the product. Sports nutrition has a long shelf life, but even if in this case you haven’t had time to use the protein, throw away the old packaging and buy a new one.

The shelf life of the supplement depends on the composition, manufacturer and storage conditions. The general lifespan is around 2 or 3 years, but this means you should not open the package. But a can of protein that is opened at least once has a much shorter shelf life. In addition, you must comply with the storage conditions indicated by the manufacturer. Otherwise, sports nutrition will lose its properties within a couple of weeks. If you follow the manufacturer's storage recommendations, you can extend the life of sports nutrition as long as possible.

Is it possible to drink expired protein? No, doctors recommend abandoning this idea. We understand that you feel sorry for the money you spent and don't want to throw away a half-filled jar. But still, if you value your health, give up this idea and buy fresh protein.

How to identify spoiled protein

If the product has deteriorated, you can even determine it visually. Look at its consistency - if there are lumps in it or if the mixture has changed shade or color, it is spoiled.

Consequences of use

If you are still hesitant and still want to use an expired product, familiarize yourself with the possible consequences that may occur. Of course, you will not have serious poisoning, and there is no threat to life. But there may still be some problems: diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas formation. And of course, an expired product will not benefit the body, since it no longer contains the necessary nutrients.

How to properly store protein

You will find more detailed information on the label. If we talk about general recommendations, the jar with the additive should be in a dry place, out of direct sunlight. Place the container as far as possible from heat sources; the room temperature should be within +20- +25 degrees Celsius. A slight upward or downward deviation of 3-5 degrees is possible. After each use, carefully inspect the jar and make sure how tightly you close the lid.

Discounts

If the store offers you to buy protein several times cheaper, then most likely it is expired. In this way, “stale” goods are sold. Well, it should be thrown away, but many people manage to sell it.

If you order sports nutrition online, be sure to ask your consultant about expiration dates when ordering. If they send you an expired product, refuse to pay for it.

Each body reacts differently to poor quality sports nutrition. Some people don’t have any consequences, while others don’t leave the toilet all day. And of course, do not forget that such a product does not contain the required amount of nutrients.

Men's online magazine Mensweekly.ru

About different types of protein

Whey Protein

Today it is the most in demand. Prepared on the basis of whey. The filtration process removes fats and other non-protein substances.

Whey drink quickly starts metabolism, reduces fat absorption, and supplies amino acids necessary for muscle building.

Depending on the amount of protein there is:

• concentrate, which consists of 89% protein, some fat and lactose;
• whey isolate contains up to 95% of the substance, almost no lactose and fat;
• whey hydrolyzate contains 99% of the substance.

The more protein in the composition, the higher the cost. Concentrate is the most popular product with a normal price and good effect. The Elite has the best value in this segment.

Characteristics of whey powder BSN Syntha 6:

• absorption occurs quickly, the drink can be taken before and after training;
• dissolves well and tastes good;
• high biological value;
• consists of a large number of amino acids.

Some athletes use it at night and as a snack between meals.

The best concentrates include the following brands:

• Optimum Nutrition 100% ON Whey Gold Standard (Optimum Nutrition),
• Ultimate Nutrition Prostar 100% Whey Protein,
• SAN 100% Pure Titanium Whey,
• F85 Protein.

There are multicomponent innovative mixtures, including:

• Multiprotein Energy pro (Energy),
• hy pro 85,
• mutant,
• ostrovit (Ostrovit),
• power system
• Rule One Proteins,
• San.

Hydrolysates

It can be a hydrolyzate of whey or beef protein. The product is a high-quality source of protein, so the cost is high. The composition contains peptides that are characterized by a very high absorption rate and provide an anabolic effect. Compared to concentrate, hydrolyzate has a better effect on the digestive system. Its main advantage is a high degree of cleansing of the body.

This protein solution will appeal to those who want to quickly restore strength after a workout, replenish glycogen reserves, and gain muscle mass in a short time. Use before sports and after intense exercise.

The best hydrolysates:

• Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey,
• BioTech Hydro Whey Zero,
• maxler (Maxler).

Milk protein

The product decomposes at a rate of 4.5 g/hour. It has a budget price, excellent composition with amino acids. But they contain lactate. The product is not absorbed in every body, so there is a high probability of deterioration of intestinal functions.

Protein in the form of egg powder

These products are as close to the ideal composition as possible. It contains almost the entire complex of amino acids. The nutritional value of the powder is the highest.

Egg product in dissolved form has 2 disadvantages: it is expensive and gives the possibility of side effects - constipation, flatulence and other gastrointestinal disorders. According to this criterion, it is inferior to whey drink.

The product works for 3-5 hours. Use in the morning, after training. It is especially recommended for people with intolerance to dairy products.

Famous and popular products:

• Egg Protein from Optimum Nutrition,
• Egg White Protein from Body First.

Isolate

This is a combination of proteins that is obtained from whey. The powder does not contain non-amino acid substances, as it has undergone maximum purification. There is almost no lactose, its concentration is no more than 1%. Absorption occurs quickly and delivers nutritional compounds to the body. Indispensable for people with milk sugar intolerance, during dieting, drying the body.

The best brands of this sports nutrition include:

• Iso-100 from Dymatize;
• VPLab Platinum Whey;
• Iso Sensation from Ultimate Nutrition;
• Zero Carb by VPX;
• Varcil R2;
• syntrax Matrix (Matrix).

Soybean powder

The supplement is absorbed at a rate of 4 grams per hour. Some experts consider it inferior. But if you combine it with grain products, the effect will not be long in coming. Soy protein is loved by vegetarians and people who are lactose intolerant. The solution helps lower cholesterol levels, but is less effective than other supplements.

Famous brands:

• 100% Soy Protein from Optimum Nutrition;
• Soy Protein 80+ from Weider, mass effect.

What's in Protein Powder?

Proteins are proteins that are made up of amino acids. It is the main component of animal and plant cells.

Simple proteins are recommended to be taken as a sports protein supplement during intense sports, such as bodybuilding and powerlifting. This is necessary to:

• reduce body fat;
• build muscle;
• increase endurance;
• improve digestive and metabolic processes;
• strengthen the immune system;
• maintain healthy physical shape.

Important! Protein powder cannot completely replace proteins. It can only be eaten as an addition to the main menu, which should be composed rationally from ordinary products.

Depending on what the protein is made of, there are several types. The three most common are:

• whey;
• casein;
• soy.

In addition to the simple proteins themselves, which the powder contains from 60 to 90%, the protein powder also includes a number of micro- and macroelements (for example, calcium, iron) and vitamins, and they, in turn:

• promote better protein absorption;
• participate in cell restoration and renewal;
• have an antioxidant effect;
• strengthen bone tissue;
• contribute to the normalization of the nervous system.

It will be useful for novice athletes to learn how to drink protein correctly.

Since pure protein is tasteless, substances are added to the powder that give it sweetness and a pleasant taste. Different manufacturers add different ingredients to protein powder. When choosing it, you should give preference to a product from a well-known brand with a good reputation. In order to consume the powder, it must be mixed with liquid and drunk. To achieve your goal, you need to drink it according to a plan, at a certain time of day and during certain periods of physical activity.

This is interesting: When buying cosmetics, beware of fakes!

Did you know? The world's first dietary supplement was released by Nutrilite in 1934. It consisted of plant components: alfalfa, watercress, parsley and yeast. The developer of the first dietary supplement was the American chemist Carl Rehnborg.