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Top 10 Casein Protein Powders Reviews.

Top 10 Casein Protein Powders
Alex Platt

08/13/2020 · 15 min reading

Casein protein powder comes from milk, digesting slowly as it is processed by the body. When consumed, the powder clumps together in the stomach, slowly releasing amino acids in the bloodstream over a sustained length of time. By feeling satiated for up to six to eight hours, casein is particularly helpful to anyone looking to cut calories.

How to choose the best casein protein powders

When you look for the right product for you need, look for 20 to 30 grams of protein per serving to pack enough punch for your workout. Experts recommend this amount for muscle building specifically for men, as it keeps muscles healthy and prevents fatigue. 1

You might also want to taste the casein powder to see if you like the flavor. You should be able to mix it well with water, milk, and other liquids. Avoid products with a lot of ingredients and sweetener. Some form huge chunks that could be difficult to swallow, so if this is an issue for you, find one that you can mix smoothly.

If you are an athlete, make sure that the product has been tested for banned substances. Talk to other people who have used this product to see what they think about it, giving you a better idea of its reputation.

Benefits of casein protein

There are a lot of benefits of casein protein consumption, including:

Muscle retention

Casein protein digests very slowly, which allows your muscles to use for hours after it is consumed. You can use it after exercising to continuously supply amino acids to recovery muscles, and it works especially well at night because it feeds muscle while you are sleeping. 2

Fat loss

Casein is a pure protein, with no carbohydrates or fat, so using it will make you feel fuller for longer. Studies show that it decreases the intake of calories (, since you won’t feel hungry while the body processes it. This not only leads to fat loss but also preserves muscle (one of the main benefits of casein protein). People with more muscle mass require more calories, leading to weight loss when the body doesn’t eat for a while.

Increased protein levels

Protein is important for building muscle, bones, skin, and blood. Casein has a large amount of protein compared to soy. Consuming it will help you meet the minimum requirement of protein that your body needs. Vegetarians can use the supplement to increase their protein intake.

What Differentiates Casein from Whey

Both are complete proteins containing all essential amino acids that humans need. The body can easily digest and absorb them, which is why they are commonplace among fitness circles.

Despite this similarity in the way that the proteins are digested, two distinct benefits separate them – the rate of digestion and protein profile.

Whey is the faster-acting protein. It reaches the bloodstream quicker. It also elevates blood amino acid levels in the bloodstream faster, but it begins to dissipate roughly three hours after ingestion. Casein is the slow-acting protein, as it reaches the bloodstream slower and can take eight hours before you become hungry again.

Though both are casein and whey are types of protein, they don’t share the essential amino acids. For instance, whey has more leucine than casein, which could help you build more muscle.

Best way to use casein protein

Casein offers an easy way to increase protein in the diet, though the amount that you use will depend on multiple factors, like the other protein sources used and your current weight.

Use a large amount if you are only using casein as the exclusive source of protein. If you are a 200-pound man who wants to build muscle, you need about 40 to 50 grams of casein protein daily. 3

While it’s okay to use casein at any time of the day, it works better at night or when you haven’t eaten. I personally prefer to mix this type of powder with milk, but it can be mixed with water as well. Since it is absorbed slowly, it will supply your body with a steady amount of amino acid as you rest.

If you are using it pre-workout, use a brand that is absorbed faster to ensure that you have the support you need at the gym. 4

Casein protein dangers

Before using casein protein supplements (or any other formula), read the package and only use the recommended dosage. Consult your doctor to avoid potential casein protein dangers, which is particularly important if you suffer from allergies or lactose intolerance.

If you suffer from either of these problems, you may start throwing up or develop rashes by using casein. If this happens, stop using the supplement immediately.

Luckily, apart from an aversion to milk as a trigger, these reactions are rare. Some people experience an upset stomach, but nothing more. To reduce the risk of these casein protein dangers, only use it after eating.

Casein Protein Powder Reviews

1 Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein
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With 120 calories, you get 24 grams of protein in each serving of the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard formula, sparing your muscles for at least eight hours. It is smooth and dissolves well when mixed with water or another beverage. Every serving has very few carbs, sugar, and fat, which is important when you are losing weight.

This casein powder uses micellar casein, which digests the slowest of all casein types. It can form a gel and provide a sustained release of amino acids. It also contains 5 grams of glutamine and glutamic acid. These increase strength and aid in recovery, making it helpful to athletes and other people who lead an active lifestyle. With Aminogen, the formula is easy to digest.

It comes in multiple flavors, which include chocolate cake butter, banana cream, chocolate peanut butter, and mint chocolate chip. Mix mint chocolate chip with some almond milk and ice and you have a healthy yet tasty treat. You could also try little scoop with chocolate cake butter flavor for a perfect pre-workout supplement.

When you exercise a lot, your body releases more ammonia to muscles, which could slow recovery. Using this product could aid quick recovery by reducing the ammonia in the blood.

Pros

  • Has low calories
  • Has a natural sweetener
  • Better absorption of nutrients with Aminogen
  • Appetizing taste

Cons

  • Carrageenan may affect digestion
  • Has high sodium content

2 MusclePharm Combat 100% Casein

MusclePharm Combat 100% Casein
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Each serving contains 28 grams of protein, two grams of carbs, and no fat. This makes it the ideal product to use if you like to eat clean or want to lose weight. This would have worked when I was taking bikes rides and tennis lessons to lose weight. Consuming a pre-workout like this remedy from MusclePharm gives you sustained energy when exercising.

It has a wonderful taste and dissolves quickly in water. It comes in assorted flavors: chocolate peanut butter, cookies, and cream, creamy vanilla, mint chocolate, strawberry cream, and banana cream.

It has digestive enzyme blends, which distribute the products without causing stomach upset. This might be preferable if using casein upsets your stomach. However, it is lumpy, so it does not dissolve well when mixed with water or milk. It forms thick chunks that make it difficult to swallow without gagging.

This powder is gluten-free, which reduced depression, lactose tolerance and joint pain. 5

It is one of the best casein protein before bed and for people who are watching their weight. It has low amounts of lactose, ideal if you do not tolerate lactose well.

Pros

  • Gluten-free
  • Contains no fat and only onegram of sugar
  • Has digestive enzymes
  • Has low calories

Cons

  • Does not taste good
  • Does not mix well

3 Naked Casein

Naked Casein
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This casein protein powder is quite easy to use. Take two rounded scoops and mix with 2 to 10 ounces of water of your favorite beverage. Blend it for 25 seconds to create a smooth texture, which is my personal preference.

Since it’s only casein, it doesn’t have much of a taste. If you don’t like sweet protein powders this is a good option. It still tastes good even with water, but you can boost the taste by mixing it with milk of your choice.

In the two-scoop serving, there are 26 grams of protein per serving of this non-stimulant pre-workout product, making it ideal for building lean muscle. It also has zero grams of fat, zero grams of carbs, and zero grams of sugar. It has nothing artificial, no sweeteners. It’s gluten-free, soy-free, it has no GMOs. There are also no growth hormones, making it a clean natural pre-workout supplement.

It is 110 calories per serving, which works for a clean diet because it’s just protein. It uses very high-quality micellar casein protein. It’s slow digesting, making it the best casein protein before bed. It gives a nice slow and steady flow of amino acids, working well with my workout needs.

It also has 5.4 grams of BCAAs. This helps build and repair muscle. I did not see any side effects after using this product. I think that you will like it, especially if you want to build lean muscle mass.

Pros

  • No additives
  • No sugar
  • No chemicals

Cons

  • Difficult to mix
  • Clumps easily

4 Dymatize Nutrition Elite Casein

Dymatize Nutrition Elite Casein
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The satisfying taste of the Dymatize Nutrition Elite Casein may be credited to the artificial flavors and sweeteners. Mix it to a ratio of one scoop of protein to one scoop of water, giving it a smooth and rich texture when blended with a shaker cup. You can also mix it with something with a little more flavor to enhance the taste of cookies and cream or cinnamon buns (which are just a few of the available flavors).

It has 24 grams of casein protein in it. This is a great amount to help the protein that the body releases over several hours. So, it can be useful if consumed after an intense workout session. It also has BCAAs, which aid in faster recovery of muscle.

It’s low in sugar and low in fat and carbs. It has a good enzyme blend that improves digestion and absorption. This maximizes the benefits of using casein.

It’s a bit higher in calcium and a bit lower in saturated fat when compared with other casein protein products. Though it is a bit higher in sodium, this isn’t by much.

Pros

  • Testing proves that this formula contains no banned ingredients
  • Has particularly good taste
  • Mixes well

Cons

  • Has sweeteners and artificial flavors
  • Has sodium
  • Pricey

5 Kaged Muscle Kasein

Kaged Muscle Kasein
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This one has 25 grams of protein per serving. It has amino acids to help your body recover and gain strength. Kaged muscle has tested the products to make sure that the right amount of ingredients. So, what you see in the container is what you are going to get.

It has 150 calories in total. 2.5 grams of fat, 7 grams of carbs, and only two grams of sugar. If you have dairy allergies, this formula provides a dairy-free source of casein, offering less than 1 gram of lactose.

There is no gluten, there is no soy and no impurities, artificial colors, and flavors. So, if you are looking for a healthy alternative, this is the product you should use. Works well if used at night.

The shake is thicker than other its competitors, mixing more like a gel than a watery drink. This gives you a slow release of the into your bloodstream and your muscle.

Pros

  • No artificial sweeteners
  • Dairy-free
  • Mixes well
  • No gluten
  • No soy

Cons

  • A lot of calories

6 Legion Casein+

Legion Casein+
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Legion Casein is high in protein. There is 5% of daily intake of sodium, 6% of iron, and 4% of potassium. It also contains amino acids, but no artificial flavors or sweeteners to impede the taste. It comes in chocolate, vanilla flavor, banana cream, and strawberry (though I’m partial to the chocolate flavor).

It has 50% of the recommended daily calcium, so it could double as a calcium supplement. It’s the best pre-workout for women who might need extra calcium.

It has natural flavor – sea salt and stevia leaf extract. There is also soy lecithin to help with mixability. It is also easy to digest, which should work well for a sensitive stomach.

It has not fat and only 1 gram of sugar. No artificial colors, flavors, and other additives. It should serve you well if you are looking for an all-natural casein product.

Pros

  • High in protein
  • All-natural
  • High calcium levels
  • Only 1 gram of sugar

Cons

  • Contains soy
  • Does not taste particularly good
  • Contains soy lecithin

7 MUSCLE FEAST Grass-Fed Micellar Casein

MUSCLE FEAST Grass-Fed Micellar Casein
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The MUSCLE FEAST formula provides 18.2 to 19 grams of protein across all flavors. This is less than many casein protein powders, which have 20 to 30 grams of protein. It has 88 calories in total, which would have worked perfectly for me when I was on a keto diet. It comes in different flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and unflavored. It has a grittier taste, but I still loved it.

I mixed it with chocolate milk for the first time, but I’ve noticed that it tastes much better if I mix it with water and heavy cream. This tasted so good and I remained full for several hours after.

In every serving, you get 3.4 grams of BCAAs. BCAAs benefit the body greatly, supporting the immune system and reducing fatigue. It even reduces sores after exercising for long a long duration of time. While most people take it before bed, it is also as good pre-workout supplement and snack. It is also is a good choice for vegans and vegetarians, as it is a certified vegetarian product.

Pros

  • Gluten-free
  • Soy-free
  • Rich flavor
  • All-natural
  • Non-GMO

Cons

  • Less protein than other casein protein sources

8 Universal Nutrition Casein Pro

Universal Nutrition Casein Pro
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It has 117 calories, working well for individuals that are watching their caloric intake. Each scoop has 1 gm of fat, 3.5 grams of fat, and 24 grams of 100% micellar protein. It also contains gum, sucrose, and artificial flavors.

The micellar protein used is not mixed with inferior ingredients, allowing it to release amino acids in the bloodstream slower. As such, it will keep feeding for muscles for a longer time. This could be one of the best pre-workouts for men who are trying to bulk-up.

It comes in vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, and chocolate peanut butter banana. It tastes good, especially the chocolate peanut butter banana flavor. Mix it with 1-2 scoops with milk or another beverage that you like. If you want a deep flavor, use very little beverage when you are mixing it.

It is very thick as well. When I first used it as night, I woke up feeling full. This is a very different feeling from what I get when I use whey.

Since it is a multi-purpose product, you can use it pre-workout or before bed.

Pros

  • 100% micellar protein
  • Great taste
  • Mixes well
  • Does not contain impurities

Cons

  • Contains artificial flavors
  • Has gum and sucrose

9 MuscleTech NitroTech Casein Gold Protein

MuscleTech NitroTech Casein Gold Protein
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Its first ingredient is the micellar casein plus blend, not pure micellar. It is artificial flavored and sweetened, which means that it’s not an all-natural product, but it mixes well to form a tasty pudding.

One scoop contains 110 calories 24 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of sugar, and 0.5 grams of fat. It offers 61% of the needed daily calcium, which is a little bit higher than I usually see in casein powders, which are usually 50% to 60%. It seems to be the best pre-workout form men who are building muscle.

I love using it to make pudding, which only requires a bit of water and a good spoon to make. If you don’t like clumps, use a blender for a smoother mix. This caffeine-free pre-workout supplement balances hormones. I think this could be a good pre-workout supplement for women since affeine can increase estrogen levels. 6

It contains milk and soy ingredients. It also has artificial flavors and sweeteners. These ingredients might make it off-limits for you if you like to eat clean.

Pros

  • Has a smooth texture
  • Very tasty
  • Free of banned substances
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Contains soy and artificial ingredients
  • Micellar casein is not the first ingredient
  • Artificially sweetened

10 Native Fuel Micellar Casein

Native Fuel Micellar Casein
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This powder has 25 grams per scoop of protein, a decent amount if you are bulking up. The second ingredient after casein is peanuts. It also has peanuts, cocoa, natural flavors, sea salt. It also has some gums, sunflower lecithin to help with mixability.

It is naturally flavored and sweetened. The chocolate peanut butter flavor tastes earthy, not particularly sweet. You will get 6 grams of carbohydrates, which is high for a casein product.

There is no sugar whatsoever and an extra gram of fiber, perfect if you are looking for something clean. There are 0.5 grams of saturated fat. All come to 140 calories per scoop.

Unlike most casein proteins it has a high amount of calcium. So, it doubles as a calcium supplement, making it the best pre-workout supplement for women. It helps women meet their daily calcium requirements. 7

Nothing artificial in this one. There is also no soy, which most people will be happy to find.

Pros

  • High in calcium
  • Digests slowly
  • No gluten
  • Non- stimulant pre-workout casein
  • No soy
  • Tested for impurities and banned substances

Cons

  • High in carbohydrates
  • Contains other milk proteins and tree nuts
  • Expensive, in comparison with other big brands

Conclusion

I would recommend the Native Fuel Micellar Casein. It has an extraordinarily rich taste and no artificial ingredients. As a natural pre-workout casein, it meets all the set criteria for the best casein protein. Great taste, 20 to 30 grams of protein per serving, and no additional ingredients and sweeteners. It is also gluten-free, which makes it helpful for anyone with gluten allergies. It mixes well with water and other beverages.

It has 11 vital amino acids, which will prevent muscle catabolism when you haven’t eaten for a long time. It is free of banned substances, making it safe for athletes to use. This is my favorite casein.

References

  1. The 6 Best Protein Powders for Men. healthline.com
  2. Casein Protein Powder: What Is It? Do I Need It?. menshealth.com
  3. bodybuilding.com. bodybuilding.com
  4. healthline.com. bodybuilding.com
  5. 10 Supercharged Health Benefits of Eating a Gluten-Free Diet. glutenfreeliving.com
  6. 10 Health Benefits of Living Caffeine-Free. healthline.com
  7. Calcium Supplements: Should You Take Them?. healthline.com
Top 10 Casein Protein Powders - suppsadvisor.com
Alex Platt

Alex is a former Personal Trainer and the go-to guy when it comes to his blog - SuppsAdvisor.com. Every piece of content is thoroughly checked, rechecked, and then published by Alex!

He is very much into sports activities such as tennis, skiing, surfing and of course working out.

His motto: be active, healthy, and happy!

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