High protein drinks are one of the tricks that both professional and amateur bodybuilders have been using for years to get the best results from their exercise.

Essentially, they provide the body with a concentrated supplement of the essential building blocks for muscle; protein is what the body uses for growth and cell repair and protein drinks are almost entirely made from powdered protein.

However protein isn't just one universal material. There are different types of protein that the body makes use of in different way. These include:

Whey Protein: This is the most commonly used type of protein as it's absorbed by the body very quickly and easily. Whey protein contains high levels of all of the essential amino-acids needed by the body for growth and repair and also has the highest concentration of the cysteine amino-acid. In the body, this is synthesized with glucose to create glutathione, which helps boost the immune system and overcome fatigue. Whey protein is a dairy protein that is separated from milk during the production of cheese.

Casein Protein: Casein protein is the richest in Glutamine, an amino acid which aids in recovery exercise. Another protein derived from milk, one useful property of this type is that it contains a type of casomorphin - a protein fragment or peptide that originates in cow's milk - that helps the body to absorb amino acids over a long time.

Soy Protein: One of the only protein supplements suitable for Vegans, this type is derived from Soybeans. It contains all essential amino acids, though generally less than Whey. It is extracted from soybeans and is easily digestible by the body. However Soy is rated as the second most allergenic food to humans (next to peanuts) so there is a small chance that you could be allergic to it. However as the most allergenic food, peanuts, only affects 0.4-0.6% of the population, this is only a small chance.

Egg White Protein: is exactly what it sounds like. Though this is comparatively lower in beneficial amino acids, it is a lactose and dairy free protein so may be more suitable for people with certain intolerance.

Although there are different types of protein drinks, the intended effect is exactly the same, as is the proper way to use them. No matter the type the best way to use this kind of body building supplement is to consume it either immediately before or after exercising, or your body won't make efficient use of the extra material.