What Happens When You Add Protein Powder to Your Coffee?

Many coffee trends have appeared on TikTok and Instagram, including “proffee,” or protein coffee.

Coffee and milk are a classic combo, so the idea of adding some protein to your morning cup of joe isn’t entirely new.

But what happens when you dial it up a notch and add a scoop of protein powder to your coffee? Read on to learn more about what “proffee” can do for your health.

One of the main benefits of proffee is that it can help you meet your protein needs. Protein’s primary job is to supply amino acids (the building blocks of protein) for the ongoing maintenance, repair, and healing of tissues in the body. These include bones, muscles, and skin.

An optimal protein intake would be 0.25 to 0.40 grams (g) per kilogram (kg), or 2.2 pounds, of body weight about four or five times per day. That’s a target of 17–27 g of total protein at breakfast for a 150-pound (68 kg) person.

Consuming protein after exercising helps repair and strengthen your muscles. Your protein needs are more significant if you work out since exercise puts wear and tear on the body. An optimal daily protein intake for most active people is 1.2–2 g per kg of body weight. One kg equals about 2.2 pounds.

The low end is appropriate for people who do a lot of cardio exercises. The high end is reserved for those engaged in strength programs or strenuous workouts. These workouts stress muscles more than other workouts. More stress requires more healing and, therefore, more protein.

Research has shown that caffeine, the natural stimulant in coffee, may also improve workouts. Caffeine may enhance muscle contractions and prevent fatigue.

Proffee might aid in weight loss. Protein helps you feel full for long periods, which reduces hunger and can lower your calorie intake. Research has found that caffeine can also satisfy your appetite by reducing levels of hunger hormones.

Your body also burns more calories when it breaks down protein than fats and carbohydrates. This can slightly boost your metabolism.

It’s important to keep a few things in mind about the role of protein and how much you should be getting each day. 

You would ideally balance that protein with the other two macronutrients your body needs: fats and carbohydrates. Consuming protein without enough of these nutrients causes your body to burn the protein for fuel instead of using it to repair and grow your muscles.

Also, your body best utilizes protein when you evenly distribute consuming the macronutrient throughout the day, so consider all your sources of protein and when you’re consuming them. If you’re having a protein coffee with breakfast, for example, you may not need to pair it with eggs, Greek yogurt, and a protein shake.

More protein isn’t necessarily healthy, so meeting—but not exceeding—your protein needs is the goal. Pair proffee with healthful sources of fat and carbohydrates, like half an avocado and fresh fruit, if it alone meets your protein target. You can round out your meal with a bit more protein if you make your proffee with less protein, such as collagen powder or pea milk.

There’s no standard recipe for proffee, so exactly how you make it is up to you.

Some people mix coffee with pre-made protein shakes that pack up to 30 g per single-serve container. Others blend their coffee with a few scoops of plant protein powder, infusing their coffee with about 20–25 g of protein.

Depending on the brand, adding two scoops of collagen to your brew provides about 10 g of protein. Another option is to add milk or high-protein plant milk, such as pea milk, which offers 12 g of protein per 12 ounces (oz). Collagen has no flavor or aroma, and unsweetened, unflavored pea milk is also pretty neutral. Both will add a rich texture to your coffee, similar to creamer.

Look beyond the grams of protein in any product if you decide to give your morning mug a protein boost. Read the ingredient lists to scope out unwanted additives, including artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, preservatives, or too much added sugar. 

Opt for high-protein, plant-based milk to get your protein from plants. You can also enjoy a proffee smoothie made by blending brewed coffee with frozen fruit, plant protein powder, nut butter, and spices like cinnamon or ginger. This combination is a balanced way to enjoy coffee, meet your protein needs, and benefit from nutrient- and antioxidant-rich plant foods. A high intake of plant protein, compared to animal protein, may help lower the risk of heart disease and death from all causes.

Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) minimally regulates supplements, including protein powder. The effects of protein powder vary and depend on several factors, such as dosage and frequency of use. Talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before using protein powder.