Mass gainer is one of the most popular supplements out there that you can buy.
You might already know that mass gainer can help you to gain weight fast, as well as increase muscle mass overall.
But is mass gainer bad for you? And do you need to take mass gainer?
To find and understand the answer, it is important to know what exactly is mass gainer, what does mass gainer do, and the pros and cons of mass gainer supplements.
By the end of this short and simple guide, you will find out everything you need to know about mass gainer!
What Is Mass Gainer?
Mass gainer is a powder supplement used to support weight gain and muscle growth. Among weight lifters and bodybuilders, this is known as bulking.
But mass gainer is not just used by weight lifters and bodybuilders. It is also taken by people who simply want to gain weight, usually because they find it hard to gain weight due to a high metabolism.
Mass gainer mainly consists of protein and carbs with a high calorie count. From one serving of a typical mass gainer, you can expect to get up to 50 grams of protein, around 250 grams of carbohydrates, and between 1000 and 1500 calories.
As a powder, it is diluted with water and/or milk and consumed as a drink/shake.
Mass gainer is available in a variety of flavors, is widely available online and in stores, and mostly affordable for what you get.
Mass Gainer Benefits
Mass gainers are effective for quickly putting on mass and gaining weight. For weight lifters, bodybuilders, hard gainers, and anyone with a fast metabolism, this is obviously an advantage.
As a drink or shake, it is highly convenient, making it easier to consume a large number of calories in one go. Most mass gainers often contain over 1000 calories, which is faster and easier to drink than eat.
A lot of mass gainers also include other beneficial ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. In addition, there are many different flavored mass gainers, as well as vegan mass gainers.
Mass Gainer Benefits Summarized:
- effective for quickly gaining muscle mass and weight
- can support muscle repair and recovery
- widely considered to be safe to use
- can contain other vitamins and minerals, including healthy fats
- lots of flavors
- convenient and easy to use
- widely available
Mass Gainer Side Effects
Like any supplement, there are potential side effects involved.
Mass gainer is no different, but the side effects – when taken in its recommended amount – are widely considered to be rare and not that harmful.
Mass gainer side effects may include:
- digestive problems
- flatulence
- bloating
- stomach cramps, possible diarrhea
- kidney damage or liver problems
- heart complications (due to weight gain)
- loss of appetite (due to mass gainer calorie content)
So, Is Mass Gainer Bad For You?
The big question: is mass gainer bad for you?
Ultimately, no, mass gainer is not bad for you – unless you do not want to gain weight.
The purpose of taking mass gainer is to gain mass as quickly as possible. Mass gainer is loaded with protein, carbohydrates, and calories, which means that you will gain mass in general – both muscle and body fat.
In addition, the side effects of mass gainer are considered rare and not serious, more possible if mass gainer is taken in excessive amounts.
As a general rule, mass gainer is not to be used as meal replacement, or a substitute for healthy, well-balanced meals.
So, as long as you do not take mass gainer excessively or use it to replace meals, mass gainer is not bad for you.
When Should I Use Mass Gainer?
You can use mass gainer to help you gain weight and put on more mass. Ultimately, it’s there to use if you want to increase your protein, carb, and calorie intake.
If you are a bodybuilder, weight lifter, hard gainer (someone who lifts but finds it hard to gain muscle), or someone who finds it hard to put on weight in general, mass gainer is a supplement to consider taking.
A typical serving (one powder scoop) of a good mass gainer includes around 50 grams of protein and 250 grams of carbohydrates, with an overall calorie content of between 1000 and 1500 calories.
Mass gainer can be supplemented once a day or twice a day, as long as it is not used to replace meals.
Due to its versatility, there is nothing stopping you from taking mass gainer in the morning, during meals, post-workout, or before bed.
What Is Better: Whey Protein Or Mass Gainer?
Should you take whey protein or mass gainer?
Firstly, whey protein is another popular dietary supplement used to increase protein intake. As a result, the focus is to increase muscle mass.
Mass gainer, on the other hand, is to increase mass in general: both muscle size and body fat. Mass gainer can simply be viewed as whey protein, but with added carbs and calories.
So, if your goal is to increase muscle size, and keep carbs and calories low, whey protein is more ideal.
If you just want to increase mass in general (muscle and fat) and gain weight through more calories, mass gainer is the better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mass Gainer Dirty Bulk?
Dirty bulking is consuming any amount of high-calorie food to gain mass (muscle and body fat), including junk food, fast food, high-sugar food, desserts, and sodas, etc. – hence the term “dirty bulking”.
Mass gainer is not considered to be dirty bulking. This is because mass gainer contains protein, carbohydrates, and calories for weight gain, which are generally not considered to be unhealthy.
Is Mass Gainer Harmful?
Mass gainer is not considered harmful when consumed in a safe, recommended amount. Side effects are typically rare, but may include bloating, flatulence, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and digestive problems.
Mass gainer is not harmful if supplemented in a non-excessive way. Mass gainer should not be used as a direct replacement or substitute for healthy, well-balanced meals.
Can Mass Gainer Increase Height?
The average age that physical growth stops in humans is between 18 and 21 – 18 for women and 21 for men. Due to this, mass gainer will not help to increase height beyond these ages.
In general, good nutrition and sleep will contribute to growth. As a result, mass gainer may contribute to a growth in height for men and women below the age of 21 and 18, respectively.
Final Verdict
The final verdict? The answer is no – mass gainer is not bad for you in its recommended amount, unless you do not want to gain weight.
And that’s it!
Mass gainer has no real side effects unless it is taken in an excessive amount. Mass gainer should only be taken to gain weight and muscle mass, but never used as a supplement for meal replacement.
As long as it is supplemented in this way, mass gainer does not have any negative side effects.
There are some possible side effects to mass gainer – such as cramps, digestive problems, flatulence, and bloating – but these side effects are uncommon and not considered to be of serious harm.
