Protein Coffee Benefits: What Does the Science Say?​

Protein coffee benefits go way beyond combining two morning favorites. This trending beverage blends caffeine’s energizing effects with protein’s muscle-supporting properties. Many fitness enthusiasts and busy professionals have adopted this functional drink that has gained attention, and with good reason too.

The combination of coffee and protein can help launch your day with sustained energy, especially when you need that morning caffeine boost without missing out on nutrition. People with increased protein needs, such as athletes or those following plant-based diets, find adding protein powder to coffee particularly beneficial. On top of that, regular coffee consumption has been linked to reduced risk of several conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and type 2 diabetes.

In this piece, we’ll learn about what science really says about “proffee” (protein coffee) by perusing its legitimate benefits, potential risks, and how to prepare it properly to get optimal results.

What is protein coffee and why is it trending?

“Proffee” – a catchy nickname for protein coffee – is a simple mix of brewed coffee and protein powder or a ready-made protein shake. This clever combo gives you both caffeine’s energy kick and protein’s benefits in one cup. The drink took off when people wanted their morning coffee to work harder for their nutrition goals. There is a wide variety of Proffee options, as shown below:

How proffee became popular on social media

TikTok turned proffee into a viral sensation in 2021. The hashtag #proffee has got over 28 million views, as users share their creative recipes and mesmerizing videos of protein mixing into coffee. This online buzz quickly jumped to real-life popularity. Major coffee chains jumped on board. Starbucks added Protein Cold Foam and Protein Lattes that pack 15 to 36 grams of protein in each 16-ounce drink. Peet’s Coffee launched their Vitality Menu that features protein-rich lattes made with Bob’s Red Mill Whey Protein Powder.

Simple ingredients: coffee and protein powder

You only need two things to make proffee: brewed coffee (hot or iced) and protein. Hot drinks can make protein powder clump up, but fans have figured out ways around this. Your protein options include:

• Whey protein (most common)
• Plant-based proteins (pea, hemp)
• Collagen peptides
• Ready-to-drink protein shakes

Many people add vanilla, cinnamon, or cocoa to their proffee. These extras help mask protein supplements’ sometimes chalky taste.

Who is drinking it and why

Gen Z and Millennial consumers lead this trend’s growth. Research shows that 70% of Americans try to include protein in their diet, and 80% make it a priority. Three main groups love proffee:

1. Fitness enthusiasts who want post-workout recovery
2. Busy professionals looking for a nutritious breakfast alternative
3. Health-conscious people who need to control hunger and keep their energy up all morning

Regular espresso drinks still rule the coffee market. Proffee keeps growing in popularity all the same, as more people look for drinks that do more than just wake them up.

Science-backed benefits of protein coffee

Science shows that mixing protein with caffeine does more than create a trendy drink. This combination offers real health benefits backed by research. Protein coffee can boost physical performance and improve how your brain works.

Boosts energy and alertness

Coffee naturally makes you more alert by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, which helps you stay awake longer. The protein-caffeine mix creates a more balanced effect. Caffeine sharpens your mental focus, speeds up reaction time, and improves overall brain performance. The protein provides amino acids that help produce neurotransmitters – crucial elements that affect your mood and mental clarity. This combination gives you steady focus without the jitters you might get from regular coffee.

Supports muscle repair and maintenance

Protein coffee works great as a recovery drink if you’re active. Your body needs 20-30 grams of protein after exercise to repair and build lean muscle tissue. Caffeine helps you perform better during workouts and reduces muscle soreness afterward. This makes it perfect if you exercise regularly since it gives your body what it needs after a workout.

Helps control hunger and cravings

Protein affects your hunger hormones – ghrelin that makes you hungry and GLP-1 that makes you feel full. Research shows that 25-30g of protein with your first meal can reduce hunger hormone levels for 3-4 hours. Starting your day with protein coffee gives you lasting energy and stops those mid-morning cravings.

May aid in weight management

Protein and caffeine work together perfectly to help manage your weight. Caffeine raises your metabolic rate by 3-11%, so you burn more calories even at rest. Your body uses more energy to digest protein compared to carbs or fats. Adding protein powder to coffee can help you cut down on sugar and calories from creamers.

Slows caffeine absorption for steady energy

Regular coffee might give you energy spikes and crashes, but protein coffee provides steady energy throughout the day. Protein slows down how fast your stomach empties, which helps control caffeine absorption and keeps blood sugar stable. You won’t get that mid-morning energy crash that makes you reach for another cup.

Is protein coffee healthy for everyone?

Protein coffee isn’t right for everyone. You should be careful if you have kidney disease because protein puts extra strain on your kidneys as they filter waste from blood. People with prediabetes or diabetes need to check labels carefully since many protein powders contain added sugars or artificial ingredients. The FDA lets manufacturers evaluate their protein supplements’ safety, so there’s no guarantee a product contains what they claim.

Choosing between whey and plant-based protein

Whey protein gives you complete amino acids and builds muscle effectively but might cause digestive problems if you’re sensitive to dairy. Plant-based options like pea and hemp protein work great for vegans and people with lactose intolerance. Collagen protein mixes most easily in coffee and helps with skin, joint, and hair health.

Flavor add-ins: cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla

You can improve your protein coffee with tasty add-ins that work well with the protein powder. Cinnamon adds warmth without calories, vanilla extract creates a latte-like taste, and cocoa powder turns your drink into a mocha. Many protein powders come pre-sweetened, so taste your drink before adding more sweeteners.

Conclusion

Protein coffee has become much more than just a social-first trend. This powerful combo gives you lasting energy and nutritional perks that fitness buffs and busy professionals can’t stop raving about. Proffee helps sharpen your mental focus and supports muscle repair at the same time. On top of that, it helps control hunger pangs and might even help with weight management goals..

Protein coffee ended up being a smart choice for anyone who wants nutrition and energy in one cup. It might just become everything in your morning routine, especially when you need lasting energy without compromising your nutrition goals. Before you jump on the proffee bandwagon though, take time to think about your health needs and protein requirements to see if this functional drink fits your lifestyle.

Related posts:

13 Best Coffee Beans For French Press [2025 Review] 20 Types of Coffee – The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Drink Names [2025 Update] 10 Best Coffee Mugs You Need to Get [2025 Review]