You can simply put casein and water in a shaker bottle and mix it that way, or in a blender with some ice. Most people who supplement with casein are taking it before bed. The research and debate on A1 and A2 beta-casein continues, but for now this is probably not something you need to worry about. Most cow’s milk contains a mixture of A1 and A2 beta-casein, whereas the milk of certain breeds contains only A2 beta-casein. As discussed above, it may even have some impressive long-term benefits for your health. Always consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified nutritionist to determine the safety and appropriateness of long-term protein powder use for your individual circumstances. Additionally, protein powder can be a convenient and efficient way to add protein to your diet, particularly for individuals with busy schedules or limited access to protein-rich foods. It can help you meet your daily protein needs, supporting muscle growth and repair, especially after exercise. However, the effectiveness of these supplements in increasing testosterone levels is not fully established, and their potential benefits may vary. It’s essential to stick to recommended daily protein intake guidelines and avoid exceeding them. Remember, choosing the best protein powders with testosterone doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive one. If you only consume a low or moderate amount of protein, it may help you boost muscle growth simply by increasing your protein intake (12). Like other animal proteins, it contains all the essential amino acids that your own body is unable to produce naturally. It is a slow-digesting protein that contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. It releases amino acids slowly, so people often take it before bed to help with recovery and reduce muscle breakdown while they sleep. Future work should examine the effects of casein supplementation (i.e., nighttime versus morning) in subjects who partake in a more rigorous and different exercise-training program. Similarly, Snijders et al. discovered that consuming a protein-containing supplement (27.5 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate, 0.1 g fat) prior to sleep increased skeletal muscle cross-sectional area as well as muscular strength(16). To optimize your sleep even further, read our guide on casein and caffeine interaction—you’ll learn how to prevent caffeine from interfering with your nighttime recovery window. Over time, my body composition improved, and I noticed better focus throughout the day. By keeping your amino acid pool full overnight, casein supports these processes naturally. Participants experienced deeper sleep and better overall recovery, linking casein directly to hormonal restoration during rest. A 2024 clinical trial on hydrolyzed casein peptides demonstrated that casein peptides activate the tryptophan–melatonin pathway, improving sleep quality and duration in humans. The lack of definition around the term ‘high-protein diet’, and the absence of context whilst discussing the findings, has led to confusion around the issue of protein intake and testosterone. Both the small observational studies and Toma (2009) included participants with a wide range of protein intakes, owning to an athletic population in the former, and a dietary intervention in the latter. The interest surrounding this finding also provides an opportunity for a more detailed discussion on the effects of protein intake on testosterone, particularly as this has been somewhat neglected by the literature. Research shows that consuming casein protein before bed balances your body’s protein level throughout the night. As a slow-release protein, casein provides your cells with the amino acids they need over a long period.