Our ReviewIt's Just!Micellar Casein
It's Just Micellar Casein is a straightforward protein powder that focuses on providing a clean, single-ingredient option for those seeking a slow-digesting protein source. With micellar casein as its sole ingredient, this product is specifically designed for prolonged protein absorption, making it a solid choice for nighttime use or between meals to support muscle repair. Each serving delivers 28 grams of protein, with minimal fat (2g) and carbohydrates (1g), ensuring that you're getting a high protein-to-calorie ratio. This unflavored formula offers flexibility in how you incorporate it into your daily nutrition, whether it's mixed into smoothies or used in recipes to boost protein content without altering taste.
Ingredients
The ingredients list for "It's Just Micellar Casein" is about as simple as it gets: micellar casein and nothing else. This kind of simplicity can be appreciated by those who prefer clean, straightforward products without unnecessary fillers or additives. Micellar casein is known for being a slow-digesting protein that provides a steady release of amino acids, making it a popular choice for nighttime consumption or for extended periods without food. In this case, the absence of additional ingredients like sweeteners, preservatives, or artificial flavors makes it particularly appealing to those who want to avoid anything synthetic.
Micellar casein itself is a high-quality protein source derived from milk, making up the majority of the protein content in cow's milk. Unlike whey, which digests quickly, micellar casein is known for its slow digestion rate, which can provide a more sustained release of nutrients to muscles over time. This can be beneficial for muscle recovery, especially during long periods when food intake is not possible, such as overnight. It’s ideal for those looking to preserve muscle mass or those who want to feel fuller for longer periods between meals.
For some users, however, this simplicity might also be seen as a drawback, as it lacks added enzymes, or other beneficial extras that could aid in digestion or enhance nutrient absorption. For a casein powder, digestive enzymes could be a particularly useful addition, as casein is known to sit heavier in the stomach for some people. The addition of digestive aids like lactase, for instance, might improve overall tolerability for those who are sensitive to dairy proteins.
While the simplicity of the ingredients is a big plus for purists, the absence of added nutrients and flavors might leave those seeking a more comprehensive supplement looking elsewhere.
Effectiveness
When evaluating the effectiveness of It's Just Micellar Casein, it’s clear that this product is specifically designed for those seeking a slow-digesting protein source in its pure form. The key feature of micellar casein is its ability to provide a prolonged release of amino acids, which is particularly beneficial for muscle recovery during extended periods without food intake, such as overnight. This slow digestion rate makes it ideal for preserving muscle mass and ensuring that the body has a steady stream of protein throughout the night.
With 28 grams of protein per serving, It's Just Micellar Casein delivers a substantial amount of protein that aligns with its marketed purpose: promoting muscle recovery and preventing muscle breakdown. The protein source is high-quality micellar casein, which is considered a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. This ensures that the product supports muscle protein synthesis effectively. Micellar casein, in particular, is known for its high leucine content, an amino acid critical for muscle recovery and growth. While fast-digesting proteins like whey are preferred immediately post-workout, casein’s slow digestion rate makes it better suited for sustained recovery, making it a perfect choice for pre-bed consumption.
The product's nutritional profile complements its effectiveness. With just 1 gram of carbohydrates and 2 grams of fat, it remains low in calories (120 per serving) while offering a significant amount of protein. This makes it a suitable option for those who are on a low-carb or low-fat diet but still want a high-protein intake. The low-carb content, in particular, makes it appealing for those focused on minimizing carbohydrate intake, such as those following ketogenic or low-carb diets.
Additionally, the 52% daily value of calcium per serving stands out as a notable benefit. Casein is naturally rich in calcium, and this product capitalizes on that, which may contribute to bone health, an often overlooked benefit of consuming casein-based proteins.
What this product lacks, however, is the inclusion of digestive enzymes, which could enhance its overall effectiveness. Casein, by nature, can be harder to digest for some individuals, and the addition of enzymes like lactase or protease could help ease digestion and absorption. Nonetheless, for those who have no issues with dairy digestion, micellar casein does its job exceptionally well in providing sustained protein release.
Taste
When it comes to It's Just Micellar Casein in its unflavored form, the experience is all about simplicity and function, not indulgence. Since the product is unflavored, it doesn’t carry any of the sweetness or artificial taste that you’d find in flavored protein powders, which can be both a pro and a con, depending on how you like to use your protein supplements.
When I mixed with water or milk, this product remains a very neutral experience. There's no distinct flavor at all, which can be refreshing if you're looking to avoid any overpowering tastes or artificial sweeteners. This provides you with the versatility to be able to mix up your own flavor concoctions. You can easily mix it into smoothies, oatmeal, or other recipes without worrying about the powder clashing with the other flavors.
The texture, however, is where we found some challenges. Like most micellar casein proteins, it has a thicker consistency compared to whey, and this can be both a good and bad thing. When mixed with water, the powder tends to clump slightly and requires some vigorous shaking or blending to smooth it out. Even then, there can be a bit of grittiness that remains, especially if you don’t let it sit for a few minutes after mixing. That’s not unusual for casein proteins, but it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer a smooth shake. However, when mixed with milk the experience changes quite a bit with a more creamy experience with a substantially smoother texture. In our opinion, if you’re using this product as a nighttime protein or meal replacement, milk is the better option in terms of texture and overall satisfaction.
Value
When it comes to value, It's Just Micellar Casein offers an outstanding proposition. Despite not being the absolute cheapest casein protein available, it stands out as the best value based on its high protein content relative to its price. You’re getting 28 grams of pure micellar casein per serving, which is one of the most cost-effective options we've come across when analyzing protein content specifically.
What you're paying for is a clean, unadulterated source of micellar casein without the usual added costs of flavors, emulsifiers, or other supplements, making it perfect for users looking to maximize protein intake without the extras.
However, this simplicity comes with some trade-offs. The lack of included flavors or emulsifiers means it may not be as convenient as other options, especially for those who prefer a ready-to-drink experience with smoother mixability. It requires some customization, whether adding it to smoothies or using a blender for a better texture. But for those who appreciate a flexible, versatile protein source, this simplicity works in its favor.
Ultimately, It's Just Micellar Casein offers tremendous value for budget-conscious users seeking pure protein, making it one of the best options for those who prioritize protein content over convenience.
Conclusion
It's Just Micellar Casein stands out as a cost-effective choice for those who want pure, slow-digesting protein without any unnecessary additives. Its simple, single-ingredient profile makes it versatile, perfect for blending into smoothies or recipes, although it may not suit users seeking a flavored, grab-and-go option. Compared to more premium products with additional features like flavors or digestive aids, this protein powder provides excellent value, especially for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize protein content over extras.
The lack of convenience factors, such as easy mixability or pre-added flavors, might be a drawback for some, but for those focused on clean, affordable protein supplementation, this product hits the mark. It’s ideal for users who are willing to invest a bit of effort into mixing and customizing their shakes for a more affordable protein option. Overall, if you're looking for high protein content at a great price, It's Just Micellar Casein is a solid recommendation.
Where to buy?
The protein matrix includes the primary protein components included in this product. These protein sources are listed in order of volume from greatest to least in the product.
This diagram provides the digestion profile for the protein types contained within this product. The chart plots the digestion of the included protein types over an hourly timeframe. All profiles have their advantages depending on your goals. More information regarding digestion and timing can be found in our guides.
The cost indicators provide a relative cost comparison with all protein products. The lower the score the better!
The "Product Cost Indicator" provides the comparative product cost, as a whole.
The "Protein Cost Indicator" provides a comparative cost based on only the protein component. While this can be useful for comparing products excluding fillers, many additional ingredients can provide additional benefits and value.
Note: Products that serve a dual purpose, such as mass gainers and ketogenic powders don't include the "Protein Cost Indicator".
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