I was looking for information on how protein gets digested. I found an interesting article on wikipedia, and it states this:

"The enzymes responsible for protein digestion require an acidic environment to function, while the enzymes that digest sugars and starches require an alkaline pH. A single meal that combines a high-protein food with carbohydrates (ex. meat and potatoes) may create a stomach pH that is neither optimal for protein or carbohydrate digestion, and fermentation of the stomach contents will result in digestive problems like bloating and heartburn."

I've never heard of this before. All of my meals combine protein and carbs, and I generally don't have indigestion.

Now, here's what I'm interested in. Say I just worked out and I want to consume protein and carbohydrates to initiate protein synthesis and muscle growth after the workout. Would drinking a protein shake high in carbs be counterproductive if carbs and proteins are digested in different pH conditions? Would it be more productive to consume the protein first, and then the carbs later or the other way around? Or am I just confusing myself with minor details?

Whenever theres food the stomach and even before, it secretes acid, activating pepsin which activates a whole cascade of other enzymes. The sugars are digested in the intestines anyway. I wouldnt really take much notice of it unless you find journal articles that have a more specific and reliable source of information.

Thanks,

Yeah, it seems like it wasn't that big of a deal anyway. I figure, as long as one consumes enough carbohydrates and protein they'll probably be okay.

absolutely

yeah, wikipedia isn't really that good for info like that Also, stuff like that would be nitpicking.. one could go on forever about how you should eat that and that together, take different suppliments with different foods because they compliment eacother.. etc. fact is, stuff like that will stand for 0.01% of your gains, you won't even notice it. The key is focusing on the big stuff. "80% of your results comes from 20% of your efforts"