What is the Difference Between Whey Protein and Whey Isolate
‘When your body is hungry, it needs nutrition and not junk.’
Did you know that milk is made of two different proteins? The two proteins are whey and casein. Whey protein can easily be segregated from casein. There are more facts you should be aware of, but for that, you need to read the whole article.
Whey proteins are fast-digesting compared to casein, which is the slow-digesting protein found in milk. Whey protein is available in two forms Whey Protein concentrate and Whey Isolate.
There is a common debate over using whey protein concentrate or isolate. Both of them have similar effects on the body but, they have a slight difference in protein content. You can have a clear idea about the difference between the two to make an informed choice.
Here’s an article that sheds light on whey protein vs isolate.
Whey Protein versus Whey Isolate
A stark difference between the two is the way they are processed. The liquid whey has up to 80% proteins and 20% carbohydrates. They are not heated but filtered, as heating will destroy amino acids in the product. Whey proteins are available as powders, flavored shakes, etc., on the market. Check out BarBend’s rundown of the best whey proteins (Isolate & Concentrate) as you start your search for what’s right for you.
When you concentrate the whey protein using processing methods to 90% proteins, we get whey isolate. The process is called Cross-Flow Micro-Filtration. It results in a product having much less carbohydrate and fat content. Since it has low carbohydrate content, it is easily absorbable by the body.
Whey isolate also has much less lactose content and is more suitable for lactose-intolerant people. They are more expensive than whey protein concentrate because of the complex processing methods involved.
Whey concentrate is more popular as it is economical and is almost identical to whey isolate.
Similarities Between the Two
Both have almost similar protein, carbohydrate and lactose content. The slight variation between whey protein and isolate is due to the processing method. Both have similar effects on muscle mass development growth. They can help in muscle repair and reduce the recovery time. Even though lactose content is low for whey isolate, both have similar amounts and do not have a perceived difference when lactose intolerant people use them.
Which one should you use?
If you are looking for weight-loss, and want to focus on calorie control can go for whey isolate. Whey isolate has low carbohydrate and fat content and is more suitable for weight-loss purposes. For those taking protein supplements for muscle strength and development, whey proteins will do. Since there is a significant price difference between the two, it is better to go for whey isolate if you have to take it for a specific purpose.
Choose Wisely
When you choose a whey protein powder or an isolate, you should look for something that has minimal sweeteners and additives. There are some manufacturers who add lots of artificial flavor and sweeteners. These do not have any nutritional value. In fact, they may cause hindrance to your diet.
Yes, you can add some flavors to the shakes and smoothies. But, for that, you need to add leafy greens and natural berries. You can also search for powders that are safe to consume.
Summing Up
Whey proteins are a great source of protein supplements. It means you should not take them as an alternative to the natural protein. They should be complementing your protein intake through food. Always take the right amount of protein powder as per your weight. Excessive use of protein powder and using it without having an active lifestyle is extremely harmful to your body. However, if you are a gym person, whey protein can help you more than harm you.
