Whey Concentrate Vs. Isolate Protein

Whey protein is by far the most popular and widely used supplement in the health and fitness game. Every man and his dog have seen the gigantic containers lining supplement store shelves and windows, but what is it really?

To sum it up, whey protein is a complete protein that is separated out during the cheese-making process, which contains all nine essential amino acids the body needs to build and repair muscle tissue. The perfect supplement for increasing your daily protein intake, whilst keeping your total caloric intake low. However, not all whey protein is made the same.

In this blog, we'll compare and contrast the two most popular forms of whey: Whey concentrate and whey isolate.

Whey concentrate is the most common form of whey protein and is the least processed of the two forms. It's made by filtering whey through a membrane to remove some of the fat and lactose, but it still contains some lactose, fat, and other impurities. Whey concentrate typically contains around 70-80% protein by weight, depending on the brand and quality.

Whey isolate, on the other hand, is a more refined form of whey protein. It undergoes additional processing to remove almost all of the lactose, fat, and other impurities, resulting in a protein powder that is over 90% protein by weight. This means that whey isolate is typically lower in calories, carbohydrates, and fat than whey concentrate. Also, lower in lactose, which is especially important for those who are intolerant. 

What’s the difference?

Firstly, whey isolate is generally considered to be a purer form of protein, with a higher protein content per serving than whey concentrate. This can be beneficial for those looking to increase their protein intake without adding extra calories from fats and carbohydrates.

However, whey concentrate can also be a good option for those looking for a more balanced macronutrient profile, as it contains small amounts of healthy fats and carbohydrates that can help to provide energy during exercise.

Another important difference between whey concentrate and whey isolate is their digestion rate. Whey isolate is typically digested more quickly than whey concentrate, which can make it a good option for post-workout recovery when fast-absorbing protein is needed to help repair and rebuild muscle tissue.

However, whey concentrate is digested more slowly than whey isolate, which can make it a better option for meal replacement or as a snack between meals, as it can help to keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer.

In terms of cost, whey concentrate is generally less expensive than whey isolate due to its lower protein content and less intensive processing.

So, which form of whey protein is right for you?

Ultimately, it depends on your individual goals and needs. If you're looking for a purer form of protein with higher protein content, whey isolate may be the better option. However, if you're looking for a more balanced macronutrient profile or a slower-digesting protein, whey concentrate may be a better choice.

Regardless of which form you choose, both whey concentrate and whey isolate can be effective supplements for increasing protein intake and supporting muscle growth and recovery.

If you are still unsure which would be most suitable for your goals, visit one of our stores at 574 Colombo Street or 47 Riccarton Road to get some advice from one of our helpful staff.