Whey protein is the favorite protein supplement of bodybuilders and fitness freaks all over the world. This highly digestible protein is used for building muscles and improving muscle recovery rate. If you are an avid gym-goer who is up to building a sturdy physique, you might have heard about whey protein supplements.
While a lot of people know about whey protein, the question is, how many of them truly understand this wonder protein supplement? Do you think you know your protein completely? Whether your answer is yes or no, we’re going to take you back to the school to develop an insight on whey protein.
What is whey?
Whey is obtained from milk. Milk consists of 2 proteins- casein and whey. If you look at the composition of milk, it is 88% water, 4% fats, 3% protein, and 5% carbohydrates. Whey protein is the result of the cheese-making process, i.e. when the curd is separated from milk, the byproduct is whey. The addition of a coagulant to the milk, mostly renin, separates the curds (casein) and whey.
You must have observed a thin layer of liquid on the top of the curd, that is whey. The creamy portion of the curd is rich in casein. Whey digests faster when compared to other proteins including casein. It is also rich in all essential amino acids that your body is not capable of producing on its own. It is also rich in BCAAs- leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
Whey protein, when combined with resistance training and a balanced diet, supports muscle building. Whey is processed using various techniques to be obtained in various forms. Let’s learn about them.
Types of Whey Protein
- Whey protein concentrate: The amount of protein that whey concentrate contains can range from 25% to 85%. Most whey protein powders that you find at physical or online stores contain whey protein concentrate. It contains mostly up to 80% protein. The rest is lactose, fats, minerals, and water. This variant of whey protein is the cheapest one and supports muscle building. It is generally micro-filtered and not heated so that there is no adverse impact on its amino acid profile. It has a smooth texture.
- Whey protein isolate: It is the purest form of whey protein. Any whey protein powder made up of whey isolate has high protein content. The protein quantity in whey protein isolate can range from 85% to 95%. It has lower lactose content and is thus ideal for lactose intolerant individuals. WPIs also have a low-fat profile. It is expensive as compared to the concentrate because of the high protein content and the processing it goes through.
- Whey hydrolyzed: Hydrolyzed whey protein is the most expensive form of whey protein. This version has the long protein chains broken down into smaller chains which are known as peptides. This makes this protein more absorbable. It also reduces the chances of having any allergic reactions. This variant of whey protein is usually used in infant formulas and sports and medical products focussing on nutrition.
Whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate are the most popular whey protein supplements used commonly by various bodybuilders, fitness enthusiasts, and athletes.
One common question that is often asked is how whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate differ? Let us answer this question for you.
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The difference between whey isolate and whey concentrate
WPI & WPC have a lot of nutritional differences between them. This is because of the distinct processing methods they undergo. The original whey is in liquid form which is further processed to be obtained in a powdered form that is sold in the market as whey protein supplements.
The table below explains very well the difference between these 2 forms of whey:
Whey protein isolate is also ideal for people who want to keep a check on their calorie intake as it has a low carb and fat content.
There are a lot of brands selling whey protein powders. You can pick one according to your goals. The best whey protein powder price in India depends on the brand and type of protein supplement. You need to choose the one that fits your needs, your lifestyle and your budget. Whey protein powder is an excellent source of quality protein that can help bodybuilders build sturdy muscles.
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