A normal by-product in cheesemaking, whey is the liquid that is left when the solids in milk come together and are pressed into solid form. Filtering and purifying this liquid produces whey protein. Removing the water produces a powder that, while high in quality protein, is free of fat and lactose, or milk sugar. Compared to soy protein, whey is a complete protein, while soy is not. Whey has a faster absorption rate than soy protein, and the taste is preferred over soy.
Composition
Cow's milk has two proteins, casein and whey. Whey has a higher nutritional value than casein. Whole milk consists of approximately 87 percent water and 13 percent solids. The composition of milk solids consists of 30 percent fat, 37 percent lactose, 27 percent protein and 6 percent minerals. The composition of milk protein consists of 80 percent casein and 20 percent whey.
Whey Protein Concentrate Versus Whey Isolate
Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey. This by-product contains 90 percent protein, with minimal amounts of fat and lactose. Whey concentrate is less pure, having retained some of the lactose and milk fat and can have 29 to 89 percent protein, depending on the manufacturer's production process. As the amount of protein in whey protein concentrate decreases, the amount of fat and lactose may increase.
Foundation of Whey Protein
Whey protein powder provides a concentrated form of protein containing amino acids, which build and repair muscle cells. Protein also supplies energy and is essential for metabolism. Because whey is a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids needed by the body, including leucine, isoleucine and valine, it is considered the richest source of naturally occurring chain amino acids. Keep in mind, however, that several factors can affect the quality of whey, such as milk source, the production process and type of cheese and what, if any, additional ingredients are added.
Nutrition Facts
The nutritional makeup of one, 25-gram serving of a generic whey protein product can vary based on the added flavors. Vanilla flavored whey protein isolate has 90 calories, 3 grams of total carbohydrates, 20 grams of protein 100 mg of calcium, 60 mg of phosphorus, 25 mg of magnesium, 50 mg of sodium and 100 mg of potassium. Ingredients for this product includes whey protein isolate, natural flavor, soy lecithin, stevia leaf extract, milk and soybean extract.
Uses
Whey helps to build lean muscle mass by increasing the body's production of muscle protein. For this reason, it is popular among athletes and bodybuilders. Whey also protects against muscle wasting in people with such diseases as AIDS and cancer. In addition, whey appears to inhibit the production of cancer cells, protect against free radical damage, and enhances immune function.
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