Whey is a high-quality, complex protein found in milk. This easily digested protein is used in various food products, including bread, baby formula and ice cream. Bodybuilders and athletes often use whey protein as a dietary supplement to improve muscle strength, increase energy levels and speed up recovery times. Several types of whey exist, and although they have similar characteristics, they also have significant differences.
Whey Protein Concentrate
The most basic type of whey is whey protein concentrate. Depending on the brand, whey protein concentrates contain anywhere from 29 to 89 percent protein. Concentrates with high protein levels generally contain low levels of lactose and fats. Although concentrates contain less protein per gram than other types of whey, BodyBuilding.com says that good whey concentrates often contain a high level of amino acids. Cheaper whey protein concentrates tend to be a little higher in fat than other whey products, but these fats might actually offer some health benefits, such as improving your intestinal health and boosting your immune system.
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolates are the purest form of whey because the isolates have been processed to remove most of the lactose and fat. According to BodyBuilding.com, whey protein isolates contain up to 96 percent protein, which means this type of whey offers you the most protein per gram. Whey protein isolate products cost more than whey protein concentrates, but they also tend to be easier to digest. This means that your body can absorb the protein faster. Whey protein isolates also contain fewer carbs than whey protein concentrates.
Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
In hydrolyzed whey protein supplements, the whey protein has been partially broken up into different sized peptides, according to BodyBuilding.com. This means that your body can absorb the protein quicker. The faster absorption rate can benefit those with metabolic conditions, such as premature babies and people who are lactose intolerant. Used by serious athletes and bodybuilders, this is the least common type of whey as well as the most expensive. Hydrolyzed whey protein products also have the reputation for not tasting very pleasant.
Whey Blends
Whey blends contain a mixture of whey concentrates and whey isolates. The Whey Protein Institute mentions that whey blends are the most popular type of whey products because they are typically a good value for your money and contain excellent amino acid profiles. Whey blend products generally contain less lactose, carbs and fats than the whey protein concentrates. However, whey blends usually have more fat, lactose and carbs than the whey protein isolate products. Some whey blends contain mostly whey protein concentrate, so be sure to read the product label before you buy whey blend products.
Ion Exchange Whey Isolate
BodyBuilding.com explains that ion exchange whey isolates are created through a special process in which a whey protein concentrate is sent through an ion exchange column. This process is designed to turn whey protein concentrates into pure whey protein. While many people think that the ion exchange process is great because it increases the protein content of a product, others believe that this process actually depletes many of the healthy components found in whey protein.
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