Whey protein is a type of protein derived from milk. About 20 percent of the protein in milk consists of whey; the remaining 80 percent is casein protein. Protein powders have increased in popularity, particularly among exercise enthusiasts who consume whey protein to prevent the breakdown of muscle fibers. Two common protein powders are protein blends and whey protein isolate. Understanding the differences between them can help you determine what protein powder to purchase.
Significance
Whey protein isolate powders contain the largest amount of protein per weight -- about 90 percent of protein by weight, according to the website Muscle and Strength. Protein blends are protein powders that contain some whey protein isolate but also contain whey protein concentrate, which typically is about 75 percent protein by weight. While whey protein blends have more protein than a whey protein concentrate powder, they have less than a whey protein isolate powder.
Fat Content
Whey protein isolates are filtered to remove fat and lactose, which is a sugar commonly found in milk. This makes whey protein isolates the lowest-fat choice among protein powders. Whey protein blends have not been filtered as thoroughly, which means they tend to have a higher fat content than whey protein isolates. However, you need some fat in your diet, so knowing how much fat you need can help you determine the protein powder that is best for you.
Price
Because whey protein isolate tends to have more steps in the manufacturing process, it tends to be higher in price than other protein powder options, according to Muscle and Strength. If price is a factor, a whey protein blend may be preferable to whey protein isolate options.
Labels
When choosing between whey protein isolate and whey protein blends, it is important to read the nutrition labels carefully. Some whey protein blends contain very little whey protein isolate, which makes them little better than whey protein concentrate powders. This also can make whey protein concentrate powders significantly higher in carbohydrates, fat and lactose than whey protein isolate options.
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