What is whey protein?
Protein-based supplements are among the most popular supplements in the segment of dietary supplements. There are available in the form of powders, drinks, bars, and now even in form of carbonated drinks.
Among the many choices available to consumers, powder continues to dominate the market because of its efficient nutrition value, fast digestibility, and competitive pricing and among powders, whey protein is the most popular.
Whey protein powder is actually a by-product of cheese making process, during the cheese-making process, the milk is heated to remove unwanted bacteria, which separates the milk into curd and liquid whey.
There are three types of whey proteins available in the market
(i) Whey protein concentrate : The concentration of protein can be above 80 percent to 90 percent. It is the most economical protein available among the three types of whey protein
(ii) Whey protein isolate : Isolates are generally further processed to remove fat and lactose and have a protein content of around 90-95 percent. They are slightly expensive as compared to concentrate whey protein.
(ii) Whey protein hydrolyzed : Hydrolyzed protein is often known as the purest form of whey protein as well. It goes through the process of hydrolysis. It has around 98 percent concentration. It is the most expensive and least tasty.
To know more about whey protein, we recommend reading an article on Whey protein and its types
Guide to buy whey protein powder
Fortunately for the consumers, the supplementation market is growing rapidly with more and more players entering the market, this is not only making the pricing very competitive but also a lot of improvements and innovations are being made in terms of the quality of products being offered.
However, as more and more consumers get attracted to the market it also becomes important for the consumer to be reasonably aware of how to choose the right product among the many options available.
Here is our guide on what things to consider while ensuring good quality protein
| Protein to calorie ratio | One scoop of around 30-33 grams should contain protein intake of 22-25 grams and leucine content of 2.5 to 3 grams |
|---|---|
| Amino acid profile | It is very important that we check that all the essential amino acid composition, some companies just disclose the total protein intake and avoid disclosing amino acid profile, it's always better to purchase one that discloses the same. |
| Intolerances | People with lactose intolerance or any other gut issue can consider getting the green signal from a doctor before consuming. For example, people with lactose intolerance may stick to isolate whey protein instead of concentrate |
| Supplier and Packaging | It is always important to purchase the product from the company’s website or from any reputed online or offline retail chain. secondly, one should also ensure that there is no malicious package or spelling mistakes and boxes have company verifiable barcodes. |
| Mixability, | Unfortunately, this is something we cannot see on the label. however, it is very important for whey protein to have good mixability for a better experience. This can be checked from reviews, feedback, experience, etc. |
| Flavour | It is a reasonably important factor for consuming whey protein, different people have different tastes. Some brands will reflect more sweetness as compared to others and there are a variety of flavors one can try but unconventional flavors can have taste differences between different brands. chocolate is one flavor that is generally a safe bet across brands, newer consumers may consider starting with chocolate flavor. |
