Menu
While whey protein is the gold standard in sports nutrition, choosing between whey protein isolate and concentrate requires careful consideration since it impacts a variety of factors, ranging from lactose to leucine content.
Across the globe, consumers are looking for ways to boost their protein intake. Protein is an essential nutrient to support wellbeing, strength, and fitness and is important to consumers of all ages seeking an active and healthy lifestyle. This growing interest may be reflected the most in the sports nutrition category.
Europe continues to lead as the fastest-growing region for launches of sports nutrition products with protein (CAGR +26%, 2017-2022), but Asia now claims the number two spot (CAGR +22%, 2017-2022).1 As Asia’s fitness culture develops and expands, the region’s $3.2 billion2 sports nutrition market has some exciting opportunities ahead in protein-based products.
Consumers are turning to protein products for reasons ranging from healthy nutrition to weight management to muscle building. But to give consumers the best possible fuel to support these goals, manufacturers should understand that all proteins are not created equal.
There are many different proteins being used in products today—from dairy protein options like whey and milk proteins to plant-based proteins like pea protein, which is trending big in plant-based sports nutrition. But even if products are formulated to have the same amount of protein, the quality of the protein makes a big difference in what it actually provides the body.
Dairy protein, for example, has been studied for decades for its effects on muscle mass gains, strength building, and workout recovery. Among the different types of dairy protein, whey protein has long been the preferred protein for sports nutrition applications due to its perfect PDCAAS of 1.00. This means it contains all the essential amino acids that the body requires in the right proportion to meet the body’s needs. Unlike many plant proteins, there is no shortage of any amino acid with whey protein.
Even among whey protein ingredients, there are some important distinctions. Here’s a look at some key differences between the two most popular whey protein ingredients: whey protein isolate (WPI) and whey protein concentrate (WPC).
Perhaps the best-known difference between WPI and WPC is protein content. WPC can contain up to 80% protein, while WPI contains 90%. This means less WPI is required to achieve a finished product’s target protein content. Furthermore, WPI can be produced through two different technologies—the traditional ion exchange method and the newer cross-flow microfiltration process. Cross-flow microfiltration is a gentler process pioneered by Glanbia Nutritionals that yields higher quality, undenatured whey proteins.
Download our eGuide today!
Whey protein naturally includes a number of bioactive compounds such as glycomacropeptide (GMP), alpha-lactalbumin, and beta-lactoglobulin, which have been researched for a variety of beneficial effects on the body, including immune system support. GMP is also being researched for potential roles in satiety and lean muscle development. When WPI is processed via cross-flow microfiltration like Provon CFM™ Whey Protein Isolate, these bioactives are preserved, resulting in higher bioactive levels than WPC.
During the additional processing it takes to go from a WPC 80% to a WPI 90%, a lot of unnecessary components are removed, including lactose. This is why WPI is extremely low in lactose (less than 1%, compared to about 5% for WPC), making it an excellent choice for consumers who tend to be sensitive to lactose such as Asian, Latino, and black consumers.
Likewise, a significant amount of fat and cholesterol are removed during the processing of WPI. The fat content of WPI is less than 1%, compared to about 8% for WPC 80%, and WPI is virtually cholesterol-free. These features can be important for products targeting consumers who are watching their fat and cholesterol intake.
WPI is also high in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—including leucine, which research shows plays an essential role in muscle protein synthesis and growth. Glanbia Nutritionals' Provon CFM™ Whey Protein Isolate has 23 grams of BCAAs per 100 grams of powder—6 grams more than WPC 80%—and 11 grams of leucine, compared to 8 grams for WPC.
While the high purity of WPI offers key nutrition benefits for sports nutrition products, WPC has important uses in dairy and bakery products, for example, and is known for its pleasant, creamy taste. Learn more about the options in whey protein solutions for your products, including our high-quality Provon CFM™ Whey Protein Isolates and Avonlac® Whey Protein Concentrates.
