What's The Difference? Whey Protein Isolate vs. Whey Protein Concentrate.
It’s well established that the protein quality in whey protein has unsurpassed nutritional value. It gets a perfect protein quality score of 100 - higher than beef and chicken, even higher than pea protein, far higher than rice protein. So that means more protein value for your body. But all whey protein ingredients are not alike. Compare Whey protein ISOLATE to whey protein CONCENTRATE By the time you finish reading we think you will say: I want Isolate There is a LARGE difference! Sometimes ISOLATE has 3 times as much protein as the same amount of CONCENTRATE. Each one is defined by the FDA:
FDA Definitions | |
Whey Protein Isolate | 90% protein, minimum |
Whey Protein Concentrate: | 25% protein, minimum |
But wait, there is more! Not only is concentrate lower in protein, but it is much higher in lactose!IF YOU HAVE ANY LACTOSE INTOLERANCE, the safest course is to avoid concentrate because concentrate can be as much as half lactose or more. You would pay for the lactose, then it would make you sick! Did you have trouble tolerating some protein supplement? Maybe it had more lactose than the label said.
But wait, there is still more! Almost always, Whey protein ISOLATE tastes better, is less gritty and doesn’t have the same aftertaste. Why would companies ever use concentrate? Well, maybe they cannot get a good supply of ISOLATE. We think more likely, it is because concentrate is cheaper. Cheaper for the company, but not for your body. So that is why we think you will agree: I want Isolate