Whey protein has become a staple for supporting muscle growth and maintenance, a healthy diet, normal body composition, and faster workout recovery.[1-6]
But, as you may have noticed, not all whey protein powders are the same.
You’ve got your whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and whey protein hydrolysate, plus blends of two or more, all at different price points with varying opinions on which form is best.
So, what’s the difference between whey protein, isolate, and hydrolysate?
While all forms come from milk and can support muscle growth and recovery, they vary in digestibility, purity, and certain bioactive compounds.
Let’s unpack this so you can make the best choice for your health and fitness goals.
First, What is Whey Protein?
Many people’s first introduction to whey came from Little Miss Muffet, who sat on her tuffet, eating her curds and whey—a form of cottage cheese.
The curds are the soft solids, used to make cheese; the whey is the liquid strained from the solids, often found in yogurt or cottage cheese.
Liquid whey is used in baking, lactofermentation, and animal feed. It is also dried and processed to make whey protein concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate.
Although protein powders are a modern food product, whey has been considered a health and strength-building tonic for centuries.
It is a complete, high-quality protein rich in all essential amino acids, making it a sought-after sports nutrition supplement among athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts.
What’s the Difference Between Whey Protein Isolate, Hydrolysate, & Concentrate?
All types of whey protein come from the same source, milk, and are byproducts of cheesemaking.
The differences between whey protein isolate, hydrolysate, and concentrate come down to several key factors:
- Macros (protein, carbs, fat)
- Processing
- Digestibility
- Bioactive compounds
- Price point
- Flavor
- Personal preference
Here, we’ll break it down further by comparing the pros and cons of each form of whey.
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey protein concentrate is one of the more common and least processed forms of whey protein.
It contains between 35%-80% protein by weight, with most brands using concentrates that are 70-90% protein.
Pros of Whey Protein Concentrate
- It’s generally the most affordable of all forms of whey
- Contains more fat and carbs than other forms, which may be a pro or a con depending on your needs and goals
- May contain immunoglobulins, a bioactive compound which may support normal immune function[7] and aren’t found in other forms of whey (The concentration of immunoglobulins may vary between concentrates and batches.)
- May have a richer flavor than isolate and hydrolysate due to the extra fat, although this largely depends on the brand, formula, and personal taste
- It’s the most affordable of the three
Cons of Whey Protein Concentrate
- Whey concentrate contains more lactose than isolate and hydrolysate, which may make it harder to digest for some people
- Whey concentrate typically contains less protein compared to isolate and hydrolysate, although some brands combine concentrate with isolate to increase protein content
- It contains more calories, fat, and carbs than isolate or hydrolysate, which may be a pro or a con depending on the person
The bottom line: Whey protein concentrate may be a good choice for those looking for a budget-friendly whey protein with more fat, calories, and carbs.
However, it may not be optimal for individuals with lactose sensitivity, those looking to restrict calories, carbs, or fats, or those seeking a higher protein whey.
Related reading: 7 Ways Protein Shakes Support Weight Loss
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate is a top choice of athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and people with lactose sensitivity.
Although it typically costs more than whey protein concentrate, it’s generally more digestible and higher in protein than concentrate, while less expensive than whey hydrolysate.
Pros of Whey Protein Isolate
- Has more protein per gram than whey concentrate
- Contains less fat, carbs, and calories than whey protein concentrate
- It is very low in lactose, with some brands claiming 0% lactose, making it more tolerable, and in some cases appropriate, for the dairy-/lactose-sensitive
- It digests quickly, making it ideal for post-workout recovery
- Less processed than whey hydrolysate
- It’s generally less expensive than whey hydrolysate
Cons of Whey Protein Isolate
- The extra processing step to remove the majority of fat and lactose makes whey isolate more processed than whey protein concentrate
- It typically does not contain immune-supportive immunoglobulins
- It’s generally more expensive than whey protein concentrate
- Contains fewer carbs, fats, and calories than whey protein concentrate, which may be a pro or a con depending on the individual
- May not have the same rich flavor as whey protein concentrate, though this largely depends on the brand and personal preference
- May be less digestible than whey protein hydrolysate for the lactose-sensitive
The bottom line: Whey protein isolate contains more protein, less fat, fewer carbs and calories, and less lactose than whey protein concentrate and is generally easier to digest.
However, some athletes and dairy-sensitive individuals may prefer whey hydrolysate.
Related reading: Benefits of Whey Isolate Protein
Whey Protein Hydrolysate
Whey protein hydrolysate is less common than concentrate and isolate, but it is popular among serious athletes, bodybuilders, and people with milk allergies.
Also known as predigested whey, whey protein hydrolysate undergoes hydrolysis, a process that breaks down the protein into smaller peptides, making it easier to digest and absorb.
This process also makes it suitable for most people with milk or lactose allergies.
Pros of Whey Protein Hydrolysate
- May absorb faster than concentrate and isolate,[8] although more research is needed
- Easier to digest
- Suitable for most people with dairy or lactose allergies (but check with your healthcare practitioner)
- Lower in fat, carbs, and calories than whey protein concentrate
- May improve post-exercise recovery time in some people,[9] although the effects may be negligible vs. isolate or concentrate
- Its predigested form may cause fewer digestive issues
Cons of Whey Protein Hydrolysate
- It’s the most expensive form of whey
- It’s the most processed form of whey
- It may not improve workout recovery time in everyone compared to other forms
- It can have a bitter taste, although this varies based on the brand and formula
The bottom line: Whey protein hydrolysate may be the best choice for those with dairy or lactose sensitivities who cannot tolerate whey isolate or concentrate.
Athletes also swear by it for faster workout recovery.
However, its effects on pre-workout recovery compared to concentrate and isolate are not well-documented, so it may not be worth the extra expense.
Whey Protein Isolate, Hydrolysate, & Concentrate: What’s The Best Choice For You?
Now that you know the differences, pros, and cons, you can test out which whey protein is best for you.
If you’re still unsure, whey protein isolate is generally a sound place to start.
It’s less expensive than whey hydrolysate, tastes great, is lower in fat, carbs, and calories, and is widely available.
Its low lactose content also makes it less likely to cause digestive issues, like gas and bloating, than concentrate, and it tastes great.
Related: Is Gluten-Free Protein Powder Healthier? Discover The Benefits Here
Other Tips for Choosing a High-Quality Protein Powder
Once you’ve determined the best form of whey protein to meet your needs, it’s time to find the cleanest brand.
Here are some considerations to help you make an informed choice:
- Ideally, look for brands sourced from grass-fed/pasture-raised cows
- Ensure the brand tests for purity
- If gluten is a consideration, look for certified gluten-free brands
- Look for products made in a third-party certified cGMP facility
- Avoid products with additives, preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors
- Look for naturally-sweetened or unsweetened varieties
- If you’re counting calories, look for low-calorie brands (typically isolate or hydrolysate vs. concentrate)
- If you’re a vegetarian, look for a Vegetarian Certification on Whey Protein powders
Protein powder brands vary widely in the quality of ingredients.
Fortunately, more brands meet or exceed this criterion, including BioChem.
Our Grass-fed Vanilla Whey Protein packs a healthy 20 grams of whey protein isolate per serving, comes in vanilla, chocolate, unflavored, naturally-sweetened, or sugar-free, and is certified vegetarian.
We chose whey protein isolate due to its superior digestibility, low lactose, and research backing its exercise, strength-building, and health-supportive benefits.
All Biochem protein powders and sports nutrition supplements are laboratory-tested for purity and potency, and manufactured in cGMP-certified facilities, ensuring you get the cleanest supplements to power your health, fitness, and recovery.
References Mentioned in this Article:
- “Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Performance Recovery after Resistance Exercise: A Double-Blind Crossover Study”. Nutrients.
- “Nutritional interventions to augment resistance training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy”. Frontiers in Physiology.
- “Effects of whey protein supplementation prior to, and following, resistance exercise on body composition and training responses: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study”. Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry.
- “Impact of Whey Protein Supplementation in a Weight-Loss Intervention in Rural Dwelling Adults: A Feasibility Study”. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN.
- “Effect of milk protein intake and casein-to-whey ratio in breakfast meals on postprandial glucose, satiety ratings, and subsequent meal intake”. J Dairy Sci.
- “Whey protein supplementation and muscle mass: current perspectives”. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements.
- “Whey protein concentrates with and without immunoglobulins: a review” J Med Food.
- “Ingestion of a protein hydrolysate is accompanied by an accelerated in vivo digestion and absorption rate”. Journal of Nutrition.
- “Supplementation with a whey protein hydrolysate enhances recovery of muscle force-generating capacity following eccentric exercise”. J Sci Med Sport.