Whey Protein Isolate vs Concentrate: What’s The Difference?

Protein powders, shakes and bars rank among the most commonly used dietary supplements.

A frequent protein source in these products is whey, a by-product of dairy.

Whey comes in different forms, with whey isolate and whey concentrate being two of the most prevalent.

This article outlines how these two types of whey protein differ and whether one is preferable to use.

What Is Whey Protein?

Much of the protein included in powders, bars and beverages is sourced from milk. When milk is processed to make cheese or yogurt, the leftover liquid is known as whey (1).

This liquid holds the rapidly-digested proteins typically called whey protein.

Before processing, roughly 20% of milk’s protein is whey, while the remaining 80% is made up of the slower-digesting casein proteins.

Both whey and casein are classified as high-quality proteins because they supply all essential amino acids the body requires.

Still, whey is often regarded as particularly effective at stimulating new muscle protein synthesis.

Supplements employ several forms of whey protein. Two common varieties are whey isolate and whey concentrate.

These forms are produced by distinct processing methods and differ slightly in their nutrient profiles.

Summary Whey protein is the fast-digesting portion of dairy protein. Various forms of whey supplements exist, and two frequent ones are whey isolate and whey concentrate.

What’s the Difference Between Whey Isolate and Whey Concentrate?

There are a number of nutritional distinctions between whey isolate and concentrate, mainly stemming from differences in processing.

When whey is collected as a by-product of cheese or yogurt manufacturing, it undergoes several processing steps to raise its protein concentration (1).

Once the protein concentration reaches a certain level, the liquid can be dried into whey concentrate powder that contains up to about 80% protein by weight. The remaining portion of whey concentrate powder consists of carbohydrates and fats.

If further processing is applied to reduce fats and carbohydrates, the result can be a whey isolate powder containing 90% or more protein by weight (1).

Overall, the extra processing used to make whey isolate yields a higher protein proportion and lower amounts of fat and carbs per serving.

Nevertheless, the amino acid profiles of both forms are nearly identical, as they originate from the same proteins.

The table below highlights key contrasts between a typical whey isolate and whey concentrate per 100-calorie serving:

MoreLess23 grams18 grams1 gram3.5 grams0 grams1.5 gramsUp to 1 gramUp to 3.5 gramsHigherLower

Besides having fewer total carbohydrates, whey isolate is also lower in lactose, which may make it a preferable option for people with lactose sensitivity.

That said, the lactose levels in both whey types are often low enough for many lactose-intolerant individuals to tolerate.

There are also price differences: whey isolate generally costs more than whey concentrate.

While this reflects the greater purity of isolate, using a larger quantity of whey concentrate can supply the same protein amount, frequently at a reduced cost.

Summary The primary distinction between whey isolate and concentrate is that isolate undergoes more processing, yielding higher protein content with fewer carbs, lactose and fats. Whey isolate usually carries a higher price tag than whey concentrate.

Both Forms Have Similar Benefits

Numerous studies back the positive effects of whey protein for physically active people.

One trial involving 192 exercisers reported that supplementation with whey protein, whether isolate or concentrate, improved lean mass and strength.

Despite small nutritional variances, there is little convincing evidence that whey isolate and concentrate produce different outcomes in the body.

For protein, a crucial factor is overall daily intake. Moreover, it’s commonly advised that most daily protein comes from high-quality sources such as dairy, eggs and poultry.

Both whey isolate and concentrate are high-quality proteins, and if equal protein doses are consumed, they are expected to have similar effects.

That said, individuals restricting fat, carbohydrates or lactose might favor whey isolate because it contains less of each.

It’s also common for products to blend protein types, combining whey isolate and concentrate in the same supplement.

Summary Research supports the benefits of whey protein for active people, but there’s no clear evidence showing differing effects between whey isolate and whey concentrate.

The Bottom Line

Whey protein comprises several fast-digesting proteins and is a frequent ingredient in supplements. Two typical variants are whey isolate and whey concentrate.

Whey isolate undergoes additional processing compared with concentrate, which results in a higher protein percentage and lower carbs and fat per serving.

These nutritional differences are relatively small, and evidence does not strongly support different physiological effects between the two forms.

Whey isolate might suit those who are closely limiting fat, carbs or lactose intake, though it is usually pricier.

Consuming a slightly larger amount of whey concentrate can deliver the same total protein as a whey isolate product, often more economically.

Whichever you choose, whey is a high-quality protein that can help you meet your daily protein requirements.