How many of us weightlifters and bodybuilders consume all kinds of workout supplements without actually knowing precisely what they are? Sure, we trust the medical community, the FDA, and everybody and everything that makes these wonderful compounds available to us in our markets.
But that doesn’t mean we should blindly feed ourselves whatever someone else pushes in our direction. So let’s find out exactly what is whey protein powder.
Whey Protein – What Is It?
Whey protein is a generic term for the residual soluble proteins that are collected from whey. Okay, so what is whey then? Whey is a liquid by-product that is generated in the process of making cheese. That makes sense, since we all know milk is heavy with the protein. So that is very basics of where whey protein comes from. Does it gross you out? I hope not, because it is valuable to us in our strength training pursuits!
Cheese is produced by allowing milk to coagulate. In the interest of not further grossing ourselves out, let’s not worry about what that means precisely.
Also read: Natural protein by Natural Stacks >>
It just means that anything that can be separated into a solid from milk is separated, and whey is what is left over in liquid form it means it can easily be turned or remain in liquid form, which is good for our body to digest.
The liquid that is left over, which is whey, is treated in many fashions to remove the extra fats and lactose that we don’t need. The idea is to remove the extras so that what is left is concentrated protein.
This can be done through natural drying, or denatured using the application of heat. The heat causes the protein to become hydrophobic, or “scared of water,” and so it all separates into a kind of gel.
Types of Whey Protein Powder
So when you shop around for your whey supplements, you are going to be asking yourself, which one of these types is the best whey protein powder. Let me break down the differences for you real quick. Concentrates mean there is a boatload of protein involved, but it will still feature small amounts of fat and even cholesterol.
That’s not a bad deal, but if you want it so that it’s 90%+ protein and that’s all, you’ll want to go after what is labeled an isolate.
There are also hydrolysates, which are pre-digested (gross) chemically which makes it easier for your body to digest it later. The cost for this is much higher, and the return for your investment may not be worth it unless you are a competing athlete or performer.
This is the basic information you need to know about whey protein powders. It’s not much, but it’s important to know what it is you are making a vital part of your routine. Knowledge is power!
Read our full review about one of the trusted pre-workouts out there: 4 Gauge >>
