Whey Protein
Whey protein is the liquid fraction of milk that separates during cheese-making. Once filtered and spray-dried into a powder, whey is the most studied and most popular protein supplement on earth. It digests in roughly 90 minutes and is high in leucine, BCAAs and essential amino acids.
Why It Matters
Whey is the default protein supplement for a reason. It is cheap, complete, fast-digesting, very high in leucine, and pleasant in flavor and texture compared to most plant proteins. For most healthy adults trying to build or maintain muscle, a basic whey powder is the single most cost-effective supplement you can buy.
How to Spot It on a Label
Whey appears in three formats: concentrate (WPC, 70 to 80 percent protein), isolate (WPI, 90 percent plus), and hydrolysate (pre-digested for speed). Check the front of the tub for which one you are buying. Blends list multiple types in the ingredients in order of dominance.
Examples from real products
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