Protein Concentrate better known as an essential group of whey-based food supplements and ingredients. The most basic use of protein concentrate is in cereals, baked foods, processed cheese, sports beverages and most notably, muscle gain formulations. The most common form of protein concentrate is Whey Protein Concentrate or WPC. Whey protein concentrate is complete protein nutrition that contains 9 essential amino acids and is low in lactose content. WPC or whey protein concentrate has many benefits upon consumption, and new researches have shown considerate therapeutic properties. However, whey is more than just a protein as it contains highly potent biological effects. Let us dive into the different features and benefits we can expect from whey protein concentrate.
Overview of Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)
Whey protein concentrate is a protein-rich, dairy by-product, and is the most popular simple supplement available in the market. The simple process of obtaining whey is:
- Milking a cow
- Turning milk into cheese
- Removal of liquid whey during the cheese-making process and dried to make a fine powder
The concentrated form of whey obtained by removing non-protein components during the process. The result is in the form of 75-85 percent pure protein, and the rest is fats and carbohydrates. WPC is popular due to having high-protein properties and the ability to quickly absorb by the body. After the separation process, the whey goes through many other processes that make the form of whey people recognize. As a powder, that adds into shakes, protein bars or food supplements. Whey does not taste very good on its own, so there are flavors added like chocolate, vanilla or strawberry to make it more easily consumable. Having whey is a great way to add protein to your daily intakes. Whey is essentially used by bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts and by people who want to lose weight. It simply adds protein intake for people who have a lack of protein in their system.
Is Whey Right For You?
As always, consuming whey needs some considerations from your side:
- The prominent sugar present in milk is lactose and acts as an allergen and difficult to digest. An estimated 60% of adults do not produce lactase, an enzyme that digests lactose effectively.
- Have a look at your quality requirements. In case you expect your supplement to meet the same requirement as that of milk or eggs bought from the market. Be sure to check the labels for additives and other chemicals.
If your body does not digest milk easily, the best option is to consult a physician before consuming whey.
The three main categories of whey protein are:
Concentrated: It contains 70-80% pure protein and added lactose and fat and has the best flavor.
Isolate: 90% protein with less fat and lactose and mostly lacks features presented by whey protein concentrate.
Hydrolysate: This type has better absorbing properties as it is normally pre-digested. It causes a 28-43% greater spike in insulin as compared to isolate.
With these features, whey protein concentrate is the most viable option. It is a natural way to retain most of the naturally found in whey. Mostly preferred by people due to the presence of taste and lactose with milk sugar.
Effects of WPC on Muscle Strength and Mass
The most popular use of whey protein concentrate is by bodybuilders to increase their muscle mass and strength. Gym enthusiasts and athletes also prefer whey protein concentrate to increase performance and strength. The ways of muscle improvement by WPC is as following:
Hormones: It helps in an increase in anabolic hormones that support muscle increase and growth, such as insulin.
Building Blocks: It provides a dose of amino acids with proteins that serves as the building blocks for muscle enhancement.
Leucine: A high-powered amino acid that stimulates muscle protein synthesis and growth at a molecular and genetic level.
Absorption: WPC has more quick absorption capabilities as compared to other protein types.
This muscle improvement process has significant growth due to the presence of needed nutrients present in the WPC. Hence, it provides a greater dose for those looking for the enhancement in performance and greater muscle improvement. Whey protein has shown greater results when consumed right before, during or after an intense workout (unlike the pre-workouts which are taken before) . However, reviews show that muscle gain is highly dependent on the daily intake of protein. So if you take it before or after the work out does not matter as long as consumption is proper. It has shown slightly better results when combined with other ingredients like soy protein. Keep in mind that if your body has a proper intake of protein, then WPC is not going to do any good for your body. Therefore, the results of WPC varies between the individual and their intakes. If you have an adequate intake of protein through eggs or mils, the effects of WPC is likely to be minimal.
Benefits of Whey Protein Concentrate
Besides having the best results as performing supplement for bodybuilders and athletes. Whey protein concentrate also has significant other benefits in daily use.
Aiding in Weight Loss: WPC has mostly associated itself with losing significantly more bodyweight. It has greater preservation of lean muscle by consuming whey beverages.
Anti-Cancer Properties: Whey protein concentrate tends to have anti-cancer properties; however, more research needed to back that claim.
Lowering Cholesterol: There is a significant lowering of cholesterol in individuals who regularly consume whey protein concentrate.
Asthma Control: Another benefit of whey protein concentrate is the boost in the immune system that fights against asthma. A supplement of protein daily can produce a consistent improvement in immune responses.
Blood Pressure and Cardio Diseases: Beverages usually made from protein tends to normalize blood pressure in people with hypertension. There is also a lowering chance of having a stroke or heart disease.
Those willing to limit their fats and carbohydrate intake may alternate to whey as it provides a quality alternative to other components. Another point to consider here is that some whey supplements support both the properties of concentrated and isolate.
Conclusion
Whey protein consists of several fast-digesting proteins and is an essential ingredient of dietary supplements. Whey isolate goes through a different process than whey concentrate. This results in isolate having more protein as compared to concentrate. However, whey protein concentrate consists of more carbs and lactose that gives a necessary boost to those with protein deficiencies. The points, as mentioned above, will act as a guide for all those looking to add whey protein concentrate in their diet. No matter the use, taking whey protein concentrate is a sure way to enhance your performance and overall body mass. Another benefit of using whey protein concentrate is that it is cheaper than other types of whey.
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Thanks for the article. I think it’s also important to point out that the quality of whey protein powders in the market is certainly a lot better than it was a few years ago. Still though it pays to do the research before choosing a WPC.