Whether you’re a gym veteran or brand new to the world of health and fitness, you’ve no doubt heard of protein powder before and the many benefits it promises. Protein itself is one of the core building blocks of bone, muscle, and skin and is required to produce hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals. From a fitness perspective, protein is one of the most beneficial supplements for bridging the gap between you and your goals. This essential macronutrient is responsible for helping to build muscle, repair tissue, and assist in weight management. Despite possibly knowing all of this, do you find yourself questioning what whey protein is and the difference between WPC and WPI when it comes to working towards your goals? Let’s investigate further… 

What is Whey Protein?

Whey protein is undoubtedly one of the most common sporting supplements available on the market. But, what is it? Whey and casein are two of the primary proteins found in milk. In its simplest form, whey is the liquid by-product of cheese production, and whey protein is what’s extracted from liquid whey. While milk consists of various nutrients (including carbs, vitamins, and more), it also contains roughly 80% casein and 20% whey. During the process of turning milk into cheese, the whey component is separated from casein and is further filtered to remove all additional non-whey ingredients. Once pasteurized and dried, it is turned into a powder, resulting in the whey protein you know and love. 

Whey Protein Isolate (WPI): 

Whey Protein Isolate, more commonly known as WPI, is further processed to reduce fat and lactose content, resulting in a high-protein, low-fat option. 

Suitable for: Anyone wanting to build lean muscle and generally a safer alternative for those who struggle with lactose intolerance or gastric stress. 

The pros:

Faster absorption rate
Leaner and lower fat profile 
The purest and highest source of protein on the market 
Contains less lactose than WPC 
Higher protein content - generally delivers around 90-95% protein

The cons:

Alongside filtering out a lot of the lactose and fats, you also lose some beneficial vitamins and minerals
Generally slightly less flavoursome than WPC
Generally somewhat more expensive than WPC due to its protein content 

Our top pick: Evolve WPI 

Containing 35g of premium quality ultra-refined whey protein isolate and as little as 1.8g of carbohydrates, and under 1g of sugar and fat, Evolve WPI is the ultimate post-workout protein for rapidly replenishing your muscles with vital nutrients to support recovery and muscle growth while helping you achieve a leaner and more defined physique. As one of the purest and highest quality protein sources on the market, you can count on Evolve WPI to fuel your body with more of what it needs to grow and recover without nasty additives or filler ingredients. 

Like what you hear? Click here to keep reading!

Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC):

Whey Protein Concentrate (aka WPC) is a slightly less refined protein source, meaning it contains high protein (not quite as high as WPI) and contains a fair serving of carbohydrates and fats. 

Suitable for: Anyone wanting to boost the effects of weight training, build muscle, or reduce food cravings to reach their body goals. 

The pros:

The most popular form of whey protein
A more cost-effective option
The least processed form of whey, meaning it’s rich in other non-protein ingredients such as fats, lactose, vitamins, and minerals
It will keep you feeling fuller for longer

The cons:

Contains less protein than WPI. Generally supplies 60-80% protein, with the remaining 20-40% composed of fats and carbs
Not an ideal option for those who are lactose intolerant or struggle with digestive dairy products

Our top pick: Evolve Incredible Whey

With 23.3g of protein and 3g of carbs, and 1.4g of fats per serve, Evolve Incredible Whey is a high-quality, sustained-release protein designed to support muscle recovery without heavy carbs or fats. Simply add this delicious protein to water to enjoy as a post-workout shake, or add it to your favourite smoothies to help increase your protein intake throughout the day.  

Want to find out more about this incredible product? Click here!