Whey Protein Isolate vs. Concentrate: What’s the Difference?

No matter where you are in your fitness journey, you'll likely want to try a protein powder. Therefore, it pays off to know exactly what the different types of proteins available are. Two common ones are protein isolate powder and protein concentrate powder.

In this post, we'll look at whey concentrates and isolates specifically. However, it's worth noting that vegan protein concentrates and isolates exist. The logic in these products is the same – isolates will have a higher protein content per portion. However, the type of protein will differ, as whey protein comes from milk, and vegan protein is usually from soy, pea, or rice.

Whey Isolate vs. Concentrate at a Glance

Whey protein isolate undergoes additional processing and generally contains a higher proportion of protein with less fat, carbohydrates, and lactose than whey concentrate. Whey concentrate is less processed and is usually more affordable. Both provide whey protein, so the right choice depends on your nutritional requirements, lactose tolerance, budget, taste, and preferred texture.

Factor	Whey protein isolate	Whey protein concentrate
Protein content	Around 90% protein by weight	Varies by product and can be up to 89% protein by weight
Fat and carbohydrates	Generally lower	Generally higher than isolate
Lactose	Generally lower, but not necessarily lactose-free	Generally higher than isolate
Processing	Undergoes additional processing	Requires less processing
Cost	Usually more expensive	Usually more affordable

What Is Whey Protein Concentrate?

Whey protein concentrate is a less processed form of whey protein and is usually more affordable than whey protein isolate.

Whey protein concentrate varies by product and may contain up to 89% protein by weight. It provides essential amino acids, including leucine.

Whey protein has been studied in relation to:

1. Satiety and its relationship with hunger-regulating hormones
2. Supporting lean mass outcomes when combined with resistance training
3. Some whey-derived proteins and peptides have shown antimicrobial properties in research
4. The relationship between protein intake and bone health; current evidence does not establish that higher protein intake improves bone mineral density overall
5. Body-weight and body-composition outcomes; whey protein does not guarantee weight loss

Whey protein concentrate powders may have different amounts of protein, calories, fats and sugars, depending on who they are manufactured by. Therefore, when choosing one, it's best to pay attention to the nutrition labels to help you make the right choice.

What Is Whey Protein Isolate?

A protein isolate is simply a whey protein that is further processed to increase its protein content. An isolate is around 90% protein by weight, meaning that you’ll get more protein in a serving.

The benefits of whey protein isolate and concentrate are very much the same. This is because they consist of the same type of protein, whey, just in different proportions. When combined with resistance training and an appropriate overall diet, adequate protein intake can support gains in muscle mass.

Whey Isolate vs. Concentrate: Key Differences

So, to help summarize, what are the main differences between isolate and whey protein concentrate?

1. Protein content. Whey protein isolate generally contains a higher proportion of protein per 100 grams. An isolate containing 90% protein provides 27 grams of protein in a 30-gram serving.
2. Fat and carbohydrate content. Protein isolate powder tends to have less fat and carbs in a product serving.
3. Processing amount. Protein isolate undergoes more processing to make the protein more concentrated and remove more fat and carbohydrates.
4. Lactose content. Protein isolate is naturally lower in lactose than whey. However, they both have it. If you can't tolerate lactose, choose a lactose-free protein.
5. Cost. Whey protein concentrate requires less processing and, therefore, is usually cheaper than isolate.

How Whey Isolate and Concentrate Are Produced

Whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate are produced through related processing steps. Production begins with milk, which is transported to a dairy processing facility.

Cow’s milk protein is approximately 80% casein and 20% whey protein. During cheese production, rennet coagulates the casein. The remaining liquid whey is collected for further processing.

Whey protein is obtained using a process called ultrafiltration. The whey is passed through a membrane that acts like a sieve, allowing lactose and minerals in the whey to go through. The protein is retained, as it doesn't pass through this membrane. After that, the whey protein can undergo evaporation and concentration. This forms the concentrate.

The dry whey is further processed to remove everything that's not a protein, using different separation techniques to obtain a whey protein isolate.

How to Use Whey Protein

Whether you’re choosing a whey concentrate powder or a whey isolate, the beauty of them lies in their ease of use.

There are many ways to use a protein supplement. The simplest one is to make a protein shake. To do so, mix your protein concentrate or isolate with some water or milk according to package directions. That will result in a convenient protein boost that you can have at home, in the gym, or even on the go.

Alternatively, concentrate and isolate protein powders can be used to enrich meals low in protein. For many of us, breakfasts are either non-existent or low in protein. We may grab a fruit smoothie, have some cereal, or even just drink some coffee. However, that often doesn’t quite hold us over before lunch.

Including protein at breakfast may support satiety, but it does not by itself guarantee reduced snacking or weight loss.

You can add protein powder to your breakfast foods. Overnight oats or oatmeal, pancakes, muffins, smoothies, or yoghurts are all great options to add a scoop of protein powder to.

Which One Should You Choose?

Now that you know the difference between whey protein concentrate and isolate, a question remains. Which of these should you choose?

Both protein types are useful for increasing your protein intake. However, there can be instances where a protein isolate may suit you better than a concentrate. For example, an isolate may suit someone who wants more protein with less lactose, fat, or carbohydrate per serving. Calories and macronutrients vary by product, so compare the nutrition labels before choosing. You can compare available options in the Maxler US protein collection.

But, no matter which one you choose, there are certain things to watch out for when choosing any protein powder:

1. Protein powder quality. Choose protein powders from brands that are open about their sourcing and their quality standards. It’s better to spend more time searching for a high-quality product than be disappointed by a lower-quality one. All Maxler protein powders are made in GMP and IFS-certified factories. We pride ourselves in our tight quality control.
2. Protein powder macros. You need to make sure that your protein powders fit into your lifestyle seamlessly. If you’re aiming to cut down your calorie intake, choose lower-calorie protein powders.
3. Additional ingredients. Sometimes, protein powders may have additional ingredients in them, for example, those said to promote fat burning. Do your research and check whether you need and want to pay extra money for them. Alternatively, other proteins may have additional ingredients you want. For example, all Maxler protein powders contain the DigeZyme enzyme complex. Check the product label for the current formula and ingredient information.
4. Your personal dietary requirements. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different protein powders and see what works. Many people may prefer the taste or texture of a vegan protein powder or may need to look for a lactose-free powder that doesn’t upset their stomach.
5. Flavor and texture. Flavor and texture can affect whether a product fits comfortably into your routine. Choose an option you enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between whey isolate and concentrate?

Whey isolate undergoes additional processing to increase the proportion of protein and remove more fat, carbohydrates, and lactose. Whey concentrate is less processed and retains more of these components.

Does whey isolate contain more protein?

Whey isolate generally contains a higher proportion of protein. The article’s cited figures describe isolate as around 90% protein by weight, while concentrate can vary and may contain up to 89% protein by weight.

Does whey isolate contain less lactose?

Whey isolate generally contains less lactose than whey concentrate, but it is not automatically lactose-free. Check the product label if lactose content is important to you.

Is whey isolate better than whey concentrate?

Neither option is universally better. The suitable choice depends on your nutritional requirements, lactose tolerance, budget, taste, and preferred texture.

Is whey concentrate usually more affordable?

Whey concentrate is usually more affordable because it requires less processing than whey isolate.

How can whey isolate and concentrate be used?

Both can be mixed with water or milk according to the package directions. They can also be added to foods such as oatmeal, pancakes, smoothies, or yoghurt.

Protein concentrates and isolates differ in their protein, fat, carbohydrate, and lactose content. The better option depends on the nutrition label, your dietary requirements, budget, and preferred taste and texture.