Whey Protein

What is Whey Protein

Whey Protein is a mixture of proteins which is derived from milk during the cheese production. Milk contains 2 types of protein: Casein (80%) and whey (20%). The liquid extracted during the cheese production process is loaded with protein and is called whey.

Whey protein is laden with several benefits and is enriched with excellent amino acid profile. It is loaded with 9 essential amino acids that helps in quick recovery post strenuous workout session.

Whey protein is considered a better protein supplement when compared to other protein powder sources because of its high concentration of essential and non-essential amino acids. They are also easily digestible with 100% bioavailability. Along with amino acid profile, Whey proteins are naturally enriched with antioxidants that help you boost your immunity and control infections and diseases.

Read More: What is Whey Protein & How Does it Work?

Types of Whey Protein Available in 2023

There are 3 main kinds of Whey proteins:

Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey Protein Concentrate is the most basic form of Whey. It goes through the least stages of purification and filtration, making this Whey form the most cost effective. It contains 70-80% pure protein but also has fat and lactose content. Whey Concentrate is ideal for beginner-level athletes.

Whey Protein Isolate
Whey Protein Isolate is considered to be the purest form of Whey. It has 90% pure protein and has the least content of fat and lactose, making this Whey form the perfect choice for lactose-intolerant people. It goes through the maximum number of filtration and purification stages. Hence, it’s the most expensive among the three Whey forms.

Know More: What is Whey Protein Isolate?

Whey Protein Hydrolysate
Whey Protein Hydrolysate is an incompletely digested Whey form that has undergone partial hydrolysis. The main advantage of Whey Protein Hydrolysate is that it’s easy on the stomach and gets quickly absorbed in the body for faster recovery.

Whey Protein Benefits

The Main Benefits of Whey protein are –

Great Source of Protein
Whey protein is an excellent source of protein as it contains all the nine essential amino acids. It is easy to digest and gets absorbed quickly in the body so you can include it in your fitness routine.

Builds Lean Muscle Mass
Muscle mass starts to decline with age and you cannot rely solely on your daily diet to get the dose of protein. Hence, including whey protein supplements would be a good idea. It will help replenish the lost protein and nutrients in your body. Ask your trainer to recommend the right kind of workout along with the correct protein for the best results.

Also Read: Mass Gainer vs Whey Protein

Helps in Weight Loss and Weight Management
Contrary to the popular belief that Whey protein causes weight gain, it actually aids in healthy weight loss and weight management. Protein supplements are highly satiating, which helps control your calorie intake and reduce mid-meal snacking (one of the major causes of weight gain).

Also Read: Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss

Reduces Soreness and Fatigue
Muscle soreness and fatigue are the two major obstacles that can prevent you from accomplishing your fitness goals. Consuming Whey protein supplements regularly helps reduce fatigue, tiredness, and muscle soreness, especially after intense workout sessions.

Supports Post-Workout Recovery
Post-workout recovery is extremely important for bodybuilding success. GNC’s Whey protein supplements enriched with the goodness of BCAAs and other amino acids give a massive boost to your post-workout recovery.

Best GNC Whey Protein Supplements

Some of the Best GNC Whey Protein Supplements are –

GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein
One of the top-selling Whey protein supplements in India is the GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein. It has the goodness of all the nine essential amino acids and is enriched with BCAAs. GNC’s 100% Whey is suitable for fitness enthusiasts and athletes of all stages. You can have it during breakfast, post- workout, or in-between meals as a healthy shake.

Each serving of the GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein delivers 24g of muscle-building protein with 11.4g EAAs. It’s available in a variety of delicious flavors – Mango Smoothie, Vanilla Cream, Chocolate Fudge, Creamy Strawberry, Mawa Kulfi, and more. The main benefits are - faster muscle recovery, reduced fatigue & cramps, improved endurance, and more lean muscle gains.

GNC AMP Pure Isolate
Whey Protein Isolate is considered to be the purest form of Whey and GNC AMP Pure Isolate is one of the best Whey Protein Isolate supplements. It’s a micro-filtered Whey Isolate formula that gets quickly absorbed in the body. Each serving delivers 25g of protein, 6g of BCAAs, and 19.6g of muscle-supporting amino acids to speed up the muscle recovery process. It also has 1.7g of Creatine Builders that aid in improving strength, enhancing lean muscle mass, and speeding up recovery.

You can choose between the 3 options – Vanilla Custard with Zero Carbs, Chocolate Frosting with Low Carbs, and Blueberry with Zero Carbs. It mixes instantly, tastes amazing, and contains zero added sugar. You can make a protein shake, add it to various preparations like pancakes, or blend it with yogurt to make a healthy smoothie.

GNC AMP Gold Series 100% Whey Protein Advanced
GNC AMP Gold Series 100% Whey Protein Advanced is enriched with fast-acting Whey Blends – Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, and Whey Protein Hydrolysate. It has lower fat, cholesterol, and sodium content as compared to other Whey protein powders. Each serving provides 24g of supreme-quality protein, 100mg of digestive enzymes with Protease & Lactase to help improve nutrient breakdown, and 5.5g of BCAAs for advanced recovery and better performance. It also has 4g of Glutamic Acid and Glutamine to help maximize muscle recovery.

Know More: Benefits of Combining Whey Protein & Creatine

Best Whey Protein Powder Price List in India

Side Effects of Whey Protein

Excessive consumption of whey protein powder or any other supplement can lead to a few digestive & other health issues as well. Thus, it is important to consume whey protein as mentioned on the product packaging or as directed by your nutritionist or physician. Also, for lactose intolerant individuals, whey protein isolate might be the best option available in the market as whey protein isolate is completely lactose free. Individuals who are on any medication are advised to consult their nutritionist or physician before consuming any whey protein powder.

What is the Composition of Whey Protein Powder?

Cow milk is the supreme source of whey protein powder. Cow milk consists of 2 types of protein - casein and whey. Casein protein is 80% of the cow’s milk protein whereas milk is only 20% of the total protein available. Whey protein goes through various filtration processes as it contains protein, fats, lactose, carbohydrates and much more. Multiple filtration processes are used to obtain whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate & whey protein hydrolysate.

Which is Better Whey Protein Concentrate or Whey Protein Isolate?

Whey is a by-product of cheese and whey protein isolate. To increase the protein content, it undergoes multiple processing steps. Once a sufficient amount of whey protein concentration is achieved, the liquid is dried up to form whey protein concentrate consisting of 80% protein & 20% carbohydrates, fats & lactose.

The processing is continued further to reduce carbohydrates, fats and lactose content, and get whey protein isolate, the purest form of protein, containing more than 90% protein content. So, whey protein isolate is the purest form of protein which can be consumed. Individuals who are lactose intolerant can also consume whey protein isolate.

Not only this, you can take the best protein for weight loss as well along with dieting and extensive training, which ensure that you get all the essential nutrients for your body as well. If you want to use whey protein for weight gain then you would have to consume the best weight gainer supplement as well along with whey protein isolate to achieve the same.

Also, on the pricing front, whey protein isolate is more expensive than whey protein concentrate. But, the quality of protein & protein per serving can help you achieve your goal in a more efficient way.

Following are the key differences between whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate:

When and How to Consume Whey Protein?

You can enjoy GNC whey protein in different ways.

Shake it : Mix it well with cold water, milk, or your favorite beverage in a shaker cup to make a smooth shake.

Blend it : Blend it with your favorite fruits, yogurt, and top it off with seeds and nuts to make a healthy smoothie.

Eat it : Add it to your breakfast and dessert preparations, such as oatmeal, pancakes, and protein bars to get all the goodness of a high-quality protein.

Also Read: Who Should Take Protein Supplements?

Where to Buy Whey Protein Online?

If you’re looking for the best Whey protein supplements, then head straight to the website www.guardian.in.

It is the official website in India for GNC products, and you’ll find 100% original GNC fitness supplements at amazing deals and discounts.

Why Buy Whey Protein Supplements Online from GNC India?

GNC is one of the most popular sports nutrition brands in India and all over the world. As a major player and industry leader in health and wellness supplements, GNC offers its customers with only rich quality products & superior protein formulas. All the whey protein supplements and other protein supplements contain the full amount of protein mentioned on the product label. Also, all the GNC products available are checked for banned substances.

Factors to Consider before Buying Whey Protein Powder

Following are some of the key factors that you should consider before buying a whey protein supplement in India:

• Always check for the nutritional value mentioned on the whey protein powder packaging. The nutritional value will differ depending on the type & brand of whey protein powder. For instance, the nutritional value can differ for whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate and whey protein hydrolysate and can also vary depending on the brand of whey protein you opt for.
• Check the flavour of the whey protein powder and if any additional sweeteners are added to achieve the taste or flavour of the protein. It is always better to avoid any whey protein powder which comes with added artificial sweeteners.
• Look for the authenticity & quality of the brand you are opting for. Always check the magnitude of quality checks followed by the brand to ensure utmost whey protein supplement quality.
• Look for the additional ingredients like BCAAs , creatine , glutamine etc. to reach your fitness goal.
• Last but not the least, always consult your physician before consuming or buying the product, especially if you are already on any medication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Do I really need a Whey protein supplement?
One of the most commonly asked questions is – do I really need a Whey protein supplement? Yes, if you workout regularly and want to improve your athletic performance and stamina, then adding a Whey protein supplement to your routine would be helpful. It’s a misconception that Whey protein is only for athletes, professional fitness experts, or bodybuilders. It works well if you have an active lifestyle and need a proper source to support your daily protein intake. Many times, people don’t pay attention to their post-workout recovery. A good protein supplement helps in sustained recovery and reduces muscle breakdown. GNC Whey protein supplements are enriched with BCAAs to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue after intense workouts.

Q. Does Whey protein cause weight gain?
It is commonly believed that consuming Whey protein supplements may cause weight gain, but this is a myth that holds no evidence. Protein is highly satiating and keeps you feeling full for longer. Having Whey protein shake in-between meals or post workout helps control calorie intake. Mid-meal munching causes a lot of weight gain but with whey protein consumption, you get all the required nutrients with no extra calories or fat. Even for a weight-management diet, you can include Whey protein supplements in your routine.

Q. Can lactose-intolerant or lactose-sensitive people take Whey protein supplements?
Whey Protein Isolate is usually the best Whey protein supplement for people who are lactose intolerant or lactose sensitive, since it has the least lactose content. If given a choice, choose Whey Protein Isolate over Whey Protein. Concentrate or any other protein blend. It’s always best to consult your fitness coach or physician first before including any new supplement in your routine.

Q. Is it safe to take GNC Whey protein supplements everyday?
Yes, it’s completely safe to take GNC Whey protein supplements everyday, especially if your doctor and trainer have recommended them.

Q. What is the best time to consume whey protein?
You can consume whey protein powder anytime during the day. If you are currently involved in training sessions, you should consider consuming whey protein supplements after your rigorous workout session.

Q. Is whey protein good for health?
Whey Protein is one of the purest forms of protein available. Whey protein supplements can help you in healthy muscle growth & muscle repair post strenuous workout sessions.

Q. What is the whey protein powder price in India 1kg?
Whey protein supplements available on GNC India website ranges between ₹ 2,500 and ₹ 4,000 approximately. Pricing of whey protein supplements varies depending on the type of whey protein available.