Where is the Protein in Whey?
Q. In a recent tip, you explained that whey is mostly water and that it is low in protein. How, then, do they produce whey protein powders that are so high in protein?
Answer. Liquid whey is about 93% water by weight, 5% milk sugar, 1% protein, and half a percent each of fat and minerals. To make whey protein powder, liquid whey is filtered to remove most or all of the fat and milk sugars. It’s then dehydrated to remove the water, leaving just the protein. Depending on how pure the protein powder is, it might take 11 gallons of liquid whey to produce a one-pound can of whey protein powder. But seeing as whey is a by-product of cheese-making, there seems to be no shortage. Nice that it doesn’t get thrown away!
Whey image courtesy of Shutterstock
About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.
