Hydrolyzed Whey Protein

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein: What Is Whey Protein Hydrolysate?

Hydrolyzed whey protein, also known as whey protein hydrolysate or WPH, is a form of whey that undergoes hydrolysis, a process that breaks down part of the protein into smaller peptides.

It belongs to the wider family of whey protein products and can be produced using different raw materials and manufacturing processes. As a result, protein content, lactose levels, nutritional composition and degree of hydrolysis can vary between products.

Hydrolyzed Whey vs Isolate and Concentrate: What's the Difference?

Whey concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate all originate from whey, but differ mainly in how they are processed.

• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC): undergoes filtration while retaining varying amounts of carbohydrates, fat and lactose depending on the product.
• Whey Protein Isolate (WPI): undergoes additional filtration and generally contains a higher percentage of protein and lower amounts of fat and lactose than whey concentrate.
• Whey Protein Hydrolysate (WPH): undergoes hydrolysis, which breaks down part of the protein into smaller peptides.

Hydrolyzed whey is therefore not automatically a better choice than whey concentrate or isolate. The most suitable option depends on the nutritional composition of the individual product, dietary requirements, personal tolerance and budget.

For a broader comparison of the different types of whey, read our Magazine guide on how to choose the right whey protein powder, including whey concentrate, isolate and hydrolyzed whey.

How to Choose Hydrolyzed Whey Protein

When comparing different hydrolyzed whey protein products, check the nutrition information and manufacturer's specifications rather than relying only on terms such as “hydrolyzed” or “WPH”.

Useful factors to compare include:

• protein content per 100 g and per serving;
• overall protein percentage;
• protein source used in the formulation;
• degree of hydrolysis, when specified by the manufacturer;
• carbohydrate, sugar and fat content;
• lactose content, when declared;
• ingredients, flavourings and sweeteners;
• pack size, number of servings and cost per serving.

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein and Muscle Mass

Like other dietary protein sources, hydrolyzed whey provides protein that contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.

For physically active people, total daily protein intake remains an important consideration. Hydrolyzed whey protein can be consumed after training or at other times of the day when adding a convenient source of dietary protein is useful.

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein and Lactose

The term “hydrolyzed” describes the process applied to the protein and does not automatically mean that a product is lactose-free. The actual amount of lactose depends on the protein source and the formulation of the individual product.

Anyone who needs to limit or avoid lactose should check the product label and manufacturer's information. If lower lactose content is a priority, it can also be useful to compare whey protein isolate products.

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein at Body Nutrition

Body Nutrition has been selling supplements online since 2001. In this category you can compare hydrolyzed whey protein products from different brands according to protein content, nutritional composition, ingredients, flavours, pack sizes and price.

To compare the main types of whey, browse our Whey Protein category or explore our complete selection of protein powders.