Properties of whey
Nutritional value and composition | Vitamins | Minerals
How much does whey cost (average price for 1 liter)?
Moscow and Moscow region.
60 rub.
It is known that whey is obtained in the process of making cottage cheese. This happens as follows: when sour milk is heated, curdling occurs, as a result of which the mass is divided into two parts - the cottage cheese itself and the whey. Cottage cheese is used for its intended purpose - in nutrition, while whey is used in many cases.
As a rule, the main way to use whey is to use it as an independent product, but it often acts as a natural substitute for all kinds of cosmetics. But still, the use in cooking is at the forefront. So, on its basis you can prepare excellent tasty and medicinal drinks - just mix whey with vegetable or fruit juice. Double healing effects can be achieved by preparing a cocktail of whey and a decoction of medicinal herbs.
It is quite difficult to give children this healthy product, so making a delicious jelly from whey is considered an excellent solution in this situation. It is unlikely that kids will refuse such a dessert if it contains berries or fruits. This dish will not only refresh and give you a boost of energy, but will also enrich your small body with a large amount of vitamins and minerals - this indicates the considerable beneficial properties of whey.
Types of Whey Protein
Whey proteins, based on protein content and the degree of separation from non-protein substances (lactose, mineral compounds and others), are divided into 3 main groups, described below.
There is also a fourth type - native proteins, which are obtained from whole skim milk. They are not a by-product of cheese production when lactic acid bacteria and enzymes are added to the raw material.
Whey protein isolate
Isolates contain 90% or more whey protein (by weight). When they are produced, fat and lactose are removed, so they can be consumed by people diagnosed with lactase enzyme deficiency.
Thanks to finer purification (microfiltration, ion exchange), they are less allergenic compared to concentrates and other types of proteins. Isolates have a mild, slightly milky taste. They are used in the food industry as an additive in dairy, meat, confectionery, bakery and fat-and-oil products.
Whey Protein Concentrate
Concentrates contain lower amounts of whey proteins - from 25% to 80%. The lactose level is 30-90% by weight of the entire protein fraction. There is also a small amount of fat (about 10%) and cholesterol.
Dry powder is obtained by ultrafiltration and drying of cheese whey. In addition to sports nutrition, concentrates are used in dairy drinks to enrich products with an easily digestible form of protein. They have a specific whey taste.
Whey protein hydrolysates
Hydrolysates are produced using additional enzymatic treatment (enzymatic hydrolysis) or exposure to acids and alkalis (chemical hydrolysis). The result is proteins with a shorter molecular chain.
This allows you to increase their digestibility in the body and reduce allergenicity. They are available for people with gastrointestinal diseases that make it impossible to digest regular proteins.
Biologically active peptides in their composition also have an immunostimulating and antimicrobial effect. Hydrolysates have an almost neutral taste and are used in the production of medical nutrition and infant formula. The lactose content in them is about 3%, and the fat content is 8%.
Whey composition
It has been proven that whey contains proteins, which include essential amino acids that cannot be produced independently by the body. Therefore, the only possible way for them to enter the body is through food.
In addition, the composition of whey is rich in minerals, along with a number of vital vitamins. These are potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, vitamins PP, E, C, H and group B. It also contains choline, biotin and nicotinic acid.
Properties of whey and whey protein
The main benefit of whey protein is that it helps replenish protein and BCAA amino acids , which are key to your fitness goals. At the same time, whey protein is a complex protein source, meaning that it contains all 9 essential amino acids that the body cannot produce itself and can only obtain from food. All you need is one serving of whey protein and you will enrich your body with all 9 essential amino acids at once.
Whey is a particularly rich source of BCAA - amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine and valine , which help build and maintain muscle mass and can provide energy for long or intense workouts. Find out more about the benefits of BCAA here. Additionally, whey protein can improve performance and strength and help with weight loss . [11] [12] [13]
Whey also has many benefits for human health . Many studies confirm that whey can potentially reduce the risk of cancer, strengthen the immune system , reduce inflammation , and improve liver function in those suffering from any form of hepatitis . Whey protein also lowers blood pressure , strengthens the immune system in patients with HIV , and also helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it increases levels of glutathione , the main antioxidant in cells. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]
Benefits of whey
Thanks to its composition, whey literally works wonders. With regular use of this healing product, heavy metal salts, impurities, toxins, as well as excess fluid are removed from the body. The benefits of whey are obvious, because it is a source of natural proteins. These substances have low nutritional value, which determines the incredibly low calorie content of whey.
Experts say that consuming whey and drinks made from it helps maintain a positive emotional state, as well as replenish vitamin deficiency if the intake of nutrients into the human body is too low. In other words, the benefit of whey also lies in the fact that it can partially replace fresh fruits and vegetables.
Best Whey Proteins
Whey dietary supplements for sports nutrition are practically not produced at Russian enterprises, but are imported from abroad. The highest quality and most popular of them are those described in the table below (in descending order).
| Name, type, manufacturer | Ingredients in 1 scoop | Package | Mode of application | Average price, rub. |
| Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, concentrate, USA | Protein – 24 g, fats – 1 g (of which saturated – 0.5 g), cholesterol – 30 mg, carbohydrates – 3 g (of which sugars – 1 g), sodium – 50 g. As additional additives – aminogen enzyme , which improves the breakdown of proteins; lactase, flavorings. | Plastic jars of 900 g, 1 kg, 1.5 kg, 2.2 kg, bags of 30 g, 450 g, 3.6 kg, 4.5 kg (for 155 servings), 29 g measuring spoon included | Dissolve 1 spoon in 170-225 ml of water, milk or other drink | 1700 |
| SAN Platinum Isolate Supreme, isolate | Proteins – 27 g (93% isolate). As additional components: molasses, flavorings, silica, sucralose sweetener. | Plastic jar 900 g, 2.25 kg | 1-2 spoons for the same amount of water as for the previous product | 2600 (900 g) |
| Dymatize ISO-100, isolate | Proteins – 25 g, carbohydrates – 1 g, lysophosphatidylcholine enzyme, CMC thickener, xanthan stabilizer, potassium chloride, flavors, sucralose sweetener, milk, soy. | Plastic jar 740 g, 1, 36 kg, 1.4 kg, 2.28 kg, | Dissolve 1 spoon in 150-180 ml of water, milk or juice | 4000 (2.28 kg) |
| Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey, hydrolyzate | Proteins – 30 g, fats – 1 g, carbohydrates – 2 g, flavorings | Plastic jar 454 g, 795 g, 1.59 kg, contains 39 g measuring spoon | Dissolve 1 scoop in 350 ml of water, milk or other drink | 4000 (1.59 kg) |
| Ultimate Nutrition Prostar 100% Whey Protein, concentrate | Proteins – 25 g, fats – 1 g, carbohydrates – 2 g, flavorings, sodium chloride, emulsifier soy lecithin, sweeteners sucrolose and acesulfame potassium, coloring. | Plastic jar 30 g, 454 g, 900 g, 2.39 kg, 4.54 kg, 30 g measuring spoon included | Dissolve 1 measuring spoon in 150-300 ml of drink | 2500 (2.39 kg) |
| SynTrax Nectar, isolate | Proteins – 6 g, acidity regulator citric acid, molasses flavorings, stabilizer gum arabic, soy lecithin, sweeteners acesulfame potassium and sucralose, dyes. | Plastic jar 454 g, 908 g, 963 g, 989 g, 1.13 kg, | Dissolve ¼ measuring spoon in 120 ml of water or milk | 2000 (908 g) |
How to do it yourself
Making whey at home is not at all difficult.
This requires only natural milk, which must be kept at room temperature until curdled milk is obtained.
If you want to save time, I advise you to make whey from kefir. It is better to choose a product with a fat content of 2.5% or 3.2%.
The sour liquid should be boiled or poured into a multicooker for half an hour in the Porridge mode, then it should be cooled and filtered using gauze or a strainer.
Detailed video recipe.
Important: the shelf life of dairy products is short, only 5-7 days. It is better to store it in glass jars in the refrigerator.
Benefits for children
Whey is needed by the child's body in the same way as regular whole milk. It provides babies with the vitamins necessary for growth and development, improves digestion, improves heart function and stabilizes the nervous system.
Important! The recommended fluid intake for children is about 300 ml per day. Don't forget to consult your pediatrician and make sure your child doesn't have allergies before introducing it into your baby's diet.
If your child doesn’t like the natural taste of the product, try making jelly or cocktails with berries based on it.
Serum in cosmetology
The unique properties of the serum are not spared in the cosmetic area, so it is used externally for:
- eliminating freckles;
- cleaning the epidermis of the face;
- strengthening hair shafts;
- improving the growth and appearance of eyelashes and eyebrows;
- eliminating corns and calluses on the feet.
Application on the face and hair is presented in the following subsections, on eyelashes and legs - in the table:
| Region | How to use | Result |
| Eyelashes, eyebrows | Topical application of serum to the area + drinking the drink orally | Strengthening, growth |
| Feet | A warm solution of whey and water, prepared in a 1:1 ratio, is placed in a basin and the legs are immersed there. | Removing calluses and corns |
You should not expect results from homemade masks, scrubs and other products the very next day - they provide long-term results that are visible after four to eight weeks of regular use. For cosmetic purposes, it is better to use homemade whey from homemade milk.
