Whey Protein

Whey protein is one of the two high-quality proteins derived from cow’s milk (casein being the other). Its high digestibility, quick absorption, and well-researched benefits for muscle gain and cardiometabolic health make it a popular protein supplement among athletes and older adults.

Quick Answer

What it is

Whey protein is one of the two high-quality proteins derived from cow’s milk (casein being the other). Its high digestibility, quick absorption, and well-researched benefits for muscle gain and cardiometabolic health make it a popular protein supplement among athletes and older adults.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Blood glucose (Type 2 Diabetes)
  • Grade C: Body Fat (Body Composition)
  • Grade C: Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile (Metabolic Health)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Whey Protein

Quick Facts: Whey Protein

  • Best Evidence:Grade B
  • Conditions Studied:25
  • Research Outcomes:197
  • Grade B Findings:5
  • Key Effect:Obesity
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B5
C12
D6
25 conditions · 197 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Blood glucose
Mixed effect
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Total cholesterol
20 studies
Improves
?
Triglycerides
20 studies
Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
19 studies
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
?
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)
3 studies
Improves
B
Blood glucose
Mixed effect
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Total cholesterol
20 studies
Improves
?
Triglycerides
20 studies
Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
19 studies
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
?
Body Fat
Improves
?
Glycemic Control
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
B
Blood glucose
Mixed effect
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Total cholesterol
20 studies
Improves
?
Triglycerides
20 studies
Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
19 studies
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
B
Blood glucose
Mixed effect
?
Total cholesterol
22 studies
Improves
?
Triglycerides
22 studies
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
19 studies
Improves
?
Waist circumference
18 studies
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
13 studies
Improves
?
HbA1c
6 studies
Improves
?
Total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio
3 studies
Worsens
B
Blood glucose
Mixed effect
?
Triglycerides
27 studies
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Waist circumference
18 studies
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Body Fat
Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
1 study
Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
smallImproves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Muscle Mass
Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
1 study
Improves
?
Bone Mineral Density
Improves
?
Power Output
1 study
Improves
?
Waist circumference
1 study
Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
smallImproves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Muscle Mass
Improves
?
Muscle protein synthesis (MPS)
Improves
?
Strength
Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
smallImproves
D
Blood Flow
No effect
1 study
none
?
Total cholesterol
22 studies
Improves
?
Triglycerides
22 studies
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Blood glucose
Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
19 studies
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
13 studies
Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
12 studies
Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Improves
?
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)
9 studies
Improves
?
Interleukin 6
Improves
?
HbA1c
6 studies
Improves
?
Gastric Emptying Rate
5 studies
Worsens
?
Total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio
3 studies
Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Body Fat
Improves
?
Glycemic Control
Improves
?
Inflammation
Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
smallImproves
?
Muscle Mass
Improves
?
Strength
Improves
?
Body Fat
Improves
?
Heart Rate
3 studies
Improves
?
Peak power output (PPO)
3 studies
Improves
?
Power Output
3 studies
Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
3 studies
Improves
?
Muscle protein synthesis (MPS)
Improves
?
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
2 studies
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Bone Mineral Density
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
IGF-1
1 study
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
smallImproves
?
Muscle Mass
Improves
?
Body Fat
Improves
?
Power Output
3 studies
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Muscle protein synthesis (MPS)
Improves
?
Blood glucose
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Bone Mineral Density
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
IGF-1
1 study
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
smallImproves
?
Triglycerides
27 studies
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Waist circumference
18 studies
Improves
?
Blood glucose
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Body Fat
Improves
?
Blood Flow
1 study
Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
1 study
Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Improves
?
Glycemic Control
Improves
?
Inflammation
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
Improves
C
Appetite
Small Decrease
smallImproves
?
Weight
Improves
?
Body Fat
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
?
Blood glucose
Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
1 study
Improves
?
Ghrelin
1 study
Improves
?
Glycemic Control
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
Improves
?
Waist circumference
1 study
Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
smallImproves
?
Blood Pressure
Improves
?
Arterial Stiffness
7 studies
Improves
?
Vascular Function
Improves
?
Nitric Oxide
5 studies
Improves
?
Blood Flow
1 study
Improves
?
Blood glucose
Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
Inflammation
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
smallImproves
?
Strength
Improves
?
Muscle Mass
Improves
?
Functionality in Elderly or Injured
1 study
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
C
Blood glucose
Mixed effect
?
Glycemic Control
Improves
?
Liver Fat
1 study
Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
smallImproves
?
Glycemic Control
Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study
Worsens
?
Liver Fat
1 study
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
smallImproves
?
Muscle Mass
Improves
?
Strength
Improves
?
Body Fat
Worsens
?
Heart Rate
3 studies
Worsens
?
Peak power output (PPO)
3 studies
Improves
?
Power Output
3 studies
Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
3 studies
Improves
?
Muscle protein synthesis (MPS)
Improves
?
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
2 studies
Improves
?
Weight
Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
Worsens
?
Bone Mineral Density
Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Improves
?
IGF-1
1 study
Improves
?
Insulin
Worsens
D
Arterial Stiffness
No effect
7 studies
none
?
Vascular Function
Improves
?
Nitric Oxide
5 studies
Improves
D
Heart Rate
No effect
3 studies
none
?
Peak power output (PPO)
3 studies
Improves
?
Power Output
3 studies
Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
3 studies
Improves
?
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
2 studies
Improves
?
Weight
Improves
D
Length of hospitalization
No effect
none
?
Strength
Improves
D
Functionality in Elderly or Injured
No effect
1 study
none
?
Strength
Improves
?
Muscle Mass
Improves
D
Length of hospitalization
No effect
none
?
Strength
Improves
?
Appetite
Worsens
?
Bone Mineral Density
Improves
?
Bone Mineral Density
Improves
?
Intestinal Permeability
1 study
Improves
?
Length of hospitalization
Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

BObesity
1
Blood glucoseTriglyceridesImprovesHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
BType 2 Diabetes
1
Blood glucoseHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL)ImprovesTotal cholesterolImproves
BMetabolic Syndrome
1
Blood glucoseTotal cholesterolImprovesTriglyceridesImproves
BHigh Cholesterol
1
Blood glucoseHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL)ImprovesTotal cholesterolImproves
BHigh Blood Pressure
1
Blood glucoseHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL)ImprovesTotal cholesterolImproves
CMetabolic Health
1
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImprovesBlood FlowTotal cholesterolImproves
CGeneral Athletic Performance
1
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImprovesMuscle MassImprovesBody FatImproves
COverweight
1
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImprovesTriglyceridesImprovesHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves
CWeight Loss & Maintenance
1
AppetiteImprovesWeightImprovesBody FatImproves
CBody Composition
1
Body FatImprovesWeightImprovesMuscle MassImproves
CHealthy Muscle Aging
1
Body FatImprovesWeightImprovesMuscle MassImproves
CSarcopenia
1
Body FatImprovesStrengthImprovesMuscle MassImproves
CGeneral Liver Health
1
Blood glucoseGlycemic ControlImprovesLiver FatImproves
CNonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
1
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImprovesGlycemic ControlImprovesLiver EnzymesWorsens
CMuscle Size & Strength
1
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImprovesMuscle MassImprovesStrengthImproves
DAerobic Exercise Performance
1
Heart RatePeak power output (PPO)ImprovesPower OutputImproves
DGeneral Cancer Care and Prevention
1
Length of hospitalizationStrengthImproves
DCardiovascular Disease
1
Arterial StiffnessVascular FunctionImprovesNitric OxideImproves
DFrailty
1
Functionality in Elderly or InjuredStrengthImprovesMuscle MassImproves
DSurgical Recovery
1
Length of hospitalizationStrengthImproves

Research Citations (38)

Effects of high-quality protein supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with metabolic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PMID: 38924998
Glutamine and whey protein improve intestinal permeability and morphology in patients with Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled trial
PMID: 22038507
The effect of milk proteins on appetite regulation and diet-induced thermogenesis
PMID: 22274550
The effects of protein and amino acid supplementation on performance and training adaptations during ten weeks of resistance training
PMID: 16937979
Effect of protein-supplement timing on strength, power, and body-composition changes in resistance-trained men
PMID: 19478342
Effect of whey protein supplementation on weight and body composition indicators: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
PMID: 35871954
Whey Protein Before and During Resistance Exercise Has No Effect on Muscle Mass and Strength in Untrained Young Adults
PMID: 22806076
The effect of resistance training combined with timed ingestion of protein on muscle fiber size and muscle strength
PMID: 15690307
Changes in antioxidant status and cardiovascular risk factors of overweight young men after six weeks supplementation of whey protein isolate and resistance training
PMID: 22889987
Whey and casein labeled with L-1-13Cleucine and muscle protein synthesis: effect of resistance exercise and protein ingestion
PMID: 21045172

Related Supplements

L-Carnitine

19 shared conditions · 558 outcomes

L-carnitine can relieve leg pain in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and treat some aspects of metabolic syndrome. Although it’s often also used for fat loss, its effectiveness for that is questionable.

Vitamin D

17 shared conditions · 308 outcomes

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun. It benefits us in many ways, from bone health to mood.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

17 shared conditions · 189 outcomes

CLAs are fatty acids that acts on a system known as PPAR to induce fat loss. At least, that is what the theory says. CLA too weakly affects PPAR receptors to really induce fat loss in an appreciable amount. TTA appears more promising.

Fish Oil

16 shared conditions · 448 outcomes

Fish oil is a mix of mostly EPA and DHA derived from fatty fish. It reduces triglycerides, but does not seem to affect the rate of cardiovascular events. It appears to reduce the symptoms of depression and improve some painful, inflammatory conditions.

Curcumin

16 shared conditions · 502 outcomes

Curcumin is the primary bioactive substance in turmeric. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate symptoms of depression as well as improve pain and function in people with osteoarthritis.

Spirulina

15 shared conditions · 304 outcomes

Spirulina, commonly known as “blue-green algae”, is a nontoxic cyanobacterium that is rich in various nutrients and bioactive pigments and polyphenols. Spirulina contains many antioxidant compounds and could have beneficial cardiometabolic effects.

Creatine

15 shared conditions · 433 outcomes

Creatine is among the most well-studied and effective supplements for improving exercise performance. It does this mainly by increasing energy availability during high-intensity activity. Creatine may also provide cognitive and mental health benefits in some contexts.

Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng)

14 shared conditions · 228 outcomes

Panax ginseng is commonly referred to as “Korean ginseng”. It appears to be effective for mood, immunity, and cognition, but is subpar for erectile function, testosterone, and exercise performance.