This is a survey of around 40 popular protein brands in India.
The results are very surprising. Here are a few observations:
- Almost all flavored proteins have chemicals like xantham gum (INS 415), anti-caking agents, anti-foaming agents. So try to go with unflavored protein if possible.
- The only flavored protein that is relatively cleaner is MyProtein, which does not have INS 415.
- NakPro turns out to have the highest protein content at good price according to the survey.
- Whey Isolate is costlier than Whey Hydrolyzed in some brands while cheaper in others. Not sure why.
- Some of the most popular brands turned out to have the worst quality and highest price (per gram of protein).
- Brands are using different scoop sizes, servings per container, protein per scoop, etc which becomes very confusing for consumers.
Tip: The spreadsheet can be sorted by the "quality of protein" column so that you can see the highest quality proteins at the top. (Click on the small triangle near the column title)
Note: The pricing and other product details keep changing, but the above data gives you a broad idea of the landscape.
About Whey Proteins
Whey is the liquid part of milk that is formed during cheese production. The protein obtained from Whey is known as Whey Protein. It is of three types – concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate. There are many brands manufacturing whey protein powders and it can be confusing to choose the best whey protein powder in India. There are a wide range of whey protein supplements in the market today such as MuscleBlaze whey protein, ON Gold Standard whey protein, etc. The whey protein price of each brand differs and so does the scoop size, price per scoop, etc. Some brands manufacture products under different categories like best whey protein powder for men, best whey protein powder for beginners, best whey protein powder for athletes, etc.
Benefits of Taking Whey Protein Powder
- It is a complete protein, so it contains all the essential amino acids needed by the body.
- It is easily digestible compared to other proteins.
- It may help reduce cholesterol levels.
- It may help regulate blood pressure.
- It helps lose weight.
- It helps build muscle mass and reduce fat.
Some Uses of Whey Proteins
- It can be used as a dietary supplement by athletes, bodybuilders, etc.
- It is a good option for people with protein deficiency.
- It can be used by people wanting to lose weight.
Types of Whey Proteins
- Whey Protein Concentrate: It contains 60-85% protein and the remaining part is fats, carbs and lactose. It is the most commonly available and cheapest form of whey protein.
- Whey Protein Isolate: It contains 90% or more protein and has less lactose content compared to concentrate.
- Whey Protein Hydrolysate: This type has been broken down to form smaller chain amino acids. It is in the predigested form and helps speedy absorption. It is said to help with fast muscle recovery.
What to Avoid When Buying Whey Protein Supplements
The best whey protein supplement is the one that doesn’t include chemicals and artificial additives. Some ingredients to avoid while selecting the best Indian whey protein for you are:
- Artificial Flavors: They are known to be very harmful for health and it is better to avoid brands that use them.
- Thickeners and Gums: Xanthum gum (INS 415), anti-foaming and anti-caking agents are best avoided.
- Fillers: They work as fillers and are a cost cutting technique by many companies. They should be avoided.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Ingredients such as Saccharin, Sucralose and NutraSweet are not good for health and are known to create side effects like headaches, digestive issues, etc.
- Refined Sugar: It is best to avoid supplements containing refined sugar as it is said to be harmful to health.