Whey VS Casein: Difference Between Casein & Whey Protein

Are you a fitness conscious who is regular at the gym? If yes, then you would understand the importance of nourishing your body with the right kind of protein.

You can find several varieties of protein in the market. However, the two protein types that have stood distinguished than the others over the time are – whey and casein.

Both these proteins are made from milk but are quite different with their benefits.

Are you aware of the differences between whey and casein? Would you be interested in knowing?

Here we are exploring the major differences between whey and casein to help our readers choose wisely between these two amazing protein options.

 

Whey Vs Casein Protein

What is whey protein?

In very simple words, whey protein is the mixture of several proteins that are isolated from whey. For all those who are not aware of whey, it is the liquid milk part that is separated during the production of cheese.

Whey is also found in the milk’s watery portion as well. As a matter of fact, whey protein can easily be categorized into 3 different types. Interested in knowing?

Well, these are the different types of whey protein available:

• Whey protein concentrate – can offer 80% of pure whey to its users
• Whey protein isolate – can offer up to 90% of whey protein to its users
• Whey protein hydrolysate – can offer 80-90% of whey protein along with different nutrients

 

What is casein?

Casein protein is also known as a slow-release protein that can be found in cheese and milk. It carries the same amount of amino acid content as that of whey protein but it is absorbed at a different rate by the body and as a result, it releases different benefits.

During the process of milk processing, casein protein is formed as a jelly-like substance. This jelly-like substance when it is converted into protein powder becomes a slow-acting protein which takes time to get digested by the body.

Casein proteins are very effective in muscle recovery and to prevent muscle breakdown.

 

How does whey protein work?

Talking about whey protein, they easily get absorbed by the body to offer its benefits. Whey protein is rapidly digested by the body and release a high amount of amino acid content.

Whey protein makes the best use of this high amino acid content for muscle building scenario by being anabolic in nature. The consumption of whey protein rapidly boosts the levels of blood amino acid and thus accelerates the muscle protein synthesis process.

The high levels of amino acids ensure to kick-start the process and to show expected results without any hassles. This is one of the main reasons for the popularity of the whey protein amongst the users who are concerned about their energetic routine.

By putting it in simple words, whey protein easily gets absorbed by the body and release a high amount of amino acids. This helps the body to get the required push for an intense workout session or to recover completely after the workout session. Whey protein is also considered suitable if you are aiming to gain muscle strength with muscle growth.

 

How does casein work?

Casein, on the other hand, is known to be slowly digested by the body. It takes time to be fully digested or absorbed by the body but offers a number of benefits associated with that as well.

Just like whey protein, casein is also enriched with a good amount of amino acid content which is utilized to the maximum. Being anti-catabolic in nature, casein is popularly known as a muscle-sparing protein amongst its users.

The regular consumption of casein helps in maintaining a steady flow of amino acid to ensure preventing the breakdown of muscle tissues. This helps the user’s body muscles to remain in good shape for the maximum time without any hassles.

Casein protein can be your true companion if you aim to support the full recovery of your body muscles with effective protection over contractions or muscle breakdown. It is, therefore, suitable to take this protein before bedtime to maximize its benefits for the body.

Along with this, this protein type also proves beneficial for those who wish to lose body fat. Since, casein protein takes time to get fully absorbed by the body; it keeps your belly full for the maximum time and thus ensures to avoid over-eating. With its regular intake, you can be sure to reduce your extra kilos with better muscle recovery.

 

When to take whey protein?

If you aim to build muscles, then it makes the most sense to consume whey protein immediately after you are done with your lifting session workout.

As whey protein is popular to be the fastest digesting protein, it can yield you with the best results if it is consumed post the workout session. Another reason to consume whey protein after your workout session is that it gives your muscles the needed aid to get repaired and recovered after the intense workout.

You can get a consultation from your health expert to be sure of the desired amount of whey protein that you need for your body.

 

When to take casein?

There is no hard and fast rule to take casein at some specific time. it can be consumed at any time amongst – before a workout session, before bedtime or even between the meals. At each time, casein yields different benefits, which are as follow:

• Taking casein before a workout – consuming casein a few hours before your workout session ensures the fact that your body gets enough amino acid throughout the training session
• Taking casein before bedtime – with sufficient intake of casein before sleep, you give your body muscles enough time to repair and re-grow
• Taking casein between the meals – thanks to the slow digestion of casein, the users tend to remain full for the maximum time. This is beneficial when you are in need to shed those extra kilos

 

Best time to take whey protein?

According to the health professionals, the best time to consume whey protein is within 1-hour after completing your intense workout session.

This helps your body muscles to get enough and sufficient aid to be recovered. It also helps with the re-growth of your body muscles; helping you with your muscle-building needs.

 

Best time to take casein?

As we all are aware that casein is a slow-digested protein that slowly releases the required amino acids needed by the body.

Considering this, many health experts suggest that the best time to consume casein is just before your bedtime. This ensures that your body gets enough time to repair its muscles along with preventing muscle breakdown.

 

Safety risks of these supplements:

Just like the benefits, there are also some safety risks associated with both these protein supplements. Let us have a look at them:

Safety risks of whey protein:

• Some people may struggle with the effective consumption of whey protein
• Some may feel some uneasiness and related symptoms such as –
• Bloating
• Gas
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea

However, all these symptoms are felt with the over-consumption of whey protein. If the protein is taken in the required quantity, there aren’t any side effects as such, unless some severe health condition.

Safety risks of casein:

Mostly, casein is considered very safe for human consumption and it very rarely causes any health risk to its users. However, with its over-consumption, some people may feel some symptoms which are as follow:

• Bloating
• Uneasiness and nausea
• Digestion problem

These symptoms may vary from person-to-person and also can be treated easily without causing any severe damage to the users.

 

Mixing Both Whey and Casein:

If you are thinking of mixing both whey and casein together but are having some second thoughts, then you should certainly move ahead.

Yes, you can mix both whey and casein protein together for giving your body an immense pool of amino acid to get maximum benefits. Moreover, you may be amazed to know that some protein powders are already a mixture of these two effective protein supplements.

Mixing the two protein powder together also ensures better and smooth muscle recovery with enough amount of relaxation. Besides this, the mixture of both these protein powder helps in the re-growth of body muscles along with preventing causing any damages or contractions to the muscles.

 

Overall – which one is better?

Now, to end the dilemma and to conclude the most awaited discussion related to whey vs casein, here are some of the points that can be helpful.

• Casein and whey both are derived from milk and thus are expected to be the same in many ways which they surely are. However, they differ in their digestion time – casein being slowly digested is considered suitable before bedtime. On the other hand, whey protein with its faster digestion properties is considered suitable for workout sessions and growth of the muscles.
• Other than this, both these types of protein contain different types of bioactive compounds that can easily and suitably boost your immune system and metabolism along with offering different other benefits to improve the overall health and physique of the users.
• If you are looking for a protein type for building muscles with maximum strength and endurance, then you can rely on whey protein. It can be taken either as a post-workout supplement or as a pre-workout supplement.

On the other hand, casein protein would make a better option to suit muscle recovery and reducing the risks of muscle contractions and breakdown with suitable growth.

• No protein type, amidst whey and casein, is better or less than the other. Both are pretty amazing in their own characteristics and benefits. The only need is to pick the one that suits your body’s needs and requirements with maximum ease and convenience.

Well, we hope, all these points will be extremely beneficial to pick the most suitable protein type amongst these two amazing possible options. Be sure of your requirements with the right information and you are all sorted.

In case, you still have doubts related to which one better amongst whey vs casein, then please comment below. We assure you to offer the best assistance and details that you are looking for to make a decision.