Hemp Vs. Whey Protein: Which Is Best For You?

If you’re looking for ways to supplement your dietary protein, whey has been the obvious protein powder choice for the longest time. Nevertheless, people looking for dairy-free, plant-based alternatives have pushed the supplement industry to offer vegan-friendly options.

Here comes hemp’s rise in popularity! It’s available in CBD tinctures that you can mix into your drinks. If you’re lactose intolerant, you can have your hemp protein shake without running to the bathroom all day. For high-quality CBD products to boost your lifestyle, shop online at Époque.

Hemp and whey protein powders have some other fundamental differences. So, let’s dig deeper into how the two compare in terms of health benefits, nutritional value, and muscle gains to help you make an informed purchase decision when shopping for supplements.

Hemp vs. Whey Protein: Sources

Hemp Protein

Vegans could still hit their daily protein requirements by adding hemp powder to their diet, as it’s 100% plant-based. The powder consists of hemp seed oil extract, a rich methionine and arginine amino acid source.

However, hemp seed oil doesn’t have any of the intoxicating effects of cannabis, so it’s safe to use. Besides protein, hemp extract is a source of antioxidants, fibers, and unsaturated fatty acids, accounting for its various health benefits.

Whey Protein

Whey protein is a byproduct of milk coagulation that goes through extensive purification to remove excess carbohydrates and fats.

When shopping for whey protein powder, you’ll notice some products labeled whey concentrate, whey isolate, or hydrolyzed whey. Each comes with a different protein concentration, lactose content, and absorption rate.

For instance, whey concentrate refers to supplements where protein represents 25 to 89% of the total weight. On the other hand, whey isolate has less overall calories, fat, and lactose content, making it the preferred choice for people with mild lactose intolerance.

Hydrolyzed whey is the highest quality option of the bunch. The bonds holding the amino acids together are broken by heat or specific enzymes, producing a purified protein that comes with no fat, carbs, or lactose content.

Hemp vs. Whey Protein: Processing

Hemp Protein

The process of obtaining hemp protein is more complex compared to whey extraction. It starts by pressing the hemp seeds and extracting the oily fluid produced. 

The next step is applying specific enzymes to remove starch, pigments, and other components from the mix. At this stage, you’re basically getting rid of any non-protein component in the hemp seed extract.

Finally, isoelectric precipitation is added to get the highest protein concentration. Now you have the hemp protein powder that goes into vegan supplements! 

Whey Protein

Think of whey protein processing as a more sophisticated version of manufacturing cheese. It starts by pasteurizing milk and separating whey from the other milk protein, casein. 

Then, different techniques are used to remove as much carbohydrates and fat as possible and create the purest protein extract.

The resulting whey is dried to produce a powder rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs.)

Hemp vs. Whey Protein: Key Differences

Amino Acid Content

Compared to the amino acid profile of whey, hemp protein is behind. It lacks some essential amino acids like tryptophan and lysine. Also, the leucine content is low, taking away three of the nine essential amino acids your body needs.

Besides being rich in essential amino acids, whey protein is the undisputed champ when it comes to the variety of BCAAs. 

It has tyrosine, which is essential for producing brain neurotransmitters and boosting your neuro-muscular coordination. Whey also has glutamate, which regulates your memory, concentration, and cognition.

Protein Content

The purest preparations of hemp powder achieve a protein concentration of up to 50%, while hydrolyzed whey can offer a whopping 99% of its weight in protein.

When it comes to the absorption rate, whey is easily digestible and absorbable. This allows the muscles to pull from a rich pool of nutrients and achieve better growth.

Calories

As a rule of thumb, pure whey formulas come with almost no fat or carbohydrate content, reducing the caloric intake of the scoop. This makes whey the easier choice for athletes aiming to burn fat and build their muscle bulk in the process.

On the other hand, a scoop of hemp powder contains around 90 calories compared to the 60 calories in a similar scoop of whey. 

Also, the fat content in hemp is much higher, requiring tight dietary modulation when using hemp as your source of protein to ensure you’re not putting on unintended weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Advantages of Hemp Protein Over Whey?

Hemp protein powder is vegan-friendly, allowing more athletes to achieve their fitness goals. It’s also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and offers a rich supply of iron.

What Are the Advantages of Whey Protein Over Hemp?

Whey comes with higher calcium, BCAAs, and leucine content. It blends perfectly with milk and offers a rich taste. Also, whey is the more affordable option of the two compared to the amount of protein you get for the price you pay.

Does Any of the Two Protein Supplements Offer Fibers?

Yes, a scoop of hemp protein powder provides around 3 to 8 grams of fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements. The same can’t be said about whey protein, as it lacks dietary fibers.

Wrapping Up

Now that you understand the main differences between hemp and whey protein, you can confidently pick the protein supplement that suits your dietary habits. Tell us which protein powder you’ve settled for in the comments below and how it’s helping up your gains!
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