Protein powder comes from different sources, including milk, plants, and eggs. It goes through a series of steps to become protein powder.

Protein powder is a popular supplement some people use to help build muscle, support exercise recovery, and improve overall health.

Understanding how protein powder is made can help you choose the right type for your needs. You can also speak with your doctor for more information about protein powder.

Learn how protein powders are made, from extracting protein to adding ingredients for taste and nutrition.

Whey protein powder is a popular supplement made from whey, the liquid left over after cheese production.

It is a complete protein. This means it contains all nine essential amino acids that your body needs.

The process of making whey protein powder involves several steps to separate, purify, and dry the whey, ensuring a high protein final product.

The steps for making whey protein powder are as follows:

  1. Milk testing and pasteurization: There are tests to assess the quality of fresh milk and then pasteurize it to kill harmful bacteria.
  2. Separation of curds and whey: This involves adding bacterial cultures and rennet to separate solid curds from liquid whey.
  3. Whey draining and pasteurization: After draining the liquid whey from the curds, the next step is to pasteurize them and then send them to a processing facility.
  4. Filtration: Filtration involves removing unwanted fats, lactose, and other substances to increase protein concentration.
  5. Evaporation and crystallization: This step involves removing more liquid, and tiny lactose crystals form to prevent moisture absorption.
  6. Spray drying: By removing any remaining water, the whey turns into a fine powder.
  7. Flavoring and packaging: Manufacturers may leave the final product unflavored or mix it with flavors and sweeteners before packaging it and selling it for use in protein shakes, baked goods, and other foods.

Plant-based protein powder is a dietary supplement from plant sources such as peas, soy, rice, or hemp. It provides protein for people who prefer a plant-based diet or have milk allergies.

The process of making plant-based protein powder involves harvesting, processing, and refining plant ingredients to create a high protein powder.

The steps for making plant-based protein powder involve:

  • Harvesting and cleaning: This step involves harvesting protein-rich plants like peas, soybeans, or rice, and cleaning them to remove dirt and unwanted materials.
  • Grinding and separation: After grinding the plants into a fine meal, the protein separates from fiber, starch, and fats using water or enzymes.
  • Filtration and concentration: Filtering and concentrating the protein helps remove excess water and improve purity.
  • Drying: This involves spray-drying the concentrated protein to remove any remaining moisture, turning it into a fine powder.
  • Flavoring and packaging: Some powders include flavors or are mixed with other ingredients. The manufacturers then package and sell them.

In addition to protein sources like whey, casein, soy, pea, or rice protein, many protein powders contain additional ingredients to improve texture, flavor, nutrition, and shelf life. Some other ingredients include:

  • sugars
  • artificial flavorings
  • vitamins
  • minerals
  • thickeners

Some protein powders also include branched-chain amino acids or creatine for muscle recovery and performance.

Protein powders can contain potential allergens, depending on their ingredients.

For example, some people may have an allergic reaction to pea-based protein.

Whey proteins are the main allergens in milk, so anybody allergic to milk will likely be allergic to whey protein powder.

It’s important to read the labels on any protein powder packaging before you consume the product. If you have any known allergens, speak with a doctor or registered dietitian for advice on protein powders that may be suitable.

Are there heavy metals in protein powders?

Some protein powders may contain small amounts of heavy metals, such as:

  • arsenic
  • cadmium
  • mercury
  • lead

Plant-based powders generally contain higher levels of heavy metals than animal-based ones. However, studies suggest these amounts are generally too low to pose a health risk.

Manufacturers make protein powders by extracting protein from sources like milk, soy, and peas.

Ingredients such as flavors, sweeteners, and thickeners can improve taste or texture. Some powders also include vitamins, minerals, or muscle-recovery ingredients.

Make sure to read the ingredients on the packaging before consuming protein powders, particularly if you have any known allergies. Your doctor can provide more information about protein powders and what type might be best for you.