Bone Broth Protein vs Whey Isolate – Which is Better for Muscle?

bone broth protein vs whey isolate

Athletes and fitness freaks looking for a comparative analysis of bone broth protein vs whey isolate will find today’s blog informative.

Since both of them can deliver a good amount of protein, considering which among them is best will be a bit confusing.

Undoubtedly, both of them are animal-based proteins which is not recommended for people on a vegan diet.

However, considering a basic comparison of Bone Broth vs Whey Protein, we can say whey protein isolate can be a suitable option for vegetarian people who are okay with consuming dairy products.

Well, there are more aspects to both of these protein sources to find out the pros and cons of both.

Dig deeper to get a closer overview of both bone broth and whey protein and their own unique set of nutrients and potential health benefits.

Key Insights:

  • Bone broth and whey protein isolate are potent sources of protein and deliver some bodybuilding benefits.
  • Comparing Bone Broth vs Whey Protein nutritional profile, amino acid profile, digestibility and absorption, and unique health benefits are also important.
  • Consuming both of them doesn’t give you additional benefits and may increase protein availability in the body.
  • The comparative reviews of bone broth or whey protein isolate exhibit the needed facts that one should consider before incorporating into their diet plan.

Check out the whole comparison of these two before you choose to buy either one.

 

Bone Broth Protein vs Whey Isolate

Bone broth and whey isolate are two different types of protein supplements that are popular in the fitness and wellness communities.

Although these are good protein sources for bodybuilding, there’s nothing common between these two sources. Well, here we’ve listed some of the common factors that differentiate bone broth protein vs whey isolate.

#1. Key Difference

Bone broth is a natural protein source made by simmering animal bones, bone marrow, and connective tissue. It has been getting a lot of buzz in the bodybuilding industry for its unparalleled benefits. Also, the nutrient content of bone broth mainly depends on the ingredients used in it.

Whey isolate is also a protein source that is created in the process of cheese making. It is mainly the byproduct filtered in a process to help remove the lactose in the powder itself. It generally has less fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and calories as compared to others.

#2. Nutritional Profile

While comparing the nutritional profile of bone broth with other protein sources, bone broth may have some things in its favor. It is rich in micronutrients and other essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Cobalamin, iron, zinc, selenium, and manganese. It has some of the vitamins that are important for muscle growth and repair.

Apart from this, they are rich in sodium content as well. Studies have shown that a total of 100g of bone broth has 23,875 mg of sodium.

Compared to this, whey isolate does not have any such macronutrients but has fewer calories. Studies have shown that 100 grams of whey isolate protein typically combines approximately  81.1 grams of protein, 5.4 grams of carbs, and 2.7 grams of fat. The remaining 4.5 – 6% of whey protein isolate is mainly ash.

Users also look for queries like “Is bone broth protein a complete protein”. Well, bone broth contains various nutrients that may support overall health, but the protein content might be lower when compared to whey protein.

#3. Amino Acid Profile

Undoubtedly, Bone Broth Powder boasts an impressive amino acid profile. The natural amino acids it has include Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs): Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine as well as arginine, glutamate, hydroxyproline, proline, alanine, and glycine.

The amino acid profile of whey isolate protein wins here as it contains almost all the essential amino acids. It is rich in several essential amino acids which are needed as the building block of protein. The major amino acids of whey are glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, lysine, leucine, and phenylalanine.

#4. Unique Health Benefits

Bone broth has anti-inflammatory properties, and studies have shown that taking it after a strenuous exercise session helps in recovery. The natural source reduces inflammation, ensuring faster muscle building.

Furthermore, bone broth can also be praised for its potential to support joint health due to its collagen content. It’s also considered beneficial for digestive health because of its gelatin content.

Comparatively, whey protein also has muscle-building benefits. Being rich in protein content, it helps muscles grow. It’s quickly absorbed by the body, making it ideal for post-workout recovery.

Additionally, having plenty of amino acids ensures early recovery and also supports muscle pumps while training. All in all, both whey isolate and bone broth can be beneficial and have health benefits.

#5. Digestibility and Absorption

Bone broth, although nutritious, might not be easy for everyone to digest due to its gelatinous consistency and potentially longer breakdown process.

Also, the absorption rate of bone broth might be lower as compared to whey protein.

Basically, whey protein is easier to digest due to its high solubility. It’s broken down quickly into amino acids, facilitating faster absorption in the gut. However, it comes from milk, so it might not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. Bone broth may be a better alternative in such cases.

#6. Safety 

When it comes to side effects, both bone broth and whey protein can cause issues for individuals with specific sensitivities or allergies.

However, bone broth has too much sodium which may cause heart palpitations. Plus, it is created with bone, so people who are allergic to animal-derived products may want to avoid it.

Moreover, people sensitive to histamine may find bone broth problematic.

Evidently, there are some bone broth protein powder pros and cons that one should consider before buying it.

On the other hand, whey protein can cause allergy in lactose-intolerant people, or those allergic to dairy might react poorly to whey protein.

Additionally, consuming excessively high amounts of protein from either source without proper hydration may stress the kidneys.

#7. Cost and Affordability

When comparing bone broth and whey isolate in terms of cost and affordability, bone broth is a bit more expensive than whey isolate.

Plus, whey isolate is primarily used as a protein supplement for fitness and muscle recovery from training, while bone broth can be consumed as a beverage or used as a base in cooking for added flavor and nutrients.

While bone broth protein is good for you, it has a vast nutritional profile making it more expensive. Also, it is effective and useful in general apart from its use as a protein supplement for muscle building.

Considering these factors, while whey isolate might be less expensive per serving for its protein content, bone broth offers a broader nutritional profile that could potentially offset its cost if you consider its benefits beyond just protein.

Considering these factors, you might wonder if bone broth is enough to take the place of your usual protein shake.

 

Is Bone Broth Protein a Complete Protein?

Not really. For bodybuilding purposes, having a protein supplement that combines 80-90% protein is essential.

Bone broth combines more of other nutrients as well. Along with protein, it also has collagen, amino acids, and minerals like calcium and magnesium as well as gelatin.

But even though bone broth is an animal-based protein, it does not offer all the essential amino acids.

The completeness of a protein source is determined by its amino acid profile. Complete proteins contain all essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. While bone broth does contain many amino acids, it might lack sufficient amounts of certain ones, like lysine or tryptophan, making it not fully complete on its own.

 

FAQs

Here are some of the common queries users have asked regarding bone broth protein vs whey isolate:

1. Is bone broth protein better than whey?

Comparing whey isolate vs bone broth protein, we can say that both are better in different aspects, but for protein, whey isolate can be a better option.

2. Can bone broth protein build muscle?

To answer is bone broth protein good for building muscle, what we need to look into is its amino acid profile, which is lacking in some ways. However, many bulkers might want to include it in their diet for its health benefits and taste.

3. Is collagen protein better than whey isolate?

Bone broth is rich in collagen, and it can be better to some extent if you’re elderly and your bone density is dropping with time.

4. Does collagen protein build muscle like whey protein?

No, you can’t get the same benefits of whey protein with collagen protein, but it may help improve the health of your skin, bones, and hair.

Now, I hope you at least have a basic understanding of the differences between bone broth protein and whey isolate. Let’s conclude the overall discussion with a final note.

 

Verdict

In this discussion, we’ve shared a detailed analysis of bone broth protein vs whey isolate comparison. Certainly, both bone broth and whey protein are potent sources of protein, but when it comes to choosing the best protein source for bodybuilding, whey has a superior nutritional profile.

However, choosing between whey isolate protein and bone broth protein completely depends on the preferences and nutritional needs as well as individual goals.

Whey Isolate is a rich source of all the essential amino acids that are needed for optimum protein synthesis. This is why it provides better support for muscle growth.

On the other hand, bone broth can support joint health and has other minerals that support overall wellness.

For bodybuilding, go for whey isolate for its better digestibility and impressive amino acid profile.

That’s a wrap, folks! What else do you prefer to stack up protein for muscle gains?

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About Mike Harris

Mike Harris is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and owner of The Sweat Guy. He is also award-winning health, wellness, and nutrition writer based in the USA. Armed with many training certifications and an exercise science teaching degree, Mike has been working for over 6 years now, helping others achieve optimum health.