The Raw Truth
Whey protein comes from milk and is separated out during the process
of making cheese. Most cheese is made from pasteurized milk, not raw
milk; that means pretty much every whey protein powder you can find was
made from pasteurized milk and that’s a big deal. Why does that matter?
We’re glad you asked…
Pasteurized vs. Raw Milk For Whey Protein Production – The “Denatured Science”
When proteins stay within a range of temperature and pH that they can
tolerate, they keep their natural biological functions. But, when
heated, their structure is altered; it’s called “denatured.” The same
thing happens when mixed with acids, bases or exposed to radiation or
high pressure. Denatured proteins lose their original solubility and
biological activity comes to a halt.
If the process is done carefully so as minimally effect the protein
structure, sometimes the proteins can revert to their natural state and
function normally. However, in milk pasteurization, the damage is so
severe, it’s irreversible; think – you can’t un-boil an egg (check out some of the science here).
Proteins
Whey proteins, particulary b-lactoglobulin, are very heat sensitive
and studies show that 80% of the quality proteins naturally found in
whey can be lost in the milk pasteurization process.
This denaturation is an irreversible reaction; the b-lactoglobulin is
bound to the k-casein chain by sulphur bridges and it’s gone.
Enzymes
Enzymes are a type of protein that are supposed to catalyze or
trigger reactions and they can be inactivated by heating. They lose that
ability to function when denatured because chemical bonds are broken on
the molecular level and it changes the actual structure of the protein.
Lactose
Lactose changes much more easily in milk form than in a dry state.
When heated, reactions take place between lactose and protein. Those
reactions between amino groups and aldehyde groups from the milk
carbohydrates result in a change of flavor, the loss of lysine, an
essential amino acid and an overall loss in nutritional value.
Vitamins
Milk contains vitamins A, B, C and D. A and D are not significantly
impacted by heat, however, B and C vitamins are significantly degraded
and the nutritional value is lost when heated.
The Clean Whey…
Most other whey protein powders are pasteurized twice; once as milk
(which dramatically alters the protein structure and reduces the health
benefits) and then again as whey protein. That is the major difference
between Clean Whey and other grass-fed whey proteins.
Clean Whey Protein by Re is the purest form on the market. We start with raw milk from locally-sourced, grass-fed
cows. Then it’s cold-processed into natural, nutrient-rich whey protein
and only pasteurized once at the very end (161º for 15 seconds). That
avoids the denaturing reactions that occur in pasteurized milk like we
explained above and keeps the natural whey protein structure intact.
In our opinion, healthy proteins are the single most important
element in building a healthy body. We pride ourselves on producing the
cleanest, highest quality whey protein available, candy-free and as
close to nature as possible.