Time to make the switch from Whey protein?

Hydrolysed bovine collagen is a dairy-free protein source with a blend of peptides intended to support muscle repair and growth. Let's look at how it compares to whey protein.

Whey protein is a by-product of cow's milk that comes from cheese production, while collagen is a structural protein that helps form cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and skin. Collagen protein is typically sourced from cowhide.

Muscle recovery and growth: Collagen protein may support muscle recovery and connective tissue health, in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Bovine collagen also contains amino acids that support healthy connective tissue and flexibility.

Both whey and collagen proteins contain essential amino acids like lysine and leucine. Collagen also contains higher levels of hydroxyproline and glycine, amino acids that are harder to obtain from other food sources.

Absorption: Hydrolysed collagen has been broken down into smaller peptide chains, which may support easier digestion and availability of nutrients in the body, in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Digestion: Bovine collagen is dairy-free, which can make it easier to digest for people who experience bloating with dairy-based whey proteins. Collagen may also support a healthy gut lining.

Strength and recovery: Bovine collagen supports the body's energy systems and tissue repair processes, which may assist training capacity and recovery, in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Value for money: Collagen protein formulas built without fillers, artificial sweeteners, or added sugars can offer good value relative to their protein content. A typical hydrolysed bovine collagen serve provides around 16g of protein per serving, compared with around 25g for a standard whey serve. Because collagen and whey are absorbed and used differently by the body, per-gram comparisons alone do not tell the full story.

Genuinely clean collagen formulas, free of artificial sweeteners or colourings, tend to taste less sweet than the flavoured whey products many people are used to. If taste matters more to you than ingredient quality, that is a fair trade-off to weigh up.

Unflavoured or lightly flavoured collagen blends well into a smoothie with fresh berries and banana if you want natural sweetness without added sugar.

If building lean muscle mass is your goal, hydrolysed collagen protein is worth considering as part of your overall protein intake, in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

The ATP Science Noway range referenced in the original version of this article (Noway Hot Chocolate, Noway Collagen Protein, and Noway Juicy Collagen) is no longer stocked by Supplement Solutions. If you are looking for a dairy-free collagen-based protein option today, see:

Not sure which protein is right for you? Contact us for personalised advice.