Best Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powders To Enhance Muscle Growth 2024

Many people who are interested in increasing their muscle gains take protein powders as supplements to meet their daily protein goals. The best grass-fed whey protein is easy to digest, convenient for the go, and quick to absorb. 

Today, there are plenty of different kinds of protein powder on the market sourced from both plants and animals. There are even special formulas for men and women. 

Additionally, there are also different supplements that promote muscle growth and improve lean muscle mass which can be used to complement protein powders.

Best Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder In 2024

What Is Grass-Fed Whey Protein?

Grass-fed whey protein is one of the most common^[2] sources of protein powders and it comes from grass-fed cows. These cows eat a plant-based diet and are mostly raised and bred organically. 

Unfortunately, the grass-fed label isn’t regulated by the United States Federal Department of Agriculture (USDA), so it can be hard to be sure that the grass-fed labeled whey is actually derived from grass-fed cows. 

That being said, it’s generally thought to be the case, and you can usually be assured that the protein powder comes from a byproduct of cows that feed on grass, shrubs, leaves, and bushes instead of grains or any other form of food. 

Beware of the pasture-raised label, as this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s grass-fed. Pasture-raised cows can still be fed some grains.^[3] It’s believed that grass-fed is better^[4] for you. 

This is because it contains more healthy fat, vitamins, and other nutrients which help lower inflammation and promote overall health and wellbeing. 

The main difference between whey protein concentrate and isolate is that whey isolate undergoes a processing stage that strips it off most fat and carbohydrate content, leaving only protein behind. This results in a protein powder that’s less caloric and better suitable for those with lactose sensitivities, but it’s often more expensive to produce and this purchase. 

Who Should Take Grass-Fed Whey Protein?

Grass-fed whey protein should be taken by anyone who is looking to increase their muscle gains, burn excess body fat, and improve their athletic performance in the gym. Whey protein powders contain all the essential amino acids you need to build muscle,^[5] increase strength, and promote muscular fitness. 

Someone who is looking to increase their overall protein consumption might not be able to get it from food alone. In these cases, supplementation with grass-fed protein powders might be the best way to do so. 

It’s important when choosing a whey protein powder to stay away from added sugars, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and unnecessary thickening agents. 

Benefits Of Grass-Fed Whey Protein

Grass-fed whey protein comes with many potential health benefits. Some of the most important include:

• Contains vitamin A – vitamin A^[6] is important for healthy eyesight and gene regulation, as well as the production of white blood cells.
• Contains vitamin E – vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and their oxidative cell damage. It also enhances immune function and prevents blood clotting. 
• Good source of glutathione – glutathione^[7] is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the human body. 
• Contains more omega-3 fatty acids, more specifically conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).  CLA fatty acid is crucial for reducing inflammation^[8] and body fat, as well as boosting brain health and cognition. 
• Improves muscle mass – whey protein powders may build muscle^[9] with their complete amino acid profile.
• Enhances recovery – research shows^[10] how taking protein supplements after workouts lowers muscle soreness, helps with lactic acid breakdown, and improves overall recovery scores. 
• Burns fat and helps you lose weight – the more muscle you have, the more fat you will burn. That’s why gaining muscle helps you lose weight.^[11] It also helps you feel fuller for longer which curbs your appetite, prevents additional weight gain, and makes maintaining a healthier body weight easier.
• Improves fitness performance –  the more lean muscle you have, the better your overall athletic performance.^[12]
• Boosts immune system function – cold-processed whey protein from grass-fed cows naturally contains BCAAs that support the production of glutathione and vitamin E, boosting your immune system and protecting you against the harmful effects of free radicals and inflammation. 
• Has anti-aging properties – containing natural^[13] collagen, grass-fed protein powders may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help improve the elasticity in your skin and connective tissue.  

How To Find The Best Grass Fed Whey Protein?

When looking for the best grass-fed whey protein powder, there are some important factors to consider:

Quality

Knowing where the whey protein powder comes from is crucial in making your choice as you want to ensure high quality and purity. The best brands are transparent about their farms and sources, so you can easily know how the cows were treated and whether or not they were grass-fed year-round or just a few weeks before being milked. 

Purity

Choose the best whey protein powder by looking at its ingredients and opting for the one without artificial ingredients, added sugars, and GMOs as it’s the least likely to cause inflammation or any kind of digestive discomfort. Look for gluten-free labels as that adds an additional proof that the cows weren’t fed grains. The best brands contain only a few ingredients, which are supposed to speak for themselves and be enough to form a delicious and creamy texture. 

Protein-By-Weight Ratio

Choose the whey protein powder that has a high protein-by-weight ratio, meaning there are almost no added ingredients to bulk up your scoop and add calories. People take protein powders to increase their muscle size and strength, but also to lose weight and burn fat. The higher the product is in calories, the harder it is to achieve your weight loss goals. 

Organic

If possible, choose the best organic grass-fed whey protein as it guarantees humane treatment of cows, quality processing methods, and proper pasture treatment. and the way the pasture they’re grazing on is treated. Raw organic whey protein isolate is rich in nutrients and healthy fats, helping you feel the best while lowering the risk of inflammation.

Cold-Processed

If possible, choose protein powders that are made by cold-processing raw organic whey. This ensures the maximum nutrient value and the quality of essential amino acids.  

Additional Ingredients

Some protein powders and supplements contain additional ingredients such as a digestive enzyme mix and probiotics to further increase nutrient and protein absorption and aid in digestion. This is especially important for those who often experience digestive discomfort after taking protein powders, even those made from organic milk. 

Reviews

And last but not least – always read the reviews. You can find plenty from people who write reviews, as they’re most likely to either rave about a product or write about what it’s lacking. A high volume of positive reviews improves your trust in the brand and all of its products, not just in its whey protein. 

Summary

Whey protein powders are one of the most popular supplements on the market, and not just amongst fitness enthusiasts. Many people take a protein supplement to improve their body composition, lose weight, burn fat, and simply take all the essential amino acids to support their overall health and longevity. 

Whey protein powder comes from cow’s milk protein, and making sure the cows really are grass-fed ensures its high quality and nutrient levels, helping you feed your gut microbiome, increase your micronutrient levels, and build muscle.

Frequently Asked Questions