Milk out of a cow has whey and curds.
Whey is the liquid byproduct of straining milk to get curds. The curds are used to create most cheeses and other solid dairy products while the whey serves a wide variety of different purposes. Whey can be used to make certain types of cheese, as a supplement for bodybuilding, as a flavoring for baking and has even been found to assist in weight loss in lab tests, as reported by the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."
Making Cheese
Although curds are used to make most cheese, whey can be used to create ricotta cheese. This is a slightly sweet cheese with a crumbly texture that is slightly grainy. Ricotta is technically not cheese but can be used to flavor food in similar ways. Ricotta is created by combining whole or skim milk with whey. Once it is combined, the whey and milk is heated up and stirred vigorously. Ricotta cheese is used in many different types of dishes like lasagna and manicotti. It is also used in cheesecake.
Supplements
Whey is high in protein, which is why it has become popular as a supplement for bodybuilders or for people who want to lose fat. According to The Facts About Fitness website, whey supplements have a high biological value when it comes to protein supplements. High biological-value foods contain all nine essential amino acids, making whey supplements more fully rounded as supplements. There are two types of whey supplements --- whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. Whey protein concentrate has more fat than whey protein isolate, but it also has a higher biological value.
Baking
Whey is also used in many different types of baking. Besides ricotta cheese, whey protein concentrates can also be used to add a boost of protein and healthy fats to your meal. The concentrates have no taste, so they can be used with different types of dishes. You can mix in whey protein concentrates with the cheese of your pizza to make it healthier. You can also mix it in with dough to create many baked goods, such as bread or cookie dough.
Weight Loss
Whey is often ingested by people who are looking to lose weight. A study was undertaken by the Clinic of Endocrinology in the University Hospital in Malmo, Sweden, to test the effects of whey on blood glucose and insulin responses. As reported by the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers found that insulin responses were stimulated by up to 57 percent after lunch and 31 percent after breakfast. This higher level of insulin in the body means that the body will digest carbohydrates and fat more effectively. This stimulates the metabolic process and helps weight loss.
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