Designer Whey Protein Review

It's been quite some time since we wrote our first review of Next Proteins' popular Designer Whey protein supplement. If you're interested, you can read the previous review here. So why are we writing a new review of it? Well, things change with time, and since our last review, Next Proteins has made some significant changes to their whey protein products.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, I must mention that I was contacted by Next Proteins regarding their product line and the updates and changes that have been made. A request was made to update previous reviews, and I was happy to oblige. Please note, however, no payment or compensation was received in any way, and you can be sure that this review, like all other reviews on the site, are free from bias and free from manufacturer influence. I did receive the 12.7oz containers of each of the flavors so that I can review them.

That being said, we can continue with my review of Designer Whey. I've often used Designer Whey protein, alternating among my other favorite proteins including ON's 100% whey, Syntrax Nectar, and a few others. I've also often used their detour and u-turn protein bars - well, because they taste good.

Whey Protein, Why You Need It?

It is widely known and accepted that whey protein provides numerous health benefits. You should not be surprised to hear that whey protein improves immune functions by increasing glutathione levels, helps with weight loss, helps increase lean muscle mass, speeds up recovery after exercising [1], stimulates muscle protein synthesis [2], and more...

There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of studies that you can easily find demonstrating the many stated benefits of whey protein. We got two quick ones here to share with you:

Supplementation with a whey protein hydrolysate enhances recovery of muscle force-generating capacity following eccentric exercise.
Buckley JD, Thomson RL, Coates AM, Howe PR, Denichilo MO, Rowney MK.
Australian Technology Network Centre for Metabolic Fitness and Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

The potential of whey protein to speed up recovery following eccentric exercise was evaluated by assessing the recovery of peak isometric torque in this double blind, randomized study. 28 sedentary males had muscle soreness, serum creatine kinase activity, plasma TNF alpha, and peak isometric torque assessed at baseline and after 100 maximal eccentric contractions (ECC) of their knee extensors.

The participants then consumed either a drink containing 25g of whey protein, or a placebo drink, with assessments taken 1, 2, 6 and 24 hours later. The study found that peak isometric torque decreased by 23% following the ECC. However, after 6 hours, peak isometric torque had recovered completely for the whey protein group, leading to the conclusion that whey protein assists with recovery from fatiguing exercises. [1]

Minimal whey protein with carbohydrate stimulates muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise in trained young men.
Tang JE, Manolakos JJ, Kujbida GW, Lysecki PJ, Moore DR, Phillips SM.
Exercise Metabolism Research Group, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.

This study was designed to determine the impact of consuming whey protein on skeletal muscle protein synthesis in the post exercise period. 8 healthy, resistance trained male subjects participated in this double blind randomized crossover trial where they performed a unilateral leg resistance workout consisting of leg extensions and leg presses. One leg was exercised, and the other leg was not acting as a rested comparison.

After the workout, the subjects consumed either a whey protein plus carbohydrate drink, or a carbohydrate drink only. Muscle protein synthesis readings were then taken, and the study found that the whey protein drink group had a greater rate of muscle protein synthesis compared to the carbohydrate only group. They concluded that whey protein with carbohydrates can stimulate a rise in muscle protein synthesis that supports a positive net protein balance. [2]

Designer Whey Protein Nutrition Facts

Serving Size (scoop 1
Servings Per Can 40
Calories 100
Fat Calories 9
Total Fat (g) 1
Sat. Fat (g) 0.7
Cholesterol (mg) 19
Sodium (mg) 60
Potassium (mg) 112
Total Carbs (g) 2.6
Dietary Fiber (g) 0.6
Sugars (g) <1
Proteins (g) 18
Calcium(mg) 100
Magnesium(mg) 100

Ingredient Details:
APT - Full Spectrum Whey Peptides (whey protein concentrate, ion-exchange whey), whey glutamine peptide blend, D-glucose, lecithin, natural & artificial flavoring, magnesium oxide, malic acid, cellulose gum, momordica extract, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, xanthan/sodium alginate, annatto, acesulfame-K, stevia, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine HCL, thiamin, riboflavin, cyanocobalamin, Vitamin E, lactoperoxidase.

Designer Whey Taste

As with all protein supplements, taste is one of the more important deciding factors for many. With so many different protein products on the market today, purchasing decisions are typically based on price and taste. Designer Whey protein comes in several different flavors. The flavors I received include chocolate, double chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate peanut caramel.

Chocolate - this is a standard chocolate flavor. It's easy to mix, goes down smooth, and tastes good.

Vanilla Praline - another standard flavor. It was quite light tasting, and mixed very easily.

Double Chocolate - this was something else! The first sip had me hooked, it tasted simply amazing. I can't say it tasted twice as good as the chocolate flavor, but it definitely was the best tasting.

Chocolate Peanut Caramel - this tastes very good. But still not quite as good as the double chocolate. It's very smooth, and easily mixed. Personally, I prefer the pure chocolate flavors more.

Strawberry - this was also quite light tasting, and tastes pretty good, but I prefer all the other flavors over strawberry - probably because I've never really liked strawberry flavored protein much in the first place. But compared to some other strawberry flavors I've tried in the past, this is still one of the better ones.

Overall, all the Designer Whey flavors tasted excellent, and you should have no problems mixing them at all. I find that they're very slightly on the light tasting side, or maybe I used a little extra liquid, but either way, the taste is top notch, and by far my favorite would be the double chocolate.

>> Click here to order Designer Whey Protein

1. J Sci Med Sport. 2008 Sep 1.
Supplementation with a whey protein hydrolysate enhances recovery of muscle force-generating capacity following eccentric exercise.
Buckley JD, Thomson RL, Coates AM, Howe PR, Denichilo MO, Rowney MK.

2. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2007 Dec
Minimal whey protein with carbohydrate stimulates muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise in trained young men.
Tang JE, Manolakos JJ, Kujbida GW, Lysecki PJ, Moore DR, Phillips SM.

Mar 2009