Eating a higher protein diet has been shown to aid in weight management through increasing the feeling of fullness or satiety, and, in turn, curbing hunger cravings and contributing to reduced consumption of calories. Several studies have also shown that whey proteins specifically, either as a supplement combined with resistance exercise or as part of a weight-loss or weight-maintenance diet, may lead to statistically significant decreases in body fat as well as significant increases in lean body mass.

A meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled studies on the effects of whey protein on body composition was published in the March/April 2014 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. When researchers analyzed those weight loss studies that used whey protein to replace calories in the diet, participants had a decrease in body weight of 4.2 kg, on average, compared to baseline values with whey protein intake. Additionally, after analyzing muscle protein synthesis studies that included resistance exercise along with whey provisions, researchers found that participants had a statistically significant increase in lean body mass of 2.24 kg on average, when whey protein was used in conjunction with resistance exercise.¹