If you’re tired of thick, milky protein shakes, clear protein powder might be just what you need.
It delivers the same high-quality whey protein isolate, but instead of tasting like a creamy dessert, it looks and tastes like fruit juice. In other words, it’s the perfect fruity flavored protein powder for anyone who wants something light, refreshing, and easy to drink.
In this article, you’ll learn what clear protein is, how it works, why it’s just as effective as regular whey, and why it might be a smart upgrade to your supplement stack.
Key Takeaways
- Clear protein is a protein supplement that has undergone specialized filtration and pH adjustment to make it more soluble and clear when mixed with liquid, so it ends up more like juice than a traditional shake.
- Although clear protein looks and tastes different from regular whey protein isolate, it’s virtually identical when it comes to quality and effectiveness.
- Supplementing with clear protein powder can help you build muscle, get stronger, recover faster, hold on to muscle while cutting, and even make it easier to lose fat when dieting.
- Clear protein is a great option if you want a fruity, light alternative to thick shakes or struggle with digestion when you have regular whey.
- You can take clear protein powder any time it helps you hit your daily protein target—just aim to get at least half of your daily intake from whole food sources when possible.
- For a 100% naturally sweetened and flavored clear whey protein isolate that delivers 25 grams of premium grass-fed protein per serving, try Clear Whey.
What Is Clear Protein?
Clear protein is a protein supplement that has undergone specialized filtration and pH adjustment to make it more soluble and clear when mixed with liquid. As a result, it mixes into a light, refreshing, juice-like drink.
Most clear protein supplements are made from “whey protein isolate.” This means that the manufacturer has processed the clear protein powder to remove fat and lactose, leaving you with the highest quality whey protein available, with at least 90% protein by weight and minimal calories, carbs, and fat.
RELATED: Protein Calculator for Weight Loss & Muscle Gain
Clear Protein vs. Whey Protein
The main differences between whey protein and clear protein shakes are taste, texture, and appearance.
Traditional whey protein mixes into a thick, milky shake. Clear protein drinks, on the other hand, are more like juice—light, transparent, and thirst-quenching.
Thanks to their refreshing flavor profile, clear whey isolate also pairs well with fruity flavors, rather than the creamy or dessert-like flavors typically associated with regular whey protein.
Outside of those “sensory” differences, though, whey protein isolate and clear protein isolate are virtually the same. Both are excellent sources of high-quality protein, making them ideal for supporting muscle gain.
READ MORE: The Definitive Guide to Whey Protein
Clear Protein’s Benefits
Research shows that taking whey protein supplements, such as clear protein, boosts muscle growth and strength gain, accelerates recovery, supports muscle retention while cutting, and may even aid weight loss.
Here’s a closer look at how it works.
Enhanced Muscle and Strength Gain
Multiple meta-analyses show that supplementing with whey protein significantly boosts the muscle and strength gains you get from strength training.
For example, a meta-analysis of 49 studies published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that adding whey protein powder to your routine increased muscle growth by around 27% and strength by about 9%, relative to training without it.
Faster Recovery
Whey protein doesn’t just help you build muscle—it also helps you bounce back faster between workouts.
A 2018 meta-analysis published in Nutrients found that people who took whey protein after lifting weights regained their strength faster than those who didn’t. This matters because recovering faster between sessions means you can train harder across the week.
A 2019 meta-analysis published in Systematic Reviews backs this up. It showed that people supplementing with whey protein while following a strength training program had lower levels of creatine kinase and myoglobin—two markers linked to muscle damage and fatigue.
Less Muscle Loss While Cutting
Eating too little protein while dieting increases your risk of losing muscle. An easy way to prevent this is by supplementing with whey protein.
In one study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, men followed an eight-week training program while eating in a calorie deficit and taking either whey protein or a placebo.
Both groups lost just over 5 pounds, but only the placebo group lost muscle—nearly 2 pounds of “lean mass” (a proxy for muscle). In contrast, the whey group kept all their muscle while they lost fat.
Easier Fat Loss
Studies show that supplementing with whey protein while you diet can improve your body composition by helping you feel fuller, curb hunger, and burn more fat—all of which make it easier to stick to your diet and lose fat more effectively.
Who Is Clear Protein For?
Clear protein is a good option if you:
- Lift weights and want a high-quality source of protein
- Prefer fruity flavored protein powder over thick, milky shakes
- Train in hot weather and want a light, thirst-quenching post-workout drink
- Struggle with digestion after traditional whey shakes
- Are bulking and want a protein source that’s easier to drink alongside large meals
Clear protein beverages are also a great choice if you drink two shakes a day and want to keep things interesting—have a creamy, regular whey shake for one and a light, fruity clear protein drink for the other.
How and When to Take Clear Protein
There’s no strict rule for how much whey protein you should consume each day, and the ideal balance between whole food and supplements is still scientifically unclear. That said, anecdotal evidence suggests aiming for at least 50% of your daily protein from whole foods is a good rule of thumb.
There’s also no “best” time to take it—research doesn’t strongly support one specific timing over another.
So, you can have clear protein whenever it helps you hit your daily target—just try not to get more than about half your intake from powder alone.
What’s the Best Clear Protein Powder?
If you want a 100% naturally sweetened and flavored clear whey protein isolate that delivers 25 grams of premium grass-fed protein per serving, try Clear Whey.
Clear Whey is made with whey protein isolate sourced from dairy farms across Europe known for their strict animal welfare, sustainability, and milk quality.
It’s also gentle on the stomach, tested for purity and potency in a state-of-the-art, ISO 17025–accredited third-party lab, and contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors, food dyes, fillers, soy, gluten, GMOs, MSG, or other unnecessary junk.
FAQ #1: Is clear protein good for you?
Yes—clear protein is a convenient, high-quality source of protein that offers all the same benefits as regular whey protein.
It’s typically made from whey protein isolate, which means it contains at least 90% protein by weight and very little fat, carbs, or lactose. That makes it easy to digest and ideal for supporting muscle growth, recovery, and fat loss.
As long as you’re using it to help meet your overall protein needs—not as a total replacement for whole food sources—clear protein is a healthy, effective option for most people.
FAQ #2: How is clear whey protein made?
Manufacturers create clear liquid protein drinks by filtering and processing regular whey protein isolate at a low pH to remove fat and lactose, improve solubility, and prevent clumping when mixed with liquid.
The end result is a clean, high-protein powder that dissolves easily and looks and tastes more like fruit juice than a traditional shake.
FAQ #3: Does clear protein work?
Yes—clear protein works just as well as regular whey protein.
Most clear protein powders are made from whey protein isolate, which is one of the highest-quality and bioavailable protein sources you can consume. That means your body quickly and efficiently digests, absorbs, and uses it to support muscle growth, recovery, and fat loss.
Scientific References +
- Sepandi, Mojtaba, et al. “Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Weight and Body Composition Indicators: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.” Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, June 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.05.020. Accessed 12 June 2022.
- Sobral, C, et al. “Whey Protein Supplementation in Muscle Hypertrophy.” European Journal of Public Health, vol. 30, no. Supplement_2, 1 June 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaa040.004.
- Miller, Paige E., et al. “Effects of Whey Protein and Resistance Exercise on Body Composition: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition, vol. 33, no. 2, 4 Mar. 2014, pp. 163–175, https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2013.875365.
- Morton, Robert W, et al. “A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of the Effect of Protein Supplementation on Resistance Training-Induced Gains in Muscle Mass and Strength in Healthy Adults.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 52, no. 6, 11 July 2017, pp. 376–384, https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097608.
- West, Daniel, et al. “Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Performance Recovery after Resistance Exercise: A Double-Blind Crossover Study.” Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 7, 11 July 2017, p. 735, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537849/, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9070735.
- Davies, Robert, et al. “The Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on the Temporal Recovery of Muscle Function Following Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 2, 16 Feb. 2018, p. 221, www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/2/221, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10020221.
- Lam, Fui-Ching, et al. “Effectiveness of Whey Protein Supplements on the Serum Levels of Amino Acid, Creatinine Kinase and Myoglobin of Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Systematic Reviews, vol. 8, no. 1, 31 May 2019, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-019-1039-z. Accessed 12 Jan. 2020.
- Larsen, Mads S, et al. “Dose-Response of Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis to Ingested Whey Protein during Energy Restriction in Overweight Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.” the Journal of Nutrition/the Journal of Nutrition, vol. 153, no. 11, 1 Nov. 2023, pp. 3173–3184, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.011. Accessed 24 July 2024.
- Mojtahedi, M. C., et al. “The Effects of a Higher Protein Intake during Energy Restriction on Changes in Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Women.” The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, vol. 66A, no. 11, 27 July 2011, pp. 1218–1225, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glr120. Accessed 29 Mar. 2021.
- Dudgeon, Wesley D., et al. “Effect of Whey Protein in Conjunction with a Caloric-Restricted Diet and Resistance Training.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 31, no. 5, May 2017, pp. 1353–1361, https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001196. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.
- Lak, Mohammadyasin, et al. “Timing Matters? The Effects of Two Different Timing of High Protein Diets on Body Composition, Muscular Performance, and Biochemical Markers in Resistance-Trained Males.” Frontiers in Nutrition, vol. 11, 23 May 2024, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1397090.
- Wirth, Janine, et al. “The Role of Protein Intake and Its Timing on Body Composition and Muscle Function in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 150, no. 6, 1 June 2020, pp. 1443–1460, academic.oup.com/jn/article/150/6/1443/5814069, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxaa049.
- LaClair, Caitlin E., and Mark R. Etzel. “Ingredients and PH Are Key to Clear Beverages That Contain Whey Protein.” Journal of Food Science, vol. 75, no. 1, Jan. 2010, pp. C21–C27, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01400.x. Accessed 13 Oct. 2021.