Which of the following is the third common form of commercially available supplemental protein?

• A. Protein concentrates
• B. Protein isolates
• C. Protein hydrolysates
• D. Protein blends

Answer: (C)

Protein supplements are categorized by how much processing they’ve undergone and how quickly the amino acids are absorbed. The most common form is the least processed option, which provides protein at a lower processing level and is widely available and affordable. The next most common form is the more processed option that strips away fat and lactose, yielding a higher protein content with fewer carbs and fats. The third form is the pre-digested type, where the protein is broken down into smaller peptides to be absorbed rapidly. This pre-digestion improves speed of delivery but comes at a higher cost and can have a more pronounced, sometimes bitter, taste, which keeps it less common overall. Because of that balance of cost and palatability, protein hydrolysates typically rank as the third common form. Blends exist, combining forms for marketing and performance goals, but they’re not a distinct processing level like the others.