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The king of muscle-building supplements, whey protein is a type of protein made from milk. It contains all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs to build new proteins and perform vital functions such as hormone and neurotransmitter synthesis.
It's natural to find whey protein in dairy products like milk and cheese, but you can also take it as a supplement. In fact, whey protein powders are some of the most popular supplements used by athletes and gym-goers alike to build muscle and improve body composition. However, with so many products on the market, shopping for a high-quality whey protein supplement can be a confusing process.
Jacked Factory is a supplement company that offers a variety of protein products, including whey protein isolate. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein, including its ingredients, quality, safety standards and how it stacks up against competitors, so that you can decide whether Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein is the right fit for you.
This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein At a Glance
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein is a whey protein isolate product. Whey protein isolate contains 85-90 percent protein, and is low in fat and lactose, a type of sugar found in milk. It’s higher in protein and lower in fat and carbs than whey protein concentrate, which is probably the most popular protein powder supplement.
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein is made with whey derived from grass-fed cows, and is flavored with natural and artificial flavors, sucralose, and stevia.
Related: Whey Protein Concentrate vs Whey Isolate: How Are They Different and Which One is Right for You?
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein In-Depth Review
Key features & specs
- Key ingredients: Grass-fed whey protein isolate, natural and artificial flavors, Himalayan rock salt, sucralose and stevia extract
- Best for: People who prefer a flavored whey protein supplement, people who want to increase their protein intake, people who are looking for an effective way to increase muscle mass and strength
- Price per serving: $1.13
- Serving size: 1 scoop (30.1 grams)
- Nutrition facts:
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 25 grams
- Fat: 5 grams
- Carbs: 1 gram
- Added sugar: 0 grams
- Flavors: Vanilla, Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Servings per container: 30
- Certifications: Non-GMO, produced in a cGMP-certified facility
- Subscription: 15% discount; delivered every 30, 45 or 60 days
Jacked Factory is a supplement brand that offers a variety of nutrition products, including protein powders, pre-workouts, amino acids, creatine and protein bars.
Jacked Factory makes several protein products, including whey protein powder, casein and vegan protein powder. They currently offer two whey protein products; Authentic Whey Premium Protein Powder and Authentic Iso Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder. There are a few differences between these products. Jacked Factory Authentic Whey Premium Protein Powder is made with a blend of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate, while Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein is made with whey protein isolate only.
Whey protein isolate contains up to 90 percent protein, and is low in fat and lactose. Whey protein concentrate contains between 35-80 percent protein, and is higher in fat and lactose than whey protein isolate. Jacked Factory Authentic Whey Premium Protein Powder contains 24 grams of protein per serving—one gram less than the Authentic Iso Whey Protein product—and contains more ingredients than Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein, including additives like xantham gum and guar gum, as well as the anti-caking agent silicone dioxide.
Jacked Factory recommends mixing their Authentic Iso Whey Protein with eight to 12 ounces of water and mixing it until you reach a desired consistency. This product can also be blended with milk or non-dairy milk and ice to create a protein shake. You can enjoy Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein any time of day, but whey protein has been shown to be effective for promoting muscle growth when taken before or after a workout.
At the time of writing, Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein has 101 reviews and a 4.7/5-star rating on the Jacked Factory website, and 420 reviews and a 4.4/5-star rating on Amazon. Most customers love the taste and texture of this protein powder and report that the powder mixes easily into any liquid. However, some customers report that the taste is too sweet for their liking, which isn’t surprising based on the fact that sucralose and stevia are much sweeter than regular table sugar. Overall, Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein seems to be well-received by customers.
Related: Protein Powder 101: The Comprehensive Guide to Using Protein Powder for Optimal Health and Fitness
What we love:
- Whey protein isolate is high in protein
- Made with whey from grass-fed cows
- Relatively affordable
- Comes in dessert-inspired flavors
- Zero grams of added sugar
What to consider:
- Contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener that many people prefer to avoid
- Not third-party tested for quality and purity
Quality of Ingredients
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein contains just five ingredients: grass-fed whey protein isolate, natural and artificial flavors, Himalayan rock salt, sucralose and stevia.
Each 30.1-gram scoop provides 25 grams of grass-fed whey protein along with just one gram of sugar and less than one gram of fat. The term “grass-fed” is used to describe meat and dairy products from cows that eat grass. Cows that are grass-fed or pasture-raised often have a much better quality of life compared with animals raised on conventional dairy farms. Additionally, whey from grass-fed cows "is reported to have a higher fat and protein content with improved nutritional status." Although Jacked Factory does use whey from grass-fed cows in their Authentic Iso Whey Protein, they don’t go into too much detail about where they source their whey and what farms they work with.
As opposed to many flavored proteins on the market, Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein only contains one gram of sugar. It’s sweetened with a blend of stevia and sucralose, the latter of which has been linked with a few health concerns. For example, regular use of artificial sweeteners like sucralose is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers. What’s more, artificial sweeteners have been shown to negatively impact gut bacteria and may promote a pro-inflammatory environment in the gut.
Unfortunately, Jacked Factory doesn’t currently offer unsweetened whey protein powder, and all of their whey protein flavors contain either sucralose or acesulfame potassium (ACE-K), another artificial sweetener that’s been linked to negative health outcomes.
Additionally, although the company strives to create high-quality products, Jacked Factory supplements are not third-party tested for quality and purity.
Who Jacked Factory Iso Whey Protein Is Best For
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein is a good choice for people who like sweeter-tasting, flavored protein powders. In addition to five dessert-inspired flavors, this product is offered in an Unflavored version.
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein is a rich source of highly absorbable protein, which can help athletes and non-athletes alike reach their body composition goals by supporting muscle growth. What’s more, people who’d like to lose body fat could benefit from adding a whey protein supplement to their diet. Research shows that increasing overall protein intake is an effective way to reduce overall calorie intake and support fat loss.
It’s also a good choice for people who struggle to meet their protein needs, like older adults with low dietary protein intake.
Who Jacked Factory Whey Protein Isolate Is NOT Best For
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein isn’t a good fit for people who avoid eating dairy-derived products or who would prefer a plant-based protein alternative.
People who are allergic to milk should also avoid whey protein, but people with lactose intolerance can safely use whey protein isolate because it’s so low in lactose. That said, those who are exceptionally sensitive to lactose may want to steer clear of all whey protein products.
Also, this supplement isn’t third-party tested, so it’s not a good choice for professional athletes or people concerned about contaminants like heavy metals and banned substances in sports.
About Jacked Factory Whey Protein
Jacked Factory is the flagship brand of Nutra Holdings Inc., a sports nutrition platform that was founded in 2014. (They also own the supplement brand Transparent Labs.)
Jacked Factory currently offers a wide variety of supplements for fitness-minded individuals, including protein powders, pre- and post-workouts, protein bars, creatine, protein cereals and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). All Jacked Factory Products are made in the USA in a Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) compliant facility.
The company strives to offer affordable high-quality supplements containing evidence-based ingredients in effective doses. Jacked Factory has a loyal customer following and sponsors several professional athletes, including bodybuilders and powerlifters.
Jacked Factory Whey Protein vs Optimum Nutrition
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Isolate are very similar protein powders. Optimum Nutrition provides 100 calories and 24 grams of protein per 30-gram scoop. Jacked Factory Authentic Iso provides 110 calories and 25 grams of protein per 30.1-gram scoop. Both products also contain artificial flavors and are sweetened with sucralose.
The main differences are flavors and cost. Optimum Nutrition comes in two flavors, Rich Vanilla and Chocolate Bliss, and Jacked Factory comes in six flavors: Vanilla, Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Blueberry Muffin, Cinnamon French Toast and Unflavored.
Also, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Isolate is more expensive than Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein, costing $1.95 per serving, compared with $1.33 per serving of Jacked Factory.
Check out our in-depth Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Isolate review for more information.
Jacked Factory Whey Protein vs IsoPure
IsoPure is a company that offers a small selection of sports supplements, including their flavored whey protein isolate called IsoPure Zero/Low Carb. Like Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein, it contains 110 calories and 25 grams of protein per one-scoop serving, and is sweetened with sucralose.
One serving of IsoPure is slightly bigger than Jacked Factory—33 grams versus 30.1 grams, but that shouldn't be a noticeable difference. Also, IsoPure whey protein is much more expensive than Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein, costing $2.13 per serving compared to $1.33 per serving for Jacked Factory.
Jacked Factory Whey Protein FAQs
Does whey protein build muscle faster than other forms of protein?
Studies show that supplementing with whey protein powder is an effective way to build muscle mass. However, it doesn’t seem to be significantly more effective for building muscle compared to other protein sources, like pea protein.
Although protein supplements can be helpful when it comes to building and maintaining muscle mass, it’s most important to focus on your protein intake as a whole to ensure you’re eating enough protein every day.
Related: Pea Protein vs Whey: Which One Is Right for You?
Is it O.K. to drink whey protein on an empty stomach?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to drink whey protein on an empty stomach. Some people prefer to drink a whey protein shake before or after their workout on an empty stomach.
What happens if you drink protein shakes without working out?
Protein shakes aren’t just for people who work out—they can be a convenient way to increase your protein intake, which is especially important for those who don’t get enough of this macronutrient in their diet. Some people like to use protein shakes and smoothies made with whey protein as a filling snack or light meal when they’re short on time. Just like any food, your body breaks down protein shakes and uses the nutrients for energy and other important bodily processes.
How long does it take to see results from whey protein?
This depends on many factors, such as your overall diet, activity levels, age and fitness goals. Based on research findings, when combined with regular workouts, you may see changes in your muscle mass and strength after eight to twelve weeks of resistance training and supplementing with whey protein.
Does the FDA approve whey protein?
The FDA doesn’t pre-approve dietary supplements before they're sold online or on store shelves, but it does regulate dietary supplement ingredients and finished products (after they're available to buy). Since the FDA doesn't pre-approve supplements, it's important to look for supplements that have been third-party tested for purity and quality.
Takeaway: Is Jacked Factory Whey Protein Worth It?
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein is a good choice for people looking for an affordable and tasty protein supplement. Customers seem to like the taste and price point of Jacked Factory Authentic Iso Whey Protein, which is why Jacked Factory has built a loyal customer following.
That said, this product does contain small amounts of artificial flavors and sweeteners, which some people prefer to avoid. Also, Jacked Factory ISO whey isn’t third-party tested, so it may not be the best choice for athletes concerned with contaminants like heavy metals and banned substances in sports. And while it's not fit for vegans, it's an easily digestible option for those who prefer whey protein and even those with lactose intolerance.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.