Impact of whey protein on lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims

This research delved into a comprehensive examination and detailed analysis of the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation on lipid profile in adults.

Data synthesis

Data used in this research was obtained from diverse clinical trials. Thorough searches were carried out on multiple electronic platforms including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library from their inception until May 2024. Random effects models were assessed and pooled data were determined as weighted mean differences (WMDs) with a 95 % confidence interval (CI).

Results

Overall, 20 randomized clinical trials (n = 1638 participants) met our inclusion criteria. The current meta-analysis demonstrates a significant reduction in TG (WMD: −12.21 mg/dL; %95CI: −20.16, −4.26; P = 0.003). Pooled analysis of 19 studies on HDL-c indicated a significant increase (WMD: 2.59 mg/dL; %95CI: 1.11, 4.07; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

We found that WP intake can improve TG and HDL-c significantly without significant effects on TC, and LDL-c levels. However, future well-designed with long duration RCTs is required on diverse populations to understand better the effects of these natural compounds and their constituents on lipid profile in adults.