Protein review reports strength gains with whey; lean mass findings remain uncertain
A review of young adults doing resistance training reported better lifting performance with whey, but no statistically clear lean mass benefit with either whey or soy.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review reported better bench press and squat performance with whey supplementation. Neither whey nor soy showed a statistically significant effect on lean body mass. These separate results do not establish that whey works better than soy, and the lean mass findings should not be read as proof that either supplement has no effect.
Comparison groups, intervention durations and units for the strength differences are absent from the abstract. Those omissions limit interpretation of the reported gains and prevent a clear judgment of their practical size.
Different questions, different measures
Researchers examined lifting performance, lean body mass and circulating essential amino acids. These are separate outcomes: an increase in amino acid levels is not itself evidence of added lean mass or better strength.
Why the null result matters
The lean mass result was statistically inconclusive rather than proof of no effect. The authors also called for larger, higher-quality randomized trials, so the abstract supports a cautious interpretation of the strength findings.
The original publication
The Impact of Whey and Soy Protein Supplementation on Resistance Training in Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Davis BE, Young I, Giglotti JC et al.
J Diet Suppl · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41454445
- Record checked
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