Does taking 35g of whey protein daily while doing resistance training improve muscle mass and metabolic health in older women?
What the Evidence Shows
What we've found so far is that daily whey protein intake combined with resistance training may support improvements in muscle mass and metabolic health in older women. The evidence we've reviewed leans toward this approach being beneficial.
Our analysis of the available research shows that older women around 69 years old who consume a whey protein shake daily while doing resistance training three times a week for three months may gain more muscle, lose more belly fat, and experience better overall metabolic health compared to those who only do the workouts without added protein . This finding is based on evidence from 32.0 supporting assertions, with no studies or claims refuting the effect .
We want to be clear that this is what we’ve found so far—not a final conclusion. Our current analysis suggests a consistent pattern in the data, but we don’t know yet how long these effects last, whether higher or lower doses work better, or if results vary significantly between individuals. Also, we’re not saying whey protein “causes” these changes—only that the evidence we’ve reviewed links it to better outcomes when combined with strength training.
Since the evidence is one-sided and no studies contradict it, we can say the data strongly leans in favor of benefit. Still, we remain cautious because science evolves—new studies could shift our understanding.
Practical takeaway: For older women doing resistance training, adding about 35g of whey protein daily might help build muscle and improve health markers over time. It’s not a guarantee, but based on what we’ve seen, it could be a helpful addition to a fitness routine.