Clear Whey Protein and Collagen Plus: Benefits for Muscle, Skin, Joints and Wellbeing

Protein powders are usually designed for one main purpose: helping people increase their daily protein intake. Clear Whey Protein and Collagen Plus takes a broader approach by combining whey protein with marine collagen, traditional herbal ingredients, kiwifruit powder, iron and B vitamins.

The result is a light, fruit-flavoured drink intended to support an active lifestyle without the thick, milky texture of a traditional protein shake. But can one drink genuinely support muscles, skin, joints, energy and stress management?

This guide examines the product from both a scientific and naturopathic perspective, separating its established nutritional benefits from claims that still require stronger research.

What Is Clear Whey Protein and Collagen Plus?

Clear Whey Protein and Collagen Plus is a cherry raspberry-flavoured powder that is mixed with water to produce a juice-style protein drink.

Unlike a conventional whey shake, the formula contains approximately equal quantities of hydrolysed whey protein isolate and hydrolysed marine collagen. It also includes several botanical and nutritional ingredients intended to broaden its potential health benefits.

Each 25.2g serving provides:

The formula also supplies approximately 30% of the stated daily reference intake for several B vitamins, including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid.

Clear Whey Versus an Ordinary Whey Shake

Clear whey is produced from whey protein isolate but is processed to create a thinner, more transparent drink. Once mixed with water and allowed to settle, it has a consistency closer to fruit juice than a milkshake.

This may appeal to people who:

• Do not enjoy thick or creamy protein shakes
• Want a refreshing drink after exercise
• Find milk-style drinks heavy during warm weather
• Want protein without much fat or sugar
• Prefer to mix protein with water rather than milk

Clear whey is still derived from milk. It is therefore unsuitable for people with a milk-protein allergy and may not suit everyone with lactose intolerance, although whey isolate usually contains less lactose than whey concentrate.

The Scientific View of Whey Protein

Whey is a complete protein, meaning that it provides all nine essential amino acids. It is particularly rich in leucine, an amino acid involved in activating muscle protein synthesis.

Research consistently shows that adequate dietary protein, especially when combined with resistance exercise, can help maintain and build muscle. This becomes increasingly important with age because adults may become less responsive to small servings of protein.

The product supplies 10g of clear whey protein per serving. This contributes useful essential amino acids, but it is less whey than the 20g to 30g servings commonly used in post-exercise protein research.

Although the drink contains 18g of total protein, some of that protein comes from collagen. Collagen does not have the same essential amino-acid profile as whey and should not be considered an equal replacement for whey when muscle growth is the primary goal.

Is It Sufficient as a Post-Workout Shake?

It can contribute to post-workout nutrition, particularly after a lighter exercise session or when combined with a protein-containing meal.

Someone performing demanding resistance training may need additional complete protein from foods such as eggs, fish, meat, dairy, soy or a separate complete protein supplement.

For example, the drink could be paired with:

• Greek yoghurt and fruit
• Eggs on wholegrain toast
• A chicken, tuna or tofu salad
• A balanced meal containing legumes, soy or animal protein

What Can Marine Collagen Do?

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the human body. It is present in skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone and other connective tissues.

This product contains 10g of hydrolysed marine collagen per serving. Hydrolysis breaks collagen into smaller peptides, allowing it to dissolve more easily and making it more convenient to consume.

Collagen and Skin

Some clinical trials have reported improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles after regular collagen-peptide supplementation. However, the overall evidence is not completely settled.

Recent scientific reviews have raised concerns about differences in study quality, small participant numbers and industry funding. Positive results do not mean that collagen will remove wrinkles or produce the same result for every person.

Collagen should be viewed as a possible nutritional support for skin rather than a substitute for proven skin-protection strategies such as:

• Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Avoiding smoking
• Eating sufficient protein and vitamin C
• Managing excessive sun exposure
• Using evidence-based topical skincare

Collagen and Joint Health

Research into hydrolysed collagen for joint health is promising but not definitive. Several trials and scientific reviews have reported modest reductions in pain and improvements in function among people with knee osteoarthritis or activity-related joint discomfort.

However, collagen is not a treatment for joint damage, inflammatory arthritis or an acute injury. Persistent swelling, instability, locking or severe joint pain requires professional medical assessment.

Collagen Is Not a Complete Muscle-Building Protein

Collagen is rich in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, which are associated with connective-tissue structure. However, it contains relatively low levels of essential amino acids and does not provide tryptophan.

Direct comparisons have found that whey stimulates muscle protein synthesis more effectively than collagen. The combination in this product may therefore offer a wider variety of amino acids, but its collagen content should not be counted as equivalent to the same quantity of whey.

Ashwagandha: The Adaptogenic Ingredient

Each serving contains 500mg of KSM-66® ashwagandha root extract.

Ashwagandha has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine and is often described as an adaptogen—a traditional term for a substance believed to help the body cope with physical or psychological stress.

Several controlled studies suggest that certain ashwagandha extracts may modestly reduce perceived stress, anxiety or cortisol levels in some adults. However, results vary between formulations, and evidence regarding long-term use remains limited.

Ashwagandha Safety

Ashwagandha may cause stomach upset, diarrhoea, nausea or drowsiness. Rare cases of liver injury have also been reported.

Professional advice is particularly important for people who:

• Have a thyroid disorder
• Have liver disease
• Have an autoimmune condition
• Are preparing for surgery
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Take sedatives, thyroid medication or immunosuppressants
• Take medication for diabetes or high blood pressure

Because ashwagandha is already included in the formula, users should check other supplements to avoid unintentionally taking multiple ashwagandha products.

Maca Root and Traditional Vitality

Maca is a plant traditionally grown in the Andes and used as a food and herbal preparation. It is frequently marketed for vitality, stamina, mood and sexual wellbeing.

Some small studies have reported possible improvements in sexual desire or selected menopausal symptoms. However, the scientific evidence remains limited, and maca should not be expected to produce an immediate energy boost.

This product contains 1g of maca per serving. Studies have used a variety of preparations and doses, so their results cannot automatically be applied to this particular formula.

What Does the Kiwifruit Powder Do?

The formula contains 555mg of Actazin® kiwifruit powder. Kiwifruit naturally contains fibre and plant compounds, while green kiwifruit also contains actinidin, an enzyme capable of breaking down certain proteins.

Laboratory and preliminary human studies suggest that actinidin-containing kiwifruit may assist the digestion of some protein-rich foods. Kiwifruit-derived supplements have also been studied for bowel regularity and digestive comfort.

These findings are interesting, but they do not prove that this particular drink will improve digestion for every person. The amount of active enzyme can also depend on how the ingredient is processed.

B Vitamins, Iron and Energy

The drink contains a range of B vitamins and 2.1mg of iron per serving.

B vitamins participate in normal energy metabolism, while iron is needed for oxygen transport and normal red-blood-cell production. However, these nutrients do not function like caffeine and will not necessarily make a well-nourished person feel more energetic.

They are most likely to make a noticeable difference when a person has an inadequate intake or a diagnosed deficiency.

Unexplained fatigue should not automatically be treated with supplements. Low energy can have many causes, including poor sleep, stress, inadequate food intake, anaemia, thyroid problems, infection or medication effects.

People with haemochromatosis, elevated iron levels or instructions to avoid supplemental iron should check with a healthcare professional before using an iron-containing product regularly.

The Naturopathic View

A naturopathic practitioner may see this product as a combination of modern sports nutrition and traditional herbal practice. Whey and collagen provide concentrated amino acids, while ashwagandha and maca reflect traditional approaches to stress, resilience and vitality.

From this perspective, the product may be useful as part of a broader wellness routine. However, a holistic approach would also consider why a person wants the supplement in the first place.

For example:

• Are they eating enough protein?
• Are they sleeping well?
• Are they recovering adequately between workouts?
• Are digestive symptoms affecting nutrient intake?
• Are stress and overtraining contributing to fatigue?
• Are they eating enough fruit, vegetables and whole foods?

The Food-First Principle

Most naturopathic approaches emphasise obtaining nutrients from food wherever practical. Protein-rich foods deliver amino acids alongside vitamins, minerals, fats and other naturally occurring compounds.

Natural sources of complete protein include:

• Fish, eggs, poultry and lean meat
• Milk, yoghurt and cheese
• Soy foods such as tofu, tempeh and edamame
• Balanced combinations of legumes, grains, nuts and seeds

Foods rich in vitamin C—including citrus fruit, berries, kiwifruit, capsicum and broccoli—are also important because vitamin C is required for the body’s normal collagen-production process.

The Advantage and Disadvantage of an All-in-One Formula

The naturopathic advantage of this formula is convenience. One drink supplies protein, collagen, botanical ingredients and selected micronutrients.

The disadvantage is that a multi-ingredient product is less flexible. A person cannot independently adjust the collagen, ashwagandha, maca or iron dose. It can also be more difficult to identify the responsible ingredient if digestive discomfort or another unwanted reaction occurs.

Who Might Find This Product Useful?

Clear Whey Protein and Collagen Plus may appeal to:

• People who dislike creamy protein shakes
• Active adults wanting both whey and collagen
• People looking for a low-fat, low-sugar protein drink
• Adults who want a convenient juice-style supplement
• People interested in combining sports nutrition with traditional botanical ingredients

Who Should Avoid It or Seek Advice First?

The product contains milk-derived whey and fish-derived marine collagen. It is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians and must be avoided by anyone with a relevant milk or fish allergy.

Consult a doctor, pharmacist or accredited dietitian before using it if you:

• Have thyroid, liver or autoimmune disease
• Have high iron levels or haemochromatosis
• Take regular prescription medication
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are preparing for an operation
• Have unexplained ongoing fatigue
• Are buying it for a child or adolescent

How to Prepare It

Myprotein recommends mixing one 25.2g scoop with approximately 400ml of water.

Clear whey naturally produces foam when shaken. Allow the drink to stand until the foam settles and the liquid becomes clearer. Because powder can settle inside the container, weighing the serving provides greater accuracy than relying entirely on the scoop.

It may be consumed after exercise, between meals or on rest days, depending on the person’s overall protein intake and nutritional goals.

The Bottom Line

Clear Whey Protein and Collagen Plus is an unusually comprehensive formula. It provides a refreshing alternative to a traditional shake while combining complete whey protein with marine collagen, ashwagandha, maca, kiwifruit powder, B vitamins and iron.

Its strongest established benefit is nutritional convenience. The whey contributes essential amino acids for muscle maintenance, while the collagen supplies collagen-specific amino acids. Evidence for collagen and joint health is promising, although claims relating to younger-looking skin require more cautious interpretation.

Ashwagandha may help some people with stress, while the evidence for maca and kiwifruit powder is more preliminary. None of these ingredients can replace good nutrition, regular exercise, appropriate medical care, sufficient sleep or effective stress management.

For someone who wants both whey and collagen in a light, fruit-style drink, it may be a convenient option. For someone focused entirely on building muscle, a larger serving of complete protein may be more appropriate.

Health disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and does not replace personalised medical, nutritional or pharmaceutical advice. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Consult a suitably qualified healthcare professional when appropriate.