Thorne Protein Review: Why Is This So Popular?

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I have tried hundreds of protein powders (I’ve reviewed many of them here). 

So, I was actually shocked when a YouTube subscriber commented and asked my thoughts on Thorne Protein because it’s a protein I haven’t previously tried.  

I quickly purchased a bottle and spent the last 30 days testing it.  

I do believe Thorne’s commitment to quality and good taste make it an appealing option on the market, but the high price point may put this product out of reach for some consumers. 

Here’s my full experience…

Key Takeaways

• Thorne Protein uses whey protein isolate and offers 21g of protein and 100 calories, which means protein makes up 84% of the total calories.  This puts it in the “good” category according to our FeastGood.com criteria (just shy of the “excellent category”). 

• Thorne Protein costs $2.07 per serving, placing it among the most expensive products on the market, and above the average cost of protein powder at $1.34 per serving.  

• Thorne is NSF Certified, one of the strictest sports certifications. This makes this product safe for elite athletes and ensures quality and purity, which may justify the additional cost.

Honest Review Guarantee from FeastGood: Our testing team purchases each product 100% independently and uses the product for several weeks up to several months before writing a review. Learn more about our review process here.

About Thorne as a Company

Thorne is a clear standout in the industry regarding science, innovation, and customer education. 

One way they do this is through the health quizzes available on their website. 

I took the protein powder quiz, which had questions like which flavor I’d prefer and why I was looking to add protein to my diet. I tried a few other quizzes, like stress support and their B-Vitamin Quiz. 

While I felt that a lot of the questions were a bit basic for avid supplement users like myself, I can see their appeal for individuals who are brand new to the products and aren’t sure where to start. 

Alongside these quizzes, which just help direct you to the correct products for you, Thorne sells various at-home tests and health panels, ranging from the $129 Thyroid Test to the $830 Advanced Health Panel. 

I didn’t dig into any of those products further, but it’s something to note as they’re products I don’t typically see when shopping for supplements. 

With their NSF Sport certification, Thorne is an attractive choice for elite athletes since many sport governing bodies require their athletes to consume only NSF Certified supplements. 

Some notable Thorne athletes include former NBA player Dwayne Wade, MLB Pitcher Noah Syndergaard, and Formula 1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo.  

Overview of Thorne Protein Powder 

Thorne is a whey protein isolate with a blend of digestive enzymes (bromelain and papain) to help break down the protein. 

Thorne is naturally flavored and sweetened with evaporated cane juice, sugar, stevia, and cocoa powder (in the chocolate flavor). 

The macronutrient breakdown of Thorne protein is: 

• Protein: 21g  
• Carbohydrates:  4g
• Fat:  1g
• Sugar: 2g

Currently, Thorne Protein is only available in 2 flavors: chocolate and vanilla, which have 100 calories. 

The 21g of protein per scoop in Thorne provides 84 calories, therefore, 84% of the calories in Thorne come from protein alone. 

Thorne Protein falls into what we consider to be a “Good” source of protein, and is right on the cusp of being “Excellent.”

For Feastgood.com criteria, a “Good” protein percentage is between 75 and 85% protein per scoop with anything above 85% being considered “Excellent”. 

Highlights: What I Liked About Thorne Protein

Good Texture and Mixability

Thorne Protein had a very smooth and surprisingly thick texture, making for a satisfying protein shake. It mixed easily with no clumping.

Whey isolates usually mix up quite thin, so I was surprised that Thorne Protein had such a thick, creamy texture. 

Thorne protein also stirred into yogurt and oatmeal without clumping. 

Added Digestive Enzymes

The addition of bromelain and papain in the Thorne formula can help to breakdown the protein, which makes for smoother digestion and fewer potential side effects like gassiness or bloating. 

If you are lactose intolerant, it’s still possible that you experience gastrointestinal upset from Thorne, which does use whey protein. Although, as a whey isolate, it has had most of the sugar removed and is likely to be less reactive than other types of protein like whey concentrate or casein. 

Unbeatable Quality Standards

Thorne boldly displays their commitment to quality all across the website, and backs this up with an NSF Certified Sport certification, one of the highest quality third testing certifications available. 

Many athletic governing bodies, like the NHL, recommend that their athletes only use products which are NSF Certified. 

This is because the NSF has strict standards and testing procedures, which helps ensure that the products are free of potential contaminants (like banned substances). 

Some key athletic organizations, such as the UFC, USA Boxing, and USA Triathlon, trust Thorne products enough to become key brand partners. 

Natural Flavor

Thorne uses only natural flavors and sweeteners in their products and does not use any artificial coloring. 

With only natural flavoring and some naturally sourced sweeteners (cane juice and stevia), Thorne eliminates artificial additives while still delivering a good taste.

Drawbacks: What I Didn’t Like About Thorne Protein

Very Expensive

Thorne Whey Isolate costs $2.07 per serving, which is well above the average price of whey protein powder, which we calculate to be $1.34 per serving. 

For context, our $1.34 per serving calculation includes the full spectrum of protein powders, including various sizes, qualities, and types of protein. 

When we compare Thorne protein to other powders of similar quality, like Transparent Labs Whey Isolate ($1.90-$2.00 per serving) or Legion Whey ($1.50-$2.00) the cost is a bit more reasonable, but still on the high end. 

This price point may be out of reach or undesirable for many consumers. 

Not much variety in flavors

Thorne is only available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors, which can get dull with long-term use. 

Even though I did find the chocolate flavor enjoyable, I wouldn’t necessarily want to be limited to chocolate every day.

For example, other brands, like Transparent Labs, use all-natural flavors with similar sweeteners to Thorne, but they have more than a dozen flavor varieties.

One potential reason for the few flavors is that with certifications like the NSF one, each ingredient (even flavoring) can come back as not meeting quality standards. 

I can understand why a company would choose to run limited flavors because fewer products and ingredients need to be tested, saving them manufacturing costs and reducing possible delays or disruptions. 

How Does Thorne Protein Stack Up Against Our Criteria For Whey Protein

At FeastGood, we have eight criteria for ranking whey protein powders.  Here’s how Thorne Whey Protein Isolate stacked up:

Nutrition Label Transparency 

Our rating: 4/5

Thorne clearly states all nutrition info on a clean and easy-to-read label. 

One thing that could confuse consumers who aren’t familiar with whey protein manufacturing is that the label lists 25g of whey protein isolate in the ingredients but provides only 21g of protein. 

This is typical because whey protein is not 100% protein. Even isolates of whey protein often have a little bit of left-over fat and sugar (lactose). 

In this case, the whey protein isolate that Thorne sources measure 25g, but it contains 21 g of protein and 4g of other sources, such as carbs and fats. 

Fat Content Transparency 

Our rating: 5/5

Thorne Protein has 1g of total fat with 0.5g of saturated fat, which is clearly identified on the nutrition label.

Effective Ingredients 

Our rating: 5/5

Thorne Protein uses whey protein isolate and is third-party tested to ensure quality and purity. 

Thorne uses cocoa powder (in the chocolate flavor) as well as natural flavors, evaporated cane juice sugar, and stevia extract for taste. 

They add xanthan gum and carboxymethylcellulose gum (commonly called cellulose gum) for texture and mixability.

While some people prefer to minimize any added ingredients, period, my professional opinion is that one or two of these in your product are just fine and are considered safe food additives by the FDA. 

It is common to find products like xanthan gum and cellulose gums in protein powders because they improve the “mouth-feel” or texture of products. 

Protein Percent of Calories

Our rating: 4/5

Thorne has 21g of protein per 100 calories, making it around 84% protein per scoop, making it a “good” protein source. 

Because Thorne uses evaporated cane juice as a natural sweetener, this adds a few grams of carbohydrates and therefore several calories to the product. 

This drops the overall protein percentage from what would be close to 90% down to 84%. 

I don’t consider this to be a substantial decrease, and I still consider Thorne to be a great option for somebody looking for a protein powder that delivers a high protein percentage per scoop. 

Taste/flavor

Our rating: 4/5

I personally tested the Chocolate flavor, which was nice and rich but tended towards the bitter side (closer to dark chocolate than milk chocolate). 

I enjoyed the chocolate flavor, but its bitterness caught me off guard the first time I tried it. 

This is definitely a more natural flavor, closer to cocoa than sweet milk chocolate. 

My biggest issue with Thorne regarding taste remains the limited flavor variety. 

Mixability

Our rating: 5/5

Thone mixes up easily with little to no effort.

I didn’t notice any grittiness or chalky residue when mixing Thorne with milk, water, or into oatmeal and yogurt. 

In fact, I found that shaking my protein powder in a cup or using an immersion blender created a really nice frothy texture. 

Texture (Thick or Thin)

Our rating: Thick

Thorne had a really thick texture, which isn’t common among whey isolates. 

Thorne had such a thick texture that the first time I tried it, I had to look back at my shaker bottle to make sure I mixed it with the correct amount of liquid. 

This product does dilute easily for people who want to enjoy a thinner shake and still has a nice taste even when extra water is used. 

Satiety

Our rating: 2/5

As a very low-calorie product that exclusively uses whey isolate, Thorne provides only about an hour or two of satiety. 

That being said, Thorne doesn’t advertise itself as a product meant to be used as a meal replacement or for satiety. 

They market it as a foundation product (i.e., one that should be part of your daily routine) and for sports performance and recovery. 

If you want to use Thorne but also want longer satiety or fullness, consider adding it to oatmeal or Greek yogurt or pairing it with fruits and veggies in a smoothie. 

The added fiber and extra calories will prolong your feelings of fullness. 

Who Is Thorne For? 

Thorne Protein is a suitable option for:

• Any athletes who are drug tested for their sport and demand the highest quality ingredients: Thorne is NSF Sport Certified, which is what most professional leagues require on their athletes’ products. 

• Someone looking for post-workout recovery: The isolate protein will digest quickly and support post-workout recovery. 

• Someone who wants to avoid artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors: Thorne uses only natural ingredients in their products

• Individuals with a more generous supplement budget: Thorne protein costs well above the market average for protein powder

• Those who prioritize quality over taste: Thorne doesn’t taste bad, but it is not very sweet and is available in only two flavors. 

Who Shouldn’t Take Thorne Protein?

Thorne Protein is not for: 

• Someone on a tighter budget

• Someone with a known dairy allergy or sensitivity

• Anyone looking for a lot of flavor variety

• Somebody looking for a meal replacement or protein powder to keep them full for several hours 

Thorne Customer Reviews

On the Thorne website, the product has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating based on around 250 reviews. 

Skipping over to Amazon, Thorne has an identical rating based on just over 750 reviews. 

This was a unique experience for me, since the ratings on a company website are almost always higher than those on third-party retailers since individuals shopping on a company website tend to be fans of the brand already. 

There needed to be more consistency on how the ratings were dispersed, however. 

On the Thorne website, 88% of users rated the product as 5/5 with only 4% rating it as 3 stars or lower. 

On Amazon, 75% of reviewers gave it 5/5, and 14% of users gave it 3 stars or less. 

The things people like about Thorne are the same across both sites. Users love the high quality, taste, and mixability of Thorne Protein. 

On the Thorne website, the two 1-star reviews were because the customers didn’t like the taste of the product with water but found it tolerable with milk. 

Those reviews were also left in 2021/2022 with no one-star reviews coming after that time, so Thorne may have improved their flavor since those reviews were left. 

Negative reviews on Amazon are much more colorful. Most of it comes down to taste, which is fair enough. I’ve never found a product that 100% of people agreed tasted good. 

Overall, while some individuals find Thorne out of their budget, most users agree that they enjoy drinking Thorne and appreciate its high quality. 

Thorne Promotions & Discounts

Thorne offers a subscribe and save feature that allows you to save 10% on recurring orders, or 20% if you subscribe to 3 or more products. 

You can cancel or modify your subscription anytime and get free shipping (within the US). 

Thorne also has a rewards program where you earn 1 point for each dollar spent on Thorne products. These points can then be redeemed in their exclusive rewards shop. 

Signing up for this rewards program also provides special discounts, like a special code on your birthday or exclusive member-only promotions. 

Where To Buy Thorne Protein? 

The best place to buy Thorne protein is the Thorne website; especially if you want to take advantage of the rewards program or the additional health quizzes and custom bundles they’ll put together. 

You can also find Thorne protein powder on Amazon.com.

Thorne Alternatives?

Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey

Suppose the key features of Thorne, like third-party testing and high-quality ingredients, are appealing to you, but you want more flavor variety or a lower cost. In that case, I recommend Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Isolate. 

Transparent Labs Whey offers more protein per scoop (28g vs. 21g in Thorne), making it a much better value. 

While the two products may look almost identical in cost ($2.00 vs. $2.07), Transparent Labs Whey provides an extra 7g of protein per serving, which is 33% more protein per scoop.

Transparent Labs also has a sport certification, in this case, Informed Sport and Informed Protein. This is similar to an NSF certification, providing quality and purity reassurances. All of the results of this testing is publicly disclosed on the Transparent Labs website. 

Transparent Labs protein is available in 15 flavor varieties, including an unflavored option.

This is the ideal option for somebody looking for quality and variety in their protein powder.

• Read my complete Transparent Labs Whey Protein Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Thorne Protein Made? 

Thorne protein is manufactured in the USA using US and imported ingredients. 

What Is Thorne’s Shipping Policy? 

Thorne ships internationally, but not all products are available in every country. All retail orders within the continental US receive free ground shipping. Expedited shipping, such as overnight shipping, is available by request, for an additional shipping fee.

What Is Thorne’s Return Policy? 

Thorne offers a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your product you can return it to the authorized retailer you bought it from for refund, exchange, or store credit. If you purchased from the Thorne website, you can contact their Customer Service Department at 800.228.1966.

Is Thorne Third Party Tested? 

Thorne Protein is NSF certified, which means it undergoes some of the strictest third party testing to ensure it’s purity and that the ingredients in the product match what is written on the label. 

Is Thorne Protein Good For Weight Loss? 

Thorne protein is low carb and low calorie, and can be a great way to increase protein intake while in a lower calorie diet. It can also support exercise recovery which can in turn support your body composition goals. On its own, it does not contain specific ingredients to cause weight loss. 

Is Thorne Keto Friendly? 

Thorne is relatively low carb (4g per serving) but it does have added cane juice sugar so keto dieters might opt instead for a very low carb (0-1g per serving) protein powder like Isopure. 

Is Thorne Gluten Free? 

Thorne Protein powder is gluten free. 

What Are The Best Ways To Mix Thorne Protein? 

Thorne protein mixes easily into water or milk with a regular shaker cup (no special mixing ball or whisk required). It can also be stirred into yogurt or oatmeal and blends well smoothies. 

What Flavors Are Available For Thorne Protein? 

Currently, Thorne protein is only available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavor.  

Does Thorne Make You Gain Weight? 

Thorne is very low calorie (100 cals per serving) and won’t likely contribute to weight gain. It can be used as part of a calorie surplus diet and weight lifting program to support recovery and muscle gain. 

Can you use Thorne Protein as A Meal Replacement? 

Thorne Protein on its own isn’t a good option for a meal replacement, since it’s low calorie and exclusively whey isolate (a fast digesting protein). It can be added to things like yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies to make a more well rounded meal. 

When Is The Best Time To Take Thorne?

Thorne can be taken any time of day, but works great as a post-workout protein powder. Take it any time of day as a snack, as part of a meal, or any time of day where extra protein might be desired. 

How To Contact Thorne

You can reach out to customer support Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm CST. You can do this by phone at 1-877-309-3329 or by email at support@theisopurecompany.com 

You can also submit any queries via their contact page, found here.

For a more casual connection, find Isopure active on Facebook, Instagram, X(Twitter) (not updated since 2022), Youtube, and Pinterest.