Whey and milk protein ingredients were included in more new product launches in 2014 than in 2013, and beverages are among the key applications. This new Dairy Detective column explores how beverages infused with dairy proteins are in high demand and embody nutritional benefits to consumers of all ages.

Products supporting health and wellness continue to gain momentum among U.S. consumers influencing their purchasing decisions. It’s also why on-the-go beverages providing high-quality nutrients are in demand.  

Protein increasingly appears in new beverage options as a solution to meeting the daily recommended amount of protein and satisfying the need for easy consumption. Dairy proteins have grown considerably among other proteins because of their advantages in functionality, flavor and nutrition. Dairy proteins also can be used to create new forms and flavors of beverages to match many different lifestyles.

The consumption of high-quality dairy proteins provides an array of benefits. It can assist consumers in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing muscle loss with aging and improving muscle recovery after exercise. Sport beverages, smoothies and other beverages that feature dairy proteins are better equipped to offer the nutrition required for longer, more active lives.

For more details on the benefits of incorporating dairy proteins into beverages, download the Dairy Detective column, published in the October 2015 issue of Dairy Foods magazine, written by Susan Larson, associate researcher at the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin.