Dr. Jeff Volek, PhD, RD, published a study in 2013 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition that demonstrated whey protein consumption is more effective than soy protein in enhancing lean body mass as part of a resistance exercise training program. This study was welcome news for health-minded consumers trying to improve their overall wellness with whey protein, a complete, high-quality dairy protein. The positive results were achieved at levels that food and beverage manufacturers can readily incorporate into new products that would be convenient to meet consumers' desires.

On April 24, 2015, Volek presented this and further research findings on whey protein's role in optimizing human health, athletic performance and post-exercise recovery at the Korean Society of Exercise Nutrition 35th Spring Congress in Seoul, Korea. In his keynote address, "The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living and Whey Protein," Volek shared how his research has discovered:

• Compared to soy, whey protein is higher in leucine, absorbed quicker and results in a more pronounced increase in muscle protein synthesis.
• Despite consuming similar calories and protein during resistance training, daily supplementation with whey was more effective than soy protein or isocaloric carbohydrate control treatment conditions in promoting gains in lean body mass.
• The low carbohydrate diet has been shown to accelerate the body's ability to access and burn body fat.

This study contributes to the growing body of research showing that high quality dairy proteins have valuable benefits compared to other protein sources.