Moises Torres-Gonzalez, Director of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council, spoke on whey protein’s functional flexibility and range of muscle and body composition benefits at SupplySide West in Las Vegas on Oct. 7. He opened his presentation with an explanation as to why protein is a sought out ingredient by many consumers. 

Recent research indicates 23% of adults are increasing the amount of protein in their daily diets. Torres-Gonzalez says this is due to two main reasons:

• The amount of benefits protein provides to the body
• The flexibility of protein to be incorporated into a variety of food and beverages

Consumers want protein in their meals, snacks and after workouts. This is where the opportunity lies. When protein’s functionality and nutritional benefits are understood, it can be integrated into products consumers want.

Torres-Gonzalez focused on the health positioning of whey protein and the reasons it is suggested over others. Protein quality varies and high-quality, complete proteins contain all the essential amino acids the body needs. Whey protein is one of the highest quality proteins and offers health benefits to consumers of all ages.

Improves Body Composition

Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is a top priority for many. Consuming whey protein in small doses throughout the day can improve body composition by making the body feel fuller, longer. Since whey protein can be incorporated into on-the-go foods and beverages, consumption has never been easier. Whey protein also helps promote the loss of fat during a reduced calorie diet and helps minimize weight gain after weight loss by increasing lean muscle.

Supports Muscles Strength

For the active segment, consuming whey protein in combination with resistance exercise can boost the rate at which the body makes lean muscle. This combination has been shown to be more effective than either separately as well as more effective than the combination of resistance training with carbohydrates and other protein sources. Whey protein also has been shown to reduce muscle soreness when consumed during or after exercise, improve muscle strength and support muscle function and fatigue. These factors are even more important as consumers lose muscle mass and function with age. 

Assists with Healthy Aging

Whey protein is especially valuable for adults. With the aging population growing rapidly, it’s important to encourage adults to start taking action to reduce the risk of sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and function. Sarcopenia can start at the age of 30 and with every decade, lean muscle mass reduces about 3% to 8%. Increasing the intake of whey protein may help maximize lean body mass before it declines and preserve muscle strength.

Because whey protein is a high-quality, rapidly-digestible protein, it can deliver the multiple health benefits protein offers. From sports recovery beverages for the active consumer to nutritious snacks for older adults, whey protein is a convenient option across a variety of foods and beverages.

For more information on whey protein visit http://www.thinkusadairy.org/nutrition and find formulation ideas and our committed U.S. suppliers.