Our Protein Expertise
Sharing our protein expertise and innovations with the world
Watch: The power behind our proteins for yoghurts1:28
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Watch: The power behind our protein in Sports Nutrition1:50
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Our Protein White Paper Series
Not all proteins are created equal
Science indicates that dairy protein is rapidly digested and stimulates lean muscle growth to a greater extent than any other protein source.
In his latest white paper about the benefits of dairy protein, Fonterra Senior Nutritionist, Aaron Fanning assesses the ability of different dietary proteins to provide us with essential amino acids.
9 essential amino acids your body can’t live without
Dairy is nature’s ultimate source of protein, containing all nine essential amino acids which the body can’t make on its own.
Data from recognised protein quality methods reinforce the high nutritional quality of dairy protein and consolidate the view that protein from dairy sources is an excellent way to meet the body’s protein and essential amino acid requirements. This is especially true for people interested in quality nutrition to support exercise, healthy lifestyles, and keeping active as they age.
Boost the benefit of nutrition
The world is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Economies are growing, global population is expanding and governments and individuals are under pressure around health care.
One major aspect of this global transition is the population’s age. Muscle can make up to 30-40% of bodyweight in a healthy young person (Janssen et al, 2000) but from around 40 years old, the content of muscle declines by 0.4 – 2.6% per year (Mitchell et al,. 2012), which increases the risk of frailty, disability and being less independent as older adults.
Dairy protein can help support muscle maintenance by providing a high quality source of protein that can stimulate muscle metabolism, and promote the retention and growth of muscle.
Burn fat, boost stamina
Obesity is a major health concern worldwide, to the point of being described as a global pandemic. Over two billion people worldwide are classified as overweight or obese, the rates having more than doubled since the 1980s.
A diet rich in dairy protein, in combination with an exercise training programme, helps to optimise fat loss and lean muscle gain providing the desired body composition benefits.
Commit to protein for strong bones
There is a global trend to ageing populations. These demographic changes are being seen first in Germany and Japan, but the number of people over 60 years of age globally will surpass two billion by 2050 (United Nations, 2015) with over billion living in Asia.
A diet containing rich amounts of dairy products - including milk, yoghurt and cheese – can help protect bone health during ageing. In addition, high quality dairy protein ingredients allow the production of dairy fortified foods and beverages that bring the quality of dairy protein and calcium into novel everyday foods.
The range of textures and flavours you can achieve in your cultured products is immense.
Lisa Rutherford, Principal Research Technologist, explains how the team at Fonterra Research and Development Centre combine ingredients to provide optimum solutions for yoghurt applications.