Rosemont, Ill.—A food label is an important resource to many seasoned athletes—especially Olympians. They often are highly educated about the foods they eat and how diet can promote health, improve performance, and reduce injury and fatigue. For example, a trained athlete not only may be aware of the health benefits of dairy products, but also may understand specifically how whey protein improves muscle.
“Athletes are savvy consumers of food products,” says Sharon Gerdes, food technologist and technical support consultant for Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI). “While most consumers recognize that dairy products and ingredients offer protein, vitamins and minerals—such as calcium, trained athletes can tell you that the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in whey proteins can replenish the body and muscles after a workout.”
Protein has always been a key component of an athlete’s diet. Proteins are essential for rebuilding muscle and providing reserve energy. Insufficient protein intake means muscles may not readily repair following exercise-induced damage, and recovery can be incomplete.
Whey protein is the best source of BCAAs, which are the only amino acids that can be oxidized in the muscle, thereby providing immediate energy to athletes. The three amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine possess a structure that lends them to be easily used by athletes.
Whey protein BCAAs have been shown to have a protein-sparing effect in endurance exercise. This would be especially important in endurance sports that last an hour or longer, such as cycling, triathlons and cross-country skiing.
Today, news of the importance of protein as part of a daily diet is reaching beyond athletes. Consumers are increasingly aware of protein’s nutritional value as evidenced by the growing popularity of the sports beverages and bars category. As a result, more and more food companies are showing a heightened interest in developing protein-fortified foods.
“Companies looking for protein fortification can work with whey protein concentrates (WPCs), containing 34% to 80% protein, or whey protein isolates (WPIs) with greater than 90% protein,” says Carolyn Podgurski, dairy ingredients specialist, Dairy Products Technology Center, California Polytechnic State University. “Typical properties include good solubility over a wide pH range, particularly near pH 4.5, the ability to form and stabilize emulsions, water-binding capability, gel-formation properties, whipping and foaming, and viscosity control.”
In general, the more protein, the greater functionality. As a bonus, whey protein’s mild dairy flavor blends well with most products, eliminating the need to hide unwanted flavors.
Much of protein’s recent popularity is due to widespread acceptance and use among seasoned athletes and fitness experts. Celebrity athletes have played a significant role in popularizing nutritional foods and ingredients among mainstream audiences. Athletes often influence food purchases by weekend warriors and everyday consumers. Many people are motivated in their own health and athletic endeavors by people they think of as role models. They set health and fitness goals by watching the diet and exercise habits of their favorite sports star.
Athlete worship is especially prevalent during the Olympic season. Many companies will be turning to current and past Olympians to tout a litany of products from protein-enriched sports bars to underwear. Consider the possibilities of a protein-fortified snack chip, featuring whey protein, endorsed by Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan.
For more information on protein-fortification through dairy ingredients, call the toll-free Technical Support Hotline at 1-800-248-8829.
About Dairy Management Inc.TM (DMI)
Dairy Management Inc.™ is the domestic and international planning and management organization that builds demand for U.S.-produced dairy products on behalf of America’s dairy farmers. DMI and international, state and regional organizations manage the American Dairy Association®, the National Dairy Council® and the U.S. Dairy Export Council®.
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