Nutritional and Functional Importance of Whey Protein in Human Health and Food Applications
Open accessAbstract
Background: Whey protein, a by-product of cheese and casein production, has gained recognition for its nutritional and functional properties. It contains proteins such as β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin, contributing to its use in sports nutrition, weight management, and health supplements. Recent studies have expanded its applications to probiotic development and metabolic health improvements. Methods: This review consolidates findings from key studies on the structural and functional aspects of whey protein. Research focused on its composition, biological activities, and its impact on industrial applications like fermentation and food processing. Results: Whey protein, particularly β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin, has shown positive effects on weight loss, muscle preservation, and metabolic regulation. Studies highlighted its antioxidant and anticancer properties, alongside its potential to enhance probiotic viability. Whey protein supplementation in overweight individuals also improved lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity. Conclusion: Whey protein's versatility extends beyond traditional uses, showing promise in metabolic health, food manufacturing, and probiotic development. Its bioactive properties underscore its importance in both nutritional and industrial applications, warranting further research for optimized health benefits.
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Collagen peptides may stimulate anabolic pathways by providing glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline to support extracellular matrix remodeling and muscle repair.
“Mechanistically, collagen peptides may stimulate anabolic pathways by providing glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline to support extracellular matrix remodeling and muscle repair [269], promote myoblast differentiation and myotube hypertrophy via mTOR activation and extracellular matrix protein synthesis, and stimulate satellite stem cells involved in hypertrophy [268].”
From Nutritional Approaches to Enhance GLP-1 Analogue Therapy in Obesity: A Narrative Review (2025) · cites this paper as [269]
Similar effects were observed in healthy men (increased muscle volume and fat-free mass).
“Similar effects were observed in older adults (≥50 years) with habitual physical activity (reduced body fat) [166], healthy men (increased muscle volume and fat-free mass) [268,269], and middle-aged untrained men, where collagen peptides and WP elicited comparable improvements [270].”
From Nutritional Approaches to Enhance GLP-1 Analogue Therapy in Obesity: A Narrative Review (2025) · cites this paper as [269]
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Nutritional Approaches to Enhance GLP-1 Analogue Therapy in Obesity: A Narrative Review
Dias, D. D., Vasconcelos, A. R., Souza, A. C. R., Menezes, C. D., Silva, I. S. T. E., & Name, J. J. (2025) · Obesities · doi:10.3390/obesities5040088 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
- Authors
- Zafar, S.
- Affiliations
- Changchun University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Saba Zafar
- Venue
- Applied Agriculture Sciences
- Publisher
- Eman Research Publishing LLC
- Published
- 2024-02-01
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-5
- ISSN
- 3066-3407 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4405009838
- Cited by
- 2
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2
- FWCI
- 0.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Applied Agriculture Sciences (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Proteins in Food Systems
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Hydrolysis and Bioactive Peptides
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- whey protein, β-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, sports nutrition, weight management, muscle mass preservation, probiotic viability, antioxidant activity, anticancer properties, metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, cheese by-products, food processing applications
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