Whey protein has long been considered the heavyweight in dairy protein. But while whey protein gets the spotlight, casein protein has its own winning moves. Scroll down to discover the benefits of casein protein and why it could be a knockout healthy snacking or sports nutrition ingredient for your next application.
Scroll to see 4 unique benefits casein protein offers.
Unlike whey protein – which is digested quickly – casein protein provides a more prolonged and steady release of amino acids over time,i providing longer lasting muscle protein synthesis.
Reitelseder et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab , 2011
In fact, casein protein has been shown to stimulate a higher level of muscle protein synthesis
Reitelseder et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab , 2011
compared to whey protein over a 6 hour period.
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
Casein protein’s slow-digesting properties make it the ideal protein to support prolonged muscle recovery overnight,
Gorissen, S.H.M., Crombag, J.J.R., Senden, J.M.G. et al. Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino Acids 50, 1685–1695 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-018-2640-5
helping consumers like endurance athletes recover and perform at their best.
The speed at which protein is digested in our body affects how the body uses it.
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
Milk soluble protein isolate (MSPI or MPI), for example, is a fast-digesting protein which causes a quick release of amino acids into the bloodstream.
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
But the body removes the nitrogen from MSPI faster, leading to more nitrogen loss through urine.
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
Micellar caseins – which have a protein matrix in which calcium phosphate nanoclusters are dispersed – are slower-digested proteins,
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
which result in a more gradual increase in blood amino acids, and less nitrogen loss through urine compared to MSPI. This indicates that the protein is used more efficiently in the body.
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
Calcium caseinate protein boasts higher levels of several essential amino acids – histidine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine – than whey protein.
Gorissen, S.H.M., Crombag, J.J.R., Senden, J.M.G. et al. Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino Acids 50, 1685–1695 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-018-2640-5
These amino acids, as essential amino acids, play an important role in muscle protein synthesis.
Church DD, Hirsch KR, Park S, Kim IY, Gwin JA, Pasiakos SM, Wolfe EE, Ferrando AA. Essential amino acids and protein synthesis: Insights into maximizing the muscle and whole-body response to feeding. Nutrients. 2020 dec 2;12(12):3717. Doi: 10.3390/NU12123717. Pmid: 33276485; Pmcid: PMC7760188.
Sodium caseinate breaks down quickly compared to micellar casein and calcium caseinate for more rapid amino acid delivery, while micellar casein and calcium caseinate digest more slowly for prolonged nutrient release compared to sodium casein protein.
Audrey Boulier, Sylvain Denis, Gwénaële Henry, Sylvie Guérin, Monique Alric, Nathalie Meunier, Adeline Blot, Bruno Pereira, Corinne Malpuech-Brugere, Didier Remond, Yves Boirie, Alain Baniel, Ruddy Richard, Didier Dupont, Gaëlle Boudry, Casein structures differently affect postprandial amino acid delivery through their intra-gastric clotting properties, Food Chemistry, Volume 415,2023,135779, ISSN 0308-8146, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135779.
These differences stem from their intra-gastric clotting properties, directly influencing absorption rates and functional applications in nutrition. This highlights just how versatile different caseinates can be – allowing you to create solutions that offer different nutrient releases for different applications.
Looking for a high-quality healthy snacking or sports nutrition ingredient for your next knockout protein innovation? With more consumers seeking varied, high-performance protein options – casein protein has huge potential to power your next product.
Casein protein offers unique nutritional benefits compared to whey protein, such as more prolonged absorption
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
and muscle support over time.
Lacroix, M., Bos, C., Léonil, J., Airinei, G., Luengo, C., Daré, S., Benamouzig, R., Fouillet, H., Fauquant, J., Tomé, D. and Gaudichon, C. (2006). Compared with casein or total milk protein, digestion of milk soluble proteins is too rapid to sustain the anabolic postprandial amino acid requirement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), pp.1070–1079. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.5.1070.
By not including casein protein in your product line, you could be missing out on a solution that could elevate your offerings, set you apart from competitors and help you meet the growing demand for high-performance nutrition.
Discover the benefits of casein protein and download the brochure now.
Other proteins have had their time in the spotlight – now, it’s time for casein protein to enter the ring.
Ready to innovate with a sports nutrition ingredient that supports prolonged protein absorption and great tasting formulations? Click on the drop down menu to request a sample.
Excellion® EM 9 is a roller dried milk protein type fresh curd calcium caseinate, prepared from fresh skimmed milk. It is used in a wide range of food products like protein bars and nutritional beverages.
Excellion® Textpro is a newly designed ingredient specifically developed for use in high protein bars. This ingredient contributes to a softer texture and reduces product hardening throughout shelf life up to 12 months. Excellion® Textpro works best in combination with our Nutri Whey range and enables bar manufacturers to create a new range of good tasting, low sugar bars with a protein content up to 40%.
Excellion® Calcium Caseinate S is a spray dried milk protein, type fresh curd caseinate, prepared from fresh skimmed milk. It is used in dietetic, sport and health drinks, medical formulas as well as in (cultured) dairy products.
Excellion® Calcium Caseinate A is a spray dried and instantiized milk protein, type fresh curd caseinate, prepared from fresh skimmed milk. It is used in dietetic, sport and health foods, slimming and geriatric formulas.
Excellion® Calcium Caseinate I is a spray dried milk protein, type fresh curd caseinate, prepared from fresh skimmed milk. It is used in dietetic, sport and health drinks, medical formulas as well as in (cultured) dairy products.
Excellion® EM 7 is a very pure roller dried milk protein, type fresh curd sodium caseinate, prepared from fresh skimmed milk. It’s a versatile product, used as a protein enricher and stabiliser.
Excellion® Magnesium Caseinate S is a spray dried milk protein, type fresh curd caseinate, prepared from fresh skimmed milk. It is used in clinical, enteral formulas, sports and functional foods.
Excellion® Potassium Caseinate S is a spray dried milk protein, type fresh curd caseinate, prepared from fresh skimmed milk. Excellion Potassium Caseinate S is used as emulsifier, stabilizer and protein enricher in liquid nutritional formulas like medical nutrition and health food products. It is very heat stable, powerful emulsifier with superb solubility.
Excellion® Sodium Caseinate S is a spray dried milk protein, prepared from fresh
skimmed milk. Excellion® Sodium Caseinate S has a high protein content and a low
lactose level. It has an excellent heat stability combined with unique mineral binder
properties, making it an ideal ingredient for safe, shelf stable, tube and sip feed
formulations.
"*" indicates required fields
Discover the prolonged absorption champion: casein protein
Read moreWhy use casein protein in your next performance and active nutrition innovation?
Read more"*" indicates required fields