Protein-containing gels are starting to catch on in the sports world. Arla Foods Ingredients has the whey proteins to satisfy sports nutrition needs

Many athletes enjoy the convenience of sports gels when their bodies need extra energy during training. But, while most gels today give a shot of fast-acting carbohydrates, a new trend in protein-carbohydrate gels is emerging and, for that, Arla Foods Ingredients has the ideal whey protein isolate.
LACPRODAN^® DI-9213 is one of an extensive range of whey protein products developed by Arla Foods Ingredients for the sports nutrition sector. Used in gels, the whey protein isolate secures a clear, refreshing quality and a protein content of up to 8%.

Performance-boosting gels
The inclusion of whey protein in sports gel products has several nutritional advantages. Primary is whey protein’s content of all the amino acids necessary for muscle synthesis, promoting efficient muscle recovery and endurance. At the same time, whey increases the insulin response and, thereby, muscle metabolism.

Through the combination of protein and carbohydrate in gels, athletes can increase their muscles’ work capacity and resistance to fatigue. Just what they need when facing a major competitive event like the Olympic Games.
Arla Foods Ingredients today has considerable experience in developing whey protein isolates and hydrolysates for the sports nutrition market and in providing manufacturers with the necessary application support.

High-clarity beverages
Whey proteins for beverages are among the areas of expertise. Here, LACPRODAN^® DI-9213 whey protein isolate (WPI) is a particularly popular choice as, due to the absence of milk fat, it secures high-clarity beverages similar to juice. The WPI’s high calcium content represents another nutritional gain.
For those who depend on high-speed protein absorption, Arla Foods Ingredients offers LACPRODAN^® DI-3065 whey hydrolysate. The optimal combination of amino acids is proven to stimulate an insulin response four times higher than that of intact proteins and can be used in a range of sports nutrition applications.

Chewy protein bars
Most important in developing a successful high-protein product is taste and texture. As in all Arla Foods Ingredients’ work with sports nutrition, this was a major consideration in the development of the protein bar compounds MULTILAC^® 8620 and NUTRILAC^® 8420.
Today these compounds provide the flexible basis for customised protein bar concepts that allow easy incorporation of other functional ingredients, such as vitamins and minerals, and a broad assortment of flavourings. The final protein bar has a great taste and a satisfying chewy texture that does not dry out during storage.
Protein-packed nutrition in the form of gels,
-beverages and bars will be all part of the equipment when the world’s top sportsmen and women pack their bags and head for Beijing this summer. One thing is sure some of them are bound to contain whey proteins from Arla Foods Ingredients.