Why prioritise protein?
Protein plays numerous vital roles in maintaining health in the body.1 It aids in repairing and constructing tissues, making hormones and enzymes, regulates bodily functions, and contribues to fluid levels, boosts the immune system, assists in transport and storage of substances in the bloodstream, and serves as an energy reserve when required.2 In short, as protein is helping consumers throughout their lives, the consumer base is huge.
Essential for children to develop
Proteins are building blocks for the body’s structure, as part of cells, hormones and enzymes. They are also essential for immune defenses and proteins, such as albumin, which helps transport various substances around the bloodstream. This means that providing adequate amounts of protein can help children to grow and develop in a healthy way.5
Ella’s parents always pack a shake for her lunch and an extra in case of after-school activities.
Builds and repairs muscles
The body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding protein, and under normal conditions, these processes are usually in balance. When training hard, as an example, resistance exercise, the body increases protein breakdown in muscles. So, for heavy training, it may be necessary to consume more protein to help the muscles repair themselves and grow.6
Michael manages his diet well, but still enjoys a shake after training, for those quick proteins.
Maria’s dietician has designed a menu, including nutrient-rich drinks, designed for her special dietary needs.
A high-protein meal replacement for lunch helps John stick to his diet, without feeling hungry or tired.
Important during menopause
During menopause, hormonal changes, particularly a drop in estrogen, can increase the risk of osteoporosis, leading to a higher likelihood of bone fractures and other musculoskeletal issues. These hormonal shifts may also contribute to muscle loss.10
To maintain strength and muscle mass, it’s important for women to combine resistance training with increased protein intake - a particular challenge for those on plant‑based diets, who must ensure adequate and varied protein sources.11
Elena complements her vegan diet with protein drinks, to make sure she gets what she needs.
Stay active, longer
When growing older, it is important to be more proactive and conscious of health, as the body slowly starts to deteriorate. Protein can help maintain muscle mass, bone density, and overall health, thus supporting an active and independent aging process.
Cho and Yi are determined to stay active, so they look for health claims when they shop for groceries
In the Oliveira family, everyone gets the protein they need through the milk that everyone enjoys in their own way.
1. Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (n.d.) The importance of protein in your diet. Available at: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/media/109513434/importance-of-protein-in-diet-bhp220.pdf (Accessed: 22 July 2025).
2. British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) 2023, ‘Protein’, British Nutrition Foundation, London, viewed 15 July 2025, https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritional-information/protein.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (n.d.) The importance of protein in your diet. Available at: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/media/109513434/importance-of-protein-in-diet-bhp220.pdf (Accessed: 22 July 2025).
NHS Genomics Education Programme (n.d.) Proteins — Knowledge Hub. Genomics Education. Available at: https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/knowledge-hub/proteins/ (Accessed: 22 July 2025).
NHS Scotland (2023) When to Use Human Albumin Solution – Guideline for Practice. NHS Right Decisions. Available at: https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/media/nu1a433h/use-of-human-albumin-solution-30-4-24.pdf (Accessed: 22 July 2025).
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2025) Albumin (Serum) – Pathology Test. Available at: https://laboratories.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/test-directory/albumin-serum/ (Accessed: 22 July 2025).
3. NHS 111 Wales n.d., Vitamins and minerals, NHS 111 Wales Health A-Z. Available at: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/v/article/vitaminsandminerals (accessed 15 July 2025).
4. Source: Ipsos for Tetra Pak Quantitative Survey on Health & Nutrition 2023 (Brazil, US, China, India, South Korea, Kenya, South Africa, Germany, Spain, UK) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/functions-of-protein
5. Calvez, J., Azzout-Marniche, D. & Tomé, D. 2024, ‘Protein quality, nutrition and health’, Frontiers in Nutrition, vol. 11, art. no. 1406618, doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1406618.
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2025) Albumin (Serum) – Pathology Test. Available at: https://laboratories.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/test-directory/albumin-serum/ (Accessed: 22 July 2025).
6. British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) 2023, ‘Protein’, British Nutrition Foundation, London, viewed 15 July 2025, https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritional-information/protein.
Tipton, K.D., Hamilton, D.L. and Gallagher, I.J., 2018. Assessing the role of muscle protein breakdown in response to nutrition and exercise in humans. Sports Medicine, 48(1), pp.53–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0845-5.
7. World Health Organization (WHO), 2020. Healthy diet (Fact Sheet No. 394). Geneva: WHO. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet [Accessed 22 July 2025].
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2015. Coeliac disease: recognition, assessment and management. NICE guideline [NG20]. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20 [Accessed 22 July 2025].
Kanis, J.A., Cooper, C., Rizzoli, R., et al., 2021. European guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 9(11), pp.779–794. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(21)00119-4/fulltext [Accessed 22 July 2025].
NHS, 2023. Obesity. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/ [Accessed 22 July 2025].
British Dietetic Association (BDA), 2023. The Nutrition and Hydration Digest: Menu Coding, Therapeutic Diets and Patient Groups. Birmingham: BDA. Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/practice-and-education/the-nutrition-and-hydration-digest/menu-coding-therapeutic-diets-and-patient-groups.html [Accessed 22 July 2025].
Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Chen, J.L.T. and Kovesdy, C.P., 2020. Medical foods: Legal, regulatory, and medical framework and practical aspects. Nutrition Research, 78, pp.1–9. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.05.010 [Accessed 22 Jul. 2025].
8. Paddon-Jones, D., Westman, E., Mattes, R.D., Wolfe, R.R., Astrup, A. and Westerterp-Plantenga, M., 2008. Protein, weight management, and satiety. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(5), pp.1558S–1561S. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212267216000423 [Accessed 22 July 2025].
9. Van Gaal, L.F., Snyders, D., De Leeuw, I.H. and Bekaert, J.L., 1985. Anthropometric and calorimetric evidence for the protein-sparing effects of a new protein‑supplemented low‑calorie preparation. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 41(3), pp.540–548. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/41.3.540 [Accessed 22 July 2025].
10. Cheng, C.-H., Chen, L.-R. and Chen, K.-H., 2022. Osteoporosis due to hormone imbalance: an overview of the effects of estrogen deficiency and glucocorticoid overuse on bone turnover. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(3), p.1376. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031376 [Accessed 22 July 2025].
11. González-Sánchez, R., et al., 2025. Are plant-based diets detrimental to muscular strength? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine - Open. [e-journal] Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-025-00852-7 [Accessed 22 July 2025].
12. Auestad, N. and Layman, D.K., 2021. Dairy bioactive proteins and peptides: a narrative review. Nutrition Reviews, 79(Suppl_2), pp.36–47. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab097 [Accessed 22 July 2025].
13. Kuesten, C. and Hu, C., 2020. Functional foods and protein supplementation. In: Handbook of Eating and Drinking Reference Work. Springer. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14504-0_175 [Accessed 22 July 2025].