High-protein beverages are ready-to-drink liquid products rich in protein. They include dairy-based high-protein drinks formulated or fermented with milk or dairy proteins, plant-based protein drinks made from protein-rich fruits, seeds or kernels, and also composite protein beverages compounded from animal proteins and plant proteins. According to Innova's August 2024 report "Now & Next in Global Functional Beverages", functional beverages are categorized into sports nutrition, dairy, and soft drinks. Among them, ready-to-drink protein beverages in sports nutrition, liquid dairy products and alternative dairy products in dairy products can all be regarded as high-protein beverages. The report points out that the market share of high-protein beverages is growing, with "high protein" claims being the most popular health claims across all functional drinks.

A rich variety of high-protein beverages on the shelves of the freezer in a convenience store in Bangkok, Thailand, photographed by the author

Compared with traditional solaid products such as protein powders, high-protein beverages better meet consumers' need for convenience while satisfying their protein requirements. This convenience is not only about portability and ease of consumption but also about straightforward and immediate use. However, the characteristics of high-protein beverages themselves determine that they have a relatively short shelf life, and are more suitable for cold chain transportation and storage. With the development of social and economic levels, both the demand for and supply of high-protein beverages will increase.

Furthermore, the popularity of high-protein beverages is also influenced by region and dietary culture. In Southeast Asia, for instance, high-protein beverages have a stronger market compared to powdered proteins or shakes. The reasons may be that consumers in tropical areas have a strong need for water replenishment, the ready-to-drink product market is highly mature, and they all have the habit of consuming cold drinks.

Adding extra protein ingredients such as whey protein or plant proteins can increase the protein content of beverages, allowing them to claim "high protein" and attract consumers. Currently, dairy protein, pea protein, and soy protein are the most commonly used protein ingredients in beverages. Innova's report points out that plant proteins are increasingly replacing traditional dairy proteins in the high-protein beverage market, with pea protein now ranking second most added protein after milk protein.

However, RTD beverages have high requirements for protein ingredients. The protein must remain highly soluble and dispersible in the liquid without significant separation or sedimentation over the shelf life. Additionally, as sterilization is often required, the protein must remain stable without denaturing or coagulating post-sterilization. In addition, due to the existence of the isoelectric point, for acidic protein beverages, it is also necessary to avoid the formation of high-strength curds or precipitates at the isoelectric point of proteins.

Beyond animal and plant proteins, microbial-sourced yeast protein holds great potential for high-protein beverages. AngeoPro yeast protein, derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultured and inactivated, is processed to remove most nucleic acids and polysaccharides, resulting in a product containing over 80% protein. Research has shown that yeast protein, like whey and soy isolate proteins, contains all essential amino acids, has high bioavailability, and is considered a high-quality protein. With appropriate food processing techniques, yeast protein can exhibit a mild flavor, good water solubility, and a smooth texture, dispersing evenly and stably in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, it can withstand high temperatures without precipitating or coagulating. Its high thermal stability and broad pH adaptability make it widely applicable in high-protein beverages, promising a strong future and immense potential.

About Angel Human Health：

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Angel Yeast Company is a high-tech listed company specializing in yeast and biotech. Product business covers Yeast and Baking, Yeast Extract-Savoury, Nutrition & Health and Biotechnology fields. It is one of the world's leading companies in the yeast industry. Angel has 12 holding subsidiaries and provides products and services for more than 150 countries and regions.

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