IFF’s isolated soy protein Supro matches whey protein in muscle gain in Brazil study

04 Nov 2021 --- IFF’s isolated soy protein Supro has been found to have the same effects on muscle gains and strength as whey protein, according to a new study carried out in Brazil.

“Until recently, whey protein was believed to be the optimal choice of protein. This new research from the university proves that soy protein supports the muscle just as well when supplemented with a plant-based diet,” says Barbara Peters, nutrition scientist at IFF.

According to the findings, regardless of dietary preferences, Supro could contribute to muscle mass and strength for both plant-based and meat-eaters.

Different diets, same outcome
The study carried out at the University of São Paulo had 38 men participating, of which 19 were omnivores and 19 were vegans. Their mean age was 25, and for three months, they had two weekly training sessions. 

As part of the research, their diets were adjusted to include 1.6 g of protein per kilogram of body weight. The omnivore group had supplemental whey added to their diet, while the vegan group had Supro. 

Data was collected both before and after the research for leg lean mass, whole muscle and muscle fiber cross-sectional areas. Both groups were found to have equal gains in muscle mass and strength, according to the study.

“With a vegan group showing the same muscle gains as whey protein, it does give us a different message about this specific population,” Peters notes. The source of protein does not seem to affect resistance training results, according to the study.

Expanding soy protein
The results from the study could encourage greater use of isolated soy protein in broader categories such as dietary supplements and performance nutrition products, explains Eduardo Wongtschowski, regional product manager for proteins for IFF, Latin America.

“In addition to its functional and nutritional benefits, isolated soy protein delivers excellent flavor performance and is a good economic alternative to dairy proteins,” he notes.

“We are talking about a high-performance soy protein with a quality comparable to dairy protein such as whey. Our muscles require amino acids to serve as the building blocks to build and repair after exercise.”

Research into whey protein alternatives has garnered significant attention in the last year, with cricket protein even touted as a potential alternative. A study by Protein Rebel suggested that this novel food source could offer faster and higher rates of protein digestion than traditional whey.

Sports nutrition supplements have seen a boom, particularly since the onset of COVID-19, which caused people to exercise more. Experts noted that 56% of consumers had increased their sports nutrition supplement use in the beginning of June 2020, compared to six weeks prior. In 2021, 34% of consumers increased their sports supplement use, Lonza noted.

With increased demand, DSM observed the sports nutrition market has begun to diversify with heightened appeal of the plant-based positioning. 

Edited by Andria Kades