GB2522112A

GB2522112A - Food compositions

Info

Publication number: GB2522112A
Application number: GB1420345.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Richard Barratt
Original assignee: Grenade UK Ltd
Current assignee: Grenade UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-15
Filing date: 2014-11-17
Publication date: 2015-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-17
Also published as: EP2873331A1; EP2873331B1; PL2873331T3; GB201420345D0; ES2667705T3; GB2522112B

Abstract

The invention provides a food composition comprising whey protein isolate and non denatured casein, wherein the amount of whey protein isolate relative to non denatured casein is in a ratio of from 1:1.5 to 1.5:1. In preferred embodiments the ratio is 1:1. Preferably, the food composition is a powdered beverage wherein the total protein content of the powder is 80% or more. The food composition may be used as a health supplement and/or body building supplement and may in particular be used to increase the amount of muscle mass in the body or to increase the strength of existing body muscles. The composition provides an initial peak of essential amino acids in the blood from the faster digesting whey protein, followed by a longer term drip-feed or essential amino acids by virtue of the slower digesting casein.

Description

FOOD COMPOSITIONS

Field of the Invention

S This invention rdates to food compositions, in particular heafth and/or body building food compositions, methods of making food compositions and their use. The food composition of the present invention is intended to be a food supplement. It may. for example, be a health supplement and/or body building supplement.

Background to the Invention

Appropriate nutrient intake is an important aspect of maintaining and improving heahh and fitness, Body building relies on the nutrient suppkments that can help to provide the energy and protein needed to build and maintain muscle mass.

Commonly, a powdered formu'ation of nutrients, for exanipe comprising whey protein is&ate, is mixed with milk to form a protein shake. These protein shakes are consumed regularly by people who are exercising and body building in order to boost the nutrients available to their body in the post work-out recovery phase.

Achieving the correct bdance of nutrients is important to ensure that the body has everything it needs to recover and build muscle efficiently. Whey protein. casein, branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) and glutamine are examples of commonly used heahh and body building supplements where they are considered important to provide sufficient essential amino acids during muscle growth and maintenance, However some supplements can fail to achieve the right balance, resulting in lower nutrient availability and wastage of excess nutrients. Therefore, an aim of the present invention is to provide an improved food composition for maintaining and building musde mass,

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a food composition comprising whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein, wherein the amount of whey protein isolate relative to non-denatured casein is in a weight ratio of from about 11.5 to about 15:1.

Advantageously, the composition of the invention provides an ideal ratio of whey protein to casein. which is superior for nutrient provision when compared to taking either whey protein or casein on its own.

In particular, consumption of the composition of the present invention provides an initial peak of essential amino acids in the blood to trigger the protein synthesis (muscle building) process, by virtue of the amount of whey protein provided in the composition, al1d then a longer term "drip-feed" of essential amino acids to continue the protein synthesis and prevent the protein catabolism is provided, by virtue of the amount of casein provided in the composition.

Surprisingly, a whey and casein combination provides significant gains in lean muscle relative to whey protein combined with BCAAs and glutamine, despite there being fewer essential amino acids and glutamine.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of the food composition according to the invention as a health supplement and/or body building supplement.

The use of the food composition according to the invention may comprise use to increase the amount of musck mass in the body or to increase the strength of existing body muscles. It may in particular be that the use is to increase the amount of lean muscle mass in the body.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a food composition comprising the steps of: providing non-denatured casein and providing whey protein isolate, in any order; and mixing the non-denatured casein with the whey protein isolate in a ratio of from about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1.

Optionally, one or more additional ingredients, such as flavourings, colourings and/or preservatives, may be added. This may be at any stage in the method, It is possible for additional ingredients to be added at more than one stage in the method.

S The food composition of the present invention is intended to be a food snpplement. It may. for example, be a health supplement and/or body building supplement, Therefore it is a product that is used in addition to the nutrition obtained by meals. The product supplcments a person's normal dict.

As noted above, body building relies on the nutrient supplements that can help to provide the energy and protein needed to build and maintain muscle mass, Therefore a body building supplement provides additional nutrients, supplemental to those consumed in a person's daflv diet, to assist with providing the energy and protein needed to build and maintain muscle mass, Achieving the correct balance of nutrients is important to ensure that the body has everything it needs to recover and build musde efficienfly, e.g. to provide sufficient essential amino acids during muscle growth and maintenance, There is therefore a desire for supplements to achieve the right balance, so as to avoid lower nutrient availability and wastage of excess nutrients.

The food composition of the present invention is intended to be a protein supplement.

Thus it supplements the protein in a person's normal daily diet. It is consumed in addition to meals. It does not replace meals, Therefore it will be appreciated that the food composition of the present invention is not a meal replacement product. A meal replacement product is one where the composition of such products is such that it is presented as a replacement for one or more meals of the daily diet. A meal rep'acement product must therefore have a composition so as to fulfil a corresponding proportion of the dafly nutritional requirements for essential nutrients for the type of person for whom it is intended, For example, EU Commission Directive 96R/EC of 26 February 1996 on foods intended for use in energy-restricted diets for weight reduction sets out, in Annex 1. a specification regarding the essential composition of foods for energy restricted Diets which, when used as instructed by the manufactureL replace the whole or part of the total dafly diet.

For example. it is required that the protein contained in such a med replacement S product shall provide not less than 25% and not more than 50% of the total energy of the product. Therefore a food composition in which protein provides more than 50% of the total energy of the product is not a meal replacement product according to this Directive.

The abovementioned provisions on protein refer to a protein the chemical index of which is equal to that of the FAO/WHO (1985) reference protein given in Annex 2 of said EU Commission Directive 9618/EC of 26 February 1996. If the chemical index is lower than 100% of the reference protein, the minimum protein levels shaH be correspondingly increased. In any case the chemical index of the protein shall at least be equal to 80% of that of the reference protein. In this regard the chemical index' means the lowest of the ratios between the quantity of each essential amino acid of the test protein in and the quantity of each corresponding amino acid of the reference protein, In the present invention, the purpose of the composition is to provide a protein suppkment, rather than to provide a balance of food groups, e.g. a b&ance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. in a meal replacement product there is a balance of food groups, and in particular there is a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

In a meal replacement product, there would be a significant amount of carbohydrates, For example, a meal replacement product may be such that the total carbohydrate content of the product (by weight) is 25% or more, such as 30% or more. In contrast, a protein supplement, such as the food composition of the invention. may be such that the total carbohydrate content of the composition (by weight) is 20% or less, such as 1S% or less, or I 0% or kss, In addition, in a protein supplcment, such as the food composition of the invention, may be such that the total fat content of the composition (by weight) is I 5% or less, such as I 0% or less, or 5% or less, In the present invention, the protein may suitably provide 60% or more of the total energy of the product, such as 65% or more, or 70% or more, or 80% or more, or 90% or more.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A key aspect of the invention is the weight ratio of the two proteins within the composition. In this regard, the weight ratio of whey protein isolate relative to non-denatured casein is from about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1 In one embodiment the weight ratio of whey protein isolate relative to non-denatured casein is from about 1:1.5 up to about 1.3:1. In one embodiment it is from about 1:1.3 up to about 1,5:1, In one embodiment of the invention the weight ratio of whey protein isolate relative to non-denatured easein may be from about I:1.4 to about 1.4: I, or from about I: 1.3 to about 1.3:1. In one embodiment it is from about 1:1,25 to about 1.25:1. Tn one embodiment it is from about 1:1.2 to about 1,2:1, It may be from about 1:1,1 to about 1,2:1 or it may be from about 1:1,2 to about 1,1:1, The weight ratio may, for examp'e, suitably be from about 1: 1,1 to about 1.!: I. The ratio may be about 1:1, e.g. it may be 1:1 within a margin of plus or minus 5%. or within a margin of pius or minus 3%, or within a margin of pius or minus 2%. or within a margin of plus or minus 1%.

In some compositions of the invention the ratio may be exactly 1:1.

It has been found to be particu'arly beneficial to have this whey and casein combination, The combination in a ratio of 1:1 or close to I: I provides significant gains in lean muscle. In particular, the consumption of the composition of the invention may provide much greater gains in lean muscle in the user's body than consumption of whey protein combined with BCAAs and gutamine.

The composition of the invention is a food composition. Thus all components within the composition must be safe for humans to ingest. The composition is intended to be edible by humans.

S The composition is specificafly intended for human consumption and is particularly intended to be suitable for consumption by adult males and females, most particularly adult males and females who are looking to improve their body muscle mass and/or the strength of their body muscles.

In one embodiment, the total protein content of the composition (by weight) may be 40% or more. 45% or more, 50% or more, or 55% or more of the composition. For example, the total protein content of the composition may be from 50% to 99% of the composition, or from 50% to 95% of the composition, or from 55% to 90% of the composition.

The food composition is intended to be a protein supplement. Therefore the composition should ideafly be, in the majority, formed of protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the total protein content of the composition is 60% or more, such as 65% or more or 66% or morc: in some cmbodiments it may cvcn be 70% or more, or 75% or more of the composition.

For example, the total protein content of the composition may be from 60% to 90% of the composition, or from 60% to 85% of the composition. or from 60% to 80% of the composition.

In one embodiment, the total protcin contcnt of thc composition is from 65% to 90% of the composition, or from 65% to 85% of the composition, or from 65% to 80% of the composition.

In one preferred embodiment, the total protein content of the composition is from 70% to 90% of the composition, or from 75% to 90% of thc composition. or from 75% to 85% of the composition.

The total protein content of the composition may, in one optional embodiment, be 80% or more; it may even be 85% or more, or 90% or more. 95% or more of the composition. It can even be that the total protein content of the composition makes up 98% or more, 99% or more, or even 99.5% or more of the composition.

Depending on the desired nature of the product, the composition may comprise non protein ingredients in an amount of from 0.5 to 60%, such as from 1 to 55% or from 2 to 50% or from S to 50%. In one embodiment the composition may comprise non protein ingredients in an amount of from 5 to 45%, such as from 10 to 40% or from 15 to 35%.

In one preferred embodiment, the total non-protein content of the composition is from 10% to 35% of the composition. especially from 10% to 30% of the composition, e.g. from 10 to 25% of the composition or from 15 to 25% of the composition.

In the present invention it is intended that the whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein are the sole sources of protein in the composition. Of course, minor amounts or trace levels of other sources of protein could be included without altering the essence of the invention, but the invention is based on the significance of using two specific proteins, whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein, as the sources of protein in a specific ratio of from about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1.

Thus it is preferred that the sources of protein in the composition consist essentially of whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein, In one embodiment the whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein form at least 90% or more, such as 92% or more, 94% or more, 95% or more. 98% or more, or 99% or more, of the protein content of the composition. For example. the whey protein iso'ate and non-denatured casein may form from 90% to I 00%, such as from 95 to 100 % or from 98 to 100% of the protein content of the composition.

In one preferred embodiment the whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein form from 99 to 100% of the protein content of the composition. In one preferred embodiment the whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein form at least 99.5% or more of the protein content of the composition, such as 99.8% or more or 99.9% or more.

In one embodiment, the total protein content of the composition may comprise from S about 40 to 60% whey isolate and from about 40 to 60% non-denatured casein. with the total amount of protein of course adding to 100%.

In one such embodiment, the total protein content of the composition may comprise from about 42 to 60% whey isolate and from about 40 to 58% non-denatured casein.

In another such embodiment, the total protein content of the composition may comprise from about 40 to 58% whey isolate and from about 42 to 60% non-denatured casein.

In another slLch embodiment, the total protein content of the composition may comprise from about 45 to 60% whey isolate and from about 40 to 55% non-denatured case in.

In another such embodiment, the total protein content of the composition may comprise from about 40 to 55% whey isolate and from about 45 to 60% non-denatured casein.

The total protein content of the composition may comprise about 50% whey isolate and about 50% non-denatured casein, The protein content of the composition may comprise about 60% whey isolate and about 40% non-denatured casein, The protein content of the composition may comprise about 40% whey isolate and about 60% non-denatured casein. The protein content of the composition may comprise about 55% whey isolate and about 45% non-denatured casein. The protein content of the composition may comprise about 45% whey isolate and about 55% non-denatured casein.

In one stutable embodiment of the invention, the total protein content of the composition comprises from about 45 to 55% whey isolate and from about 45 to 55% non-denatured casein, e.g. from about 48 to 52% whey is&ate and from about 48 to 52% non-denatured cascin.

The composition may comprise at least 3Og of whey isolate per 100 grams of composition, for example 3 ig or more, or 32g or more, or 33g or more. It may be that in some embodiments the composition comprises 33g or more of whey isolate per 100 grams of composition, for example 36g or more, or 37g or more, or 38g or more. In one embodiment there is from 30g to 50g of whey isolate per 100 grams of composition. slLch as from 3 Ig to 48g or from 32g to 45g or from 33g to 43g.

The composition may comprise at east 3Og of non-denatured casein per 100 grams of composition, for example 3 ig or more, or 32g or more, or 33g or more. It may be that in some embodiments the composition comprises 35g or more of non-denatured easein per 100 grams of composition for example 36g or more. or 37g or more, or 38g or more. In one embodiment there is from 30g to SOg of non-denatured casein per 100 grams of composition, such as from 31g to 48g or from 32g to 45g or from 33g to 43g.

The composition may comprise at kast 3Og of whey isolate and 3Og of non-denatured casein per tOO grams of composition, for example 32g or more of whey isolate and 32g or more of non-denatured casein, There may, for example, be from 30g to 50g of whey isolate and from 30g to 50g of non-denatured casein. such as from 32g to 45g of whey iso'ate and from 32g to 45g of non-denatured easein, or from 33g to 43g of whey isolate and from 33g to 43g of non-denatured casein.

Whilst the composition of the invention is referenced as a food composition it will be appreciated that the person using the composition may choose to eat or drink the composition. For example, it may be eaten as a tablet or capsule, which may be swallowed or chewed, or it may be provided as a powder or granules that are to be swaflowed, Alternatively, it may be drunk as a liquid; this may be provided to the person in ready-to-drink liquid form or may be prepared by mixing the composition, provided in the form of powder or granules or the like, with water or any other consumable liquid.

In a preferred embodiment the composition is intended to be consumed by being drunk. whether by virtue of the composition being provided in liquid form (ready-to-drink) or being provided in the form of a solid that is to be mixed with (dissolved or suspended in) a liquid before consumption.

The composition may, therefore, be provided as a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The S composition may suitaMy be a solid, such as powder, granules, or solid peflets, or combinations thereof. Alternatively the composition may be a tablet or capsule. The composition may, in one embodiment, be a dry powder.

The solid composition, e.g. powder, granules, or solid pellets, may be provided in a form to be mixed with a liquid, in particular, the solid composition, e.g. the powder, granules. or solid pellets, may be provided in a form to be dissolved or suspended in a liquid. The liquid may be water, or may be a water-based product, e.g. milk or juice.

Preferably the liquid is water, The water could be tap water or spring water or deionised water or tonic water or soda water; in general any form of water from any source can be used provided that the water is potable.

Thus the product of the invention may be a powdered composition that simply requires mixing with water to form a drink that includes the proteins dissolved or suspended in the water, Where the composition is a liquid or gel, it suitably is based on an aqueous solvent or carrier. The aqueous solvent or carrier may, for example, be water. This could be tap water or spring water or deionised water or tonic water or soda water; in general any form can be used provided that the water is potabk.

In one embodiment the food composition is provided as a liquid product in which the proteins are provided in suspended or dissolved form, e.g. a water-based liquid which may suitably be of the type known in the art as a shake.

Thus the product of the invention may be a ready-to-drink drink that includes the proteins dissolved or suspended in an aqueous liquid, The aqueous liquid may, for example, be water. This could be tap water or spring water or deionised water or tonic water or soda water; in general any form can be used provided that the water is

potable.

H

The non-denatured casein may be in a form such that it will form micellar casein when in an aqueous environment. Where the food composition is provided as a liquid or gel, the non-denatnred casein may comprise micellar casein, S The term micellar casein' is commordy used in the body-buUding field to denote a form of casein that either is in the form of micellcs or that will form micelles when in an aqueous environment. However, to avoid confusion in the present specification the term is only used when the casein actually is in the form of micclles. In scientific terms, miceflar casein is a cluster of non-denatured casein inoecues, which form into a micelle in an aqueous environment (e.g. micelles having a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic surface).

Thus it will be appreciated that the non-denatured casein used in the present invention is preferably either in an aqueous environment and is in the form of micelles or is not in an aqueous cnvironment but is in a form slLch that it will form micelles when it is in an aqueous environment, e.g. when mixed with water.

The non-denatured casein may be ultrafiltered non-denatured cascin. The ultrafiltration may be ultrafiltration at low temperature. such as a non-denaturing temperature, room-temperature, or less. Ultrafiltration (UF) may be considered a variety of membrane filtration in which hydrostatic pressure forces a liquid against a semi-permeable membrane. The non-denatured cascin may be provided by low-temperature ultrafiltration of milk. The milk may be organic or non organic.

The non-denatured casein may suitably be a purified form of non-denatured casein, e.g. a purified form of non-denatured casein that has been obtained by low-temperature ultrafiltration of milk, where less desirable fat fractions have been reduced and/or where the protein content has been increased. Preferably fat fractions have been reduced and the protein content has been increased. In generaL it will be appreciated that by reducing the content of fat the percentage of protein in the remaining product, as a percentage, will have increased provided that no additional components/diluents arc addcd. For example, fat fractions may have been reduced by I % or more or 5% or more or 10% or more or 20% or more. The protein content may have been increased by 1% or more or 5% or more or 10% or more or 20% or more.

The non-denatured casein may have been purified by a process selected from Cross Flow Micro filtration (CFM®) ultra filtration (UF), micro filtration (MF), reverse osmosis (RO). dynamic membrane filtration (DMF). ion exchange chromatography, (TEC). electro-ultrafiltration (EU), radial flow chromatography (RFC) or nano S filtration (NF). or combinations thereof, The whey protein isolate may be obtained from a whey starting material as obtained after milk has been curdled and straincd. Thc milk may be organic or non organic.

The whey protein isolate may suitably be a purified form of whey, where less desirable fat fractions have becn reduced and/or protein content increased, Preferably fat fractions have been reduced and the protein content has been increased. In general, it will be appreciated that by reducing the content of fat the percentage of protein in the remaining product, as a percentage, will have increased provided that no additional components/diluents are added. For example, fat fractions may have been reduced by 1% or more or 5% or more or 10% or more or 20% or more. The protein content may have been increased by 1% or more or 5% or more or 10% or more or 20% or more, The whey protein isolate may have been purified by a process selected from Cross Flow Micro filtration (CFM®) ultra filtration (UF), micro filtration (TVIF), reverse osmosis (RU), dynamic membrane filtration (DMF), ion exchange chromatography, (IEC). electro-ultrafiltration (EU), radial flow chromatography (RFC) or nano filtration (NF). or combinations thereof For example. the CFM® processing method uses a low temperature micro filtration techniques that allows for the production of very high whey protein contents (>90%), the retention of important subfractions, low fat and lactose contents.

The whey isolate may comprise hydrolysed peptides of whey protein.

The whey protein isolate may be of non-human mammalian origin, The whey protein isolate may be from bovine origin, such as from cow's milk. The whey protein isolate may, however, be derived from other animal origin, such as from the milk of goat or sheep or camel.

The non-denatured casein may be of non-human mammalian origin. The non- denatured casein may be from bovine origin, such as from COW'S mflk, The non-denatured casein may, however, be derived from other animal origin, such as from the milk of goat or sheep or camel.

The composition of the invention may comprise one or more further ingredients in addition to protein.

The one or more further ingredients may be selected from the group comprising fiavourings and sweeteners; flavour enhancers, including salt; thickeners, stabilisers and gelling agents; colourings; preservatives: foaming agents; vitamins and minerals; emulsifiers; fibre; oils and non-dairy creamers; and combinations thereof In one embodiment the one or more further ingredients may be selected from the group comprising flavourings and sweeteners; flavour enhancers, including salt; thickeners, stabilisers and geHing agents; colourings; vitamins and minera's; fibre; oils and non-dairy creamers; and combinations thereof.

Examples of flavourings and sweeteners include cocoa powder, vanilla, caramel, sucralose. saccharin. polydextrose and stevia. Examples of thickeners/stabilisers include starches, such as tapioca starch, and natural gums, such as xanthan or agar.

Polydextrose may also be used as a thickener/stabiliser. Examples of oils and non-dairy creamer ingredients include fractionated palm oil, sunflower oil, sodium caseinate. soy lecithin and corn syrup solids, Examples of fibre ingredients indude resistant dextrin (fibersol) and glucomannan. Examples of colourings include natural food dyes such as caramel coloring (E150), annatto (E160b), coehineal (E120), betanin (E162) or beetroot powder, and saffron (E160a). Examples of vitamins and minerals include vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and magnesium.

In general, the skifled person will be aware of food additives that can be used in food compositions. The Codex Alimentarius, C/ass Names and the Internationa/ Numbering System fbr Food Additives, sets out food additives from which the skilled person would be able to select, including examples of flavourings and sweeteners; flavour enhancers, including salt; thickeners, stabilisers and gefling agents; co'ourings; preservatives: foaming agents; vitamins and minerals; emulsifiers; fibre; and oils and non-dairy creamers.

The composition comprises two active protein sources. namely the whey isolate and S the non-denatured casein, Therefore the composition wiH comprise amino acids.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises one or more amino acids selected from: Tryptophan; Threonine; Isoleucine; Leucine; Lysine; Methionine: Cystine; Phenylalanine; Tyrosine; Valine; and Histidine, In one embodiment, two or more, or three or more, or four or more, or five or more of these amino acids are present. In one embodiment all of these amino acids are present.

In one embodiment. the composition comprises one or more amino acids selected from: Manine; Arginine; Aspartic acid; Cysteine; Ghjtamic acid; Glycine; Histidine; Isoleucine; Leucine; Lysine; Methionine; Phenylaanine; Proline; Serine; Threonine; Tryptophan; Tyrosine; and Valine.

In one embodiment, two or more, or three or more, or four or more or five or more of these amino acids are present. In one embodiment, all of these amino acids are present.

The composition may optionafly also inc'ude taurine. Whilst not an amino acid in the usual biochemical meaning of the term, it is a derivative of cysteine and has a role in many biological processes. Therefore in some instances it may be chosen to include taurine. However, in other embodiments taurine is not present.

The composition may be provided in solid form and may be provided with instructions to mix the composition with liquid. to form a drink. The instructions may refer to the use of an aqueous liquid, such as water, The instructions may, for example, instruct that a portion of the composition, which may be 20 to 50g. e.g. 25 to 45g. such as 30 to 40g. be mixed with an amount of water (e.g. tOO to 250m1 water, such as ISO to 200m1 water) to disso've/suspend the composition and form a drink.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of the food composition according to the invention herein as a health suppkment and/or body building supplement.

As discussed above. surprising'y the consumption of the composition by adults has been found to lead to significant gains in lean muscle. In particular, the consumption of the composition of the invention may provide much greater gains in lean muscle in the user's body than consumption of whey protein combined with BCAAs and g I ut am inc.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a food composition comprising: mixing non-denatured casein with whey protein iso'ate in a ratio of between about 1:1.5 and about 1.5:1, and optionally mixing additional ingredients.

In particular, the method involves the steps of: providing non-denatured casein and providing whey protein isolate; and mixing the non-denatured casein with the whey protein isolate in a ratio of from about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1; and optionally mixing additional ingredients. such as flavourings. colourings and/or preservatives.

Optional ingredients and the two proteins may be combined in any order. For example, optiona' ingredients could be mixed with the non-denatured casein before then mixing with the whey isolate, or vice-versa, The non-denatured casein and whey protein isolate could be mixed together before optional ingredients are added.

It will be appreciated that the optional ingredients do not all need to be added at the same time and therefore some could be mixed with the non-denatured casein and/or some could be mixed with the whey protein isolate and/or sonic could be mixed with the combined non-denatured casein and whey protein isolate.

The method may further comprise the step of combining hquid with the proteins. The liquid and the proteins (and any optional ingredients) may be combined in any order, For example, the liquid could be mixed with the non-denatured casein before then mixing with the whey isolate, or vice-versa. The non-denatured casein and whey protein isolate could be mixed together before the liquid is added.

The liquid must be suitabk for use in a food product. The hquid is preferably an S aqueous liquid, such as water. The water could be tap water or spring water or deioniscd water or tonic water or soda water in general any form of water from any source can be used provided that the water is potable.

In gener&, in the present apphcation, where reference is made to amounts these are with reference to weight, unless specifically stated otherwise, The skilled person will understand that optional features of one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be applicable, where appropriate, to other embodiments or aspects of the invention.

Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of

example only.

Exanipk powder compositions: Total portion size: 35g Vanilla flavour 14,5 g whey protein isolate 14.5 g micellar cascin 1.77 g polydextrose 1,75 g creamer (fractionated palm oil) 0,94 g flavour 0,67 g resistant dextrin (fibersol) 0.53 g tapioca starch 0.28 g xanthan gum 0,06 g sucralose Cookies flavour 14,3 g whey protein iso'ate 14,3 g micellar casein 177 g polydextrose 175 g creamer (fractionated palm oil) 1,34 g flavour 0.67 g resistant dextrin (fibersol) 0.53 g tapioca starch 0,28 g xanthan gum 0,06 g sucralose Strawberry flavour 14,3 g whey protein isolate 14,3 g micellar casein 1.77 g polydextrose g creamer (fractionated palm oil) I g flavour 0,67 g resistant dextrin (fibersol) 0,53 g tapioca starch 0.28 g xanthan gum 0,24 g colour (beetroot powder) 006 g sucralose Chocolate flavour 13,6 g whey protein isolate 13,6 g micellar casein 2.1 g cocoa powder 1.05 g polydextrose 1,75 g creamer (fractionated palm oil) 1,4 g flavour 0,67 g resistant dextrin (fibersol) 0.49 g tapioca starch 0.28 g xanthan gum 0,06 g sueralose For consumption, a 35g portion of the powder composition is added to 250m1 drinking water and is mixed/shaken vigorous'y to form a beverage.

Quantities and portions may be varied, provided that the amount of whey protein S iso'ate relative to non-denatured casein is in a ratio of from about L 1.5 to about 15:1.

All ingredients apart from the whey protein isolate and micellar casein are optional.

The beverage may be drunk at any time of day, induding before exercise, after exercise, and before bedtime.

Use of the compositions of the invention, including the combination of the two proteins in a 1: I ratio, gives rise to a more potent muscle-buflding effect in the four hours after a weight-training session as compared to whey protein alone.

Claims

CLAIMS1, A food composition comprising whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein, wherein the amount of whey protein iso'ate relative to non-denatured casein is in a S ratio of from about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1.
2. The food composition according to claim 1. wherein the ratio is: (a) from about 1:1.3 to about 1.3:1: or (b) from about 1:1.2 to about 12:1.
3, The food composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ratio is from about 1:1.1 to about 1.1:1.
4, The food composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is a solid, an aqueous liquid or an aqueous gel.
5, The food composition according to claim 4, wherein the composition is: (a) a solid and the non-denatured casein forms micellar casein when in an aqueous environment; or (b) the composition is a powder; or (c) an aqueous liquid or aqueous ge and the non-denatured casein is in the form of micellar casein.
6, The food composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the whey protein isolate and/or non-denatured casein are: (a) non-human mammalian in origin; or (b) from bovine origin.
7, The food composition according to any preceding claim. wherein the total protein content of the composition is 50% or more of the composition by weight.
8. The food composition according to claim 7, wherein the total protein content of the composition is 60% or more of the composition by weight.
9. The food composition according to claim 8 wherein the total protein content of the composition is 70% or more of the composition by weight.
10, The food composition according to claim 9, wherein the tota' protein content of the composition is 75% or more of the composition by weight.
11. The food composition according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the total protein content of the composition is 80% or more of the composition by weight.

12, The food composition according to claim 11, wherein the total protein content of the composition is: (a) 85% or more: or (b) 90% or more; or (c) 95% or more; of the composition by weight.

13, The food composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition comprises non-protein ingredients in an amount of: (a) from 0.5 to 25%; or (b) from 10 to 25%; or (c) from IS to 25?/o; of the composition by weight 14, The food composition according to any preceding daim, wherein the whey protein isolate and non-denatured casein form from 95 to 100% by weight of the total protein content of the composition.15. The food composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more ingredient selected from the group consisting of: flavourings and sweeteners; flavour enhancers. induding sa't; thickeners, stabilisers and gefling agents; colourings; preservatives; foaming agents; vitamins and minerals; emulsifiers; fibre; oil and non-dairy creamers; and combinations thereof.16, The food composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is a health supplement and/or body building supplement.17, Use of the food composition according to any preceding claim as a health supplement and/or body building supplement.18. Use according to claim 17, wherein the use is to increase the amount of muscle mass in the body or to increase the strength of existing body muscles.19. Use according to claim 18, wherein the use is to increase the amount of lean muscle mass in the body.20, A method of manufacturing a food composition comprising: mixing non-denatured casein with whey protein isolate in a ratio of from about 1:1.5 to about 1,5:1, 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the ratio is: (a) from about 1:1.3 to about 13: I; or (b) from about 1:1,2 to about 1.2:1.22, The method according to claim 20 or claim 21, further comprising the step of mixing liquid with the proteins.