Protein powder is the most popular product in the supplement industry, providing a simple, cost-effective way to introduce more protein into a diet. Protein provides a multitude of benefits to the human body, from muscle building and repair to enzyme and hormone production, transporting minerals and oxygen around the body and the creation of antibodies for the immune system. Natural sources of protein include meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products, plus vegan and vegetarian plant-based options like nuts, legume, soy, beans, and grains. Protein powder is a great option for including a greater concentration of protein into a balanced diet, often used by the fitness community to help build muscle strength and aid muscle repair after exercise. Often mixed into shakes using milk or water, protein powder is also suitable for anybody struggling to get adequate protein from their regular diet.
In terms of nutritional supplements, protein is right at the very top, and the market is huge both in the UK and across the world. The fitness and wellbeing community continues to grow, and so does the demand for extra sources of protein.
Through our private label supplement manufacturing process here at Parkacre, your business can utilise our standard protein formulation for your own range of powdered protein supplements. These standard protein products have been developed by our expert product development team ensuring they are in a class of their own in taste, solubility, and quality. If you want to add your own finishing touches to these products we can collaborate with you and adapt these formulations so they’re perfect for your brand needs.
We have an incredibly experienced and talented product development team who can formulate a unique product to suit the unique needs of you and your target audience. From product formulation right through to end packaging and logistics, we take control of the whole production process, resulting in a finished product that your brand can promote. All products we produce meet regulatory compliance and will be created in our Lincolnshire factory which is GMP compliant and features state-of-the-art machinery.
The most significant ingredient in protein powder blends is the protein source itself, either dairy-based or plant-based. Whey (a byproduct of cheese making) is the most common protein source and provides a high concentration of protein in a powder blend. In terms of plant-based options, there are various, including soy, pea, rice and seeds, which are ground down into powder form to be included in a powder blend that is suitable for vegans.
Most protein powders also include flavourings and sweeteners, designed to improve the taste experience for consumers. Common flavours include milkshake favourites like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and banana, but the choice of flavours on offer has grown exponentially as the market for protein powder has exploded in recent years. Thickeners and emulsifiers are also common in these blends, designed to help the powder mix into shakes.
Digestive enzymes such as amylase, Digezyme, lipase and cellulase may also feature to help with digestion. For blends targeted purely at muscle growth or marketed as post-workout, creatine is often added.
Protein powder is made of concentrated protein sources such as whey, casein, soy, pea or rice. The protein source is processed to remove most of the fat and carbohydrate, leaving just a high-protein powder for supplementary intake. This powder is complimented with flavourings and sweeteners to become palatable, then mixed with water or milk by the end consumer for consumption.
Protein powder provides a concentrated, convenient source of dietary protein, which is designed to support muscle repair and growth, particularly after exercise. People typically use protein powder to meet daily protein targets where getting enough from food alone is difficult, whether that’s through sports nutrition choices or dietary requirements.
Protein powder is made through processing the raw protein source (milk for whey and casein, or soy, pea and rice for plant based options) to concentrate the protein and remove most of the fat and carbohydrates. The resulting protein isolate or concentrate is dried into a powder which is then blended with flavourings before packaging. Parkacre manufactures protein powder blends within our fully integrated facility, from formulation through to finished packaging and delivery.
Protein powder can be very good for you, especially if you struggle to meet your protein needs through diet alone, particularly around exercise.. It isn’t inherently better or worse than protein from whole food, just a more concentrated and convenient way to top up intake.
What is or isn’t the best protein powder depends on your dietary needs and preferences. Whey can be best for fast absorption, casein can be best for slower release and a plant-based option like pea or soy protein can be best for vegans and other people avoiding dairy products. For brands developing a protein powder, the base protein, flavour profile and ingredient quality are the key decisions to make and should reflect your target audience.
