Protein-fortified beverages for enhanced athletic performance

Abstract

Protein-containing beverages are described. The beverages may include water and 2 wt. % to 8 wt. % protein (based on the total weight of the beverage). The protein in the beverage may include whey protein. The whey protein has at least 12 wt. % of the branched-chain amino acid leucine (based on the total weight of the whey protein). The beverage may also include casein protein. Methods of making protein-containing beverage products are also described. The methods may include providing a protein-containing aqueous mixture, homogenizing and pasteurizing the protein-containing aqueous mixture, and bottling the homogenized and pasteurized protein-containing aqueous mixture to form the protein-containing beverage product. The protein-containing aqueous mixture may include casein protein, and whey protein having at least 12 wt. % leucine (based on the total weight of the whey protein).

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