Dairy has long been synonymous with bone health thanks to its rich calcium content. But emerging research now spotlights dairy’s unexpected benefits in areas like mental and cognitive wellbeing too.
Components in dairy foods including proteins, vitamins and minerals appear supportive of optimal nervous system functioning while showing protective effects on age-related mental decline. As global demographics shift towards more elderly populations, maintaining sharp cognition for longer through modifiable lifestyle factors like nutrition becomes pivotal.
In this article, we analyze key nutrients and bioactives within dairy that scientifically demonstrate brain and mental boosting properties. We also showcase ingredient leader Ingredia’s custom dairy solutions targeting enhanced cognitive health for all generations.
The Brain Benefits of Dairy
From energetic toddlers to wise seniors, optimal dairy intake correlates with and likely supports aspects of mental acuity across life stages. Here are key research insights on dairy components that influence brain and cognition positively:
Higher milk consumption is associated with lowered risks and delayed onset of age-related neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases that gradually diminish mental capacity.
Better nerve conduction
Essential minerals like phosphorus play crucial roles in neuron signaling while vitamins like B12 control homocysteine levels that can otherwise damage nerves. Dairy provides these key nutrients for optimal nerve health.
Enhanced learning & development
Milk proteins contain amino acids like tryptophan that synthesize serotonin neurotransmitters regulating mood, learning and social behaviors. These support cognitive development in early life.
But which unique components generate these cognitive perks? And how can we obtain them easily? Let’s analyze the compounds and mechanisms in play.
Dairy Nutrients Benefiting Cognition
The nutritional richness of dairy spanning proteins, vitamins,healthy fats and micronutrients contributes to diverse aspects of cognitive health, development and aging across life stages:
Brain Building Proteins
Milk proteins provide amino acid building blocks like tryptophan and tyrosine – precursors that synthesize key neurotransmitters essential for focus, alertness and learning capabilities. Whey protein specifically enhances cognition.
Nerve Protecting Vitamins
B vitamins including B12 and B6 support neurological function and nerve cell synthesis. Vitamin A protects against cognitive decline while vitamin D influences hundreds of brain signaling pathways.
Blood Flow Supporting Fats
Healthy medium chain and omega-3 fatty acids in dairy improve blood vessel elasticity and stimulate microcirculation to the brain for improved oxygen/nutrient flow supporting neural transmission.
Antioxidant Minerals
Rich antioxidant minerals like zinc, selenium and iron prevent oxidative damage of brain cells from toxins while phosphorus facilitates nerve signal transmission for sharper mental reflexes and recall.
In totality, the nourishing mix of complete proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals uniquely found in quality dairy combine to nurture mental processes – from growing young minds to preserving cognition in maturing brains.
Ingredia Targets Brain Bioactives
Stress is a major factor that can negatively impact cognitive function, particularly as we age. Chronic stress has been linked to a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Fortunately, global ingredient pioneer Ingredia has developed a unique solution to combat stress and support brain health: Lactium.
Lactium is a patented milk protein hydrolysate that has been clinically proven to reduce stress and promote relaxation. It works by modulating the body’s stress response, helping to lower cortisol levels and improve overall mental well-being. By reducing stress, Lactium may also help to protect against cognitive decline later in life.
Ingredia produces Lactium using advanced separation technology and custom standardization processes. This ensures that the final product is of the highest quality and purity, with optimal concentrations of key bioactive peptides. Lactium can be easily incorporated into a variety of functional food and beverage applications, making it an ideal ingredient for products targeting stress relief and cognitive health.
As global aging trends drive demand for proactive brain health solutions, Ingredia is at the forefront of innovation in this space. By harnessing the power of dairy bioactives like Lactium, Ingredia is helping to unlock the full potential of dairy as a source of cognitive health ingredients. With a deep commitment to R&D and a focus on science-backed solutions, Ingredia is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for effective stress relief and cognitive health products in the years to come.
Milk and dairy products have been part of the human diet for thousands of years. However, over the last few decades, dairy has come under scrutiny by certain communities due to digestibility issues, allergy concerns and animal welfare debates. Yet when we take a step back to examine the science, dairy and its myriad ingredient forms offer undisputed nutritional advantages that are hard to replace in our diets.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the health benefits of different dairy ingredients, why they’re an essential part of balanced nutrition and how ingredient innovation company Ingredia is spearheading access to clinically-backed dairy bioactive ingredients. Let’s rediscover why quality dairy should still have a place in healthy regimens today.
The Nutritional Goodness in Dairy
At its core, dairy is a nutritionally dense food group packed with essential macronutrients, micronutrients and diverse bioactive compounds that synergize to support human health.
Complete Proteins
Dairy proteins like casein and whey provide all nine essential amino acids the body cannot synthesize itself. These complete proteins are critical for building and maintaining muscle mass. Milk proteins have higher bioavailability and digestive properties than plant-based proteins too.
Bone-strengthening Minerals
Rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D, dairy is crucial for bone development and strength especially in children and adolescents. The optimal calcium-to-phosphorus ratios promote better absorption and bone mineralization. Just one cup of milk meets 30% of your daily calcium needs.
Disease-fighting Micronutrients
Natural dairy micronutrients like zinc, selenium and vitamin A boost immunity against diseases. Low-fat milk is a top food source for vitamin B12, which aids red blood cell formation and brain function. As an animal-based food, dairy also contains more readily absorbed forms of iron than plant foods.
Gut and Heart Health
Probiotics in fermented dairy promote friendly gut bacteria linked to numerous health perks from immunity to mood and weight management. Dairy fats like conjugated linoleic acid and omega 3 also support heart health when consumed in moderation as part of balanced diets.
The multitude of micro and macronutrients that dairy products naturally contain is difficult to obtain as completely or economically from other foods.Fortified plant-based alternatives often fail to replicate the nutritional diversity in dairy.
Ingredient Innovation Unlocks Dairy’s Full Potential
While whole dairy foods themselves bring tremendous nutritional value to diets, advancing technology in dairy ingredients is unlocking even more targeted health benefits.
Through advanced separation processes like microfiltration, companies like Ingredia generate milk protein concentrate and isolates that contain exceptionally high concentrations of muscle-building whey and casein proteins. These allow lactoferrin to be derived with precision.
These bioactive macro components and micro fractions target physiological areas from gut health to immune support to sports performance in clinically supported ways. By value adding milk components in this manner, we expand access to very specific dairy nutrients in more concentrated and absorbable forms. Below are a few examples.
Lactium® – The Relaxation Peptide
Lactium® is a casein hydrolysate clinically demonstrated to induce relaxation and improve stress-related symptoms. Sourced from milk casein proteins, Lactium® contains alpha-casozepine as the key bioactive peptide.
Multiple randomized, double-blind human trials found daily Lactium® supplementation substantially decreased stress and anxiety while enhancing sleep quality in people with chronic stress. Lactium®, thanks to the decapeptide, can bind to the GABAa receptor via the benzodiazepine site to optimize its action and regulate our response to stress. By dampening reactions to stimuli like loud noises, exam stress or work overload, Lactium® helps maintain healthy stress levels so we stay relaxed.
Beyond direct anti-stress effects, Lactium® also alleviates sleep deprivation, which typically accompanies high-strung lifestyles. Formulated into many different applications, this clinically validated relaxation ingredient has broad spectrum benefits for today’s fatigue-fighting consumers.
Pep2Dia® – Blood Sugar Optimizer
Pep2Dia® is an enzymatic whey protein hydrolysate specifically designed to manage blood sugar spikes after carb-heavy meals. This fast-acting peptide complex contains bioactive dipeptides proven to inhibit the enzyme alpha-glucosidase.
As this digestive enzyme converts complex carbs into simple sugars, temporarily blocking alpha-glucosidase activity using Pep2Dia® attenuates the degree of post-meal blood glucose spikes. A double blind peer-reviewed study confirms Pep2Dia’s efficacy.
By smoothing out these glycemic peaks, Pep2Dia® maintains healthier blood sugar fluctuations. This is particularly beneficial for prediabetics and those with insulin sensitivity concerns. Backed by clinical evidence, Pep2Dia® delivers accessible and drug-free blood sugar management.
Prodiet® Lactoferrin – Immune Strengthener
Prodiet® Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein naturally found in milk and a key component of Ingredia’s scientifically validated immune health ingredient range. As a multifunctional protein, lactoferrin exhibits potent antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties essential for bolstering frontline defenses.
Numerous clinical studies confirm Prodiet® Lactoferrin’s efficacy in reducing the incidence and severity of common infectious illnesses. Daily lactoferrin supplementation significantly lowers the risk of viral infections like the common cold and influenza, while also shortening the duration of symptoms. By enhancing the activity of natural killer cells and stimulating antibody production, lactoferrin primes the immune system for rapid response against pathogenic invaders.
Scientific literature on Prodiet® Lactoferrin’s mechanisms of action reveals its unique ability to sequester iron, an essential nutrient for bacterial growth. This iron-binding capacity starves harmful bacteria and prevents their proliferation. Furthermore, lactoferrin modulates inflammation by regulating cytokine production, thereby preventing excessive inflammatory responses that can cause tissue damage.
With a substantial body of scientific evidence supporting its immune-enhancing effects, Prodiet® Lactoferrin is a research-backed ingredient that strengthens the body’s natural defense mechanisms. By bolstering immune function through multiple complementary pathways, lactoferrin offers a comprehensive approach to fortifying resistance against common illnesses.
Redefining Dairy’s Role in Health
The possibilities of what dairy can do for health expand exponentially when we move beyond seeing milk and cheese as just calcium sources into highly specialized compounds verified to optimize immunity, digestive health, athletic performance and more backed by rigorous clinical research.
Ingredient manufacturers like Ingredia redefine dairy from generic staple into targeted health promoter via high technology nutrition science. In providing readily absorbable protein microfractions, immunoactive peptides and clinically trialed compounds, they elevate dairy’s significance in preventive healthcare and therapeutic areas.
By spearheading research and delivering efficacious ingredients far beyond basic nutrition needs, Ingredia pushes boundaries for dairy in precision nutrition. Their expanding arrays now bridge proven solutions not just for stress reduction but also metabolic health, gut immunity and overall well being backed by peer reviewed validation at every step.
This signals an approaching paradigm shift which repositions dairy ingredients in food tech – from a nice-to-have component to an indispensable input for functional nutrition targeting pressing health issues based on uncompromised science.
Rather than write off dairy as outdated or unnecessary, ingredient innovations demand we re-evaluate them as indispensable inputs advancing formulas, products and functional solutions that precision deliver clinically proven health advantages unmatched by other categories.
America isn’t immune anymore. 3.4 million Americans had to go to the hospital due to an infectious or parasitic disease in 2018.
If you want to avoid a lengthy hospital stay, you should try to boost your immune system naturally. One of the best ways to boost your immune system is to eat healthy foods. But not every fruit and vegetable is going to help you fight off colds.
What foods boost your immune system? Why do these foods help your immune system? How can you incorporate these foods into your diet?
Answer these questions, and you can master how to boost your immune system in no time. Here is your quick guide.
Citrus Fruits
Ask someone about foods that boost your immune system, and they’ll probably talk to you about citrus fruits. Oranges, lemons, and limes contain high amounts of vitamin C, which produces white blood cells. White blood cells fight off infections in all parts of the body and decrease inflammation.
Try to eat an orange every day. You can also squeeze lemons or limes over grilled or roasted meat for added flavor.
Berries
Blueberries have anthocyanin, which is an antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and bolster the immune response in the upper respiratory system. If blueberries are too tart for you, you can try mulberries and black chokeberries.
Elderberries are a traditional folk remedy for the common cold. They contain anthocyanin alongside potassium, which regulates how cells receive signals from the immune system. You can find elderberries at most grocery stores, and you can forage for them in the fall.
If you want to try a new fruit, you can eat acai berries. Acai berries are rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins. They contain pits, so be careful when eating them.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a probiotic food, meaning it contains bacteria that can stimulate your immune system. It also contains vitamin D, which can boost the immune system against viruses and bacteria.
Try to find plain yogurt, as many sweetened yogurts contain added sugars that can weaken your immune system. You can combine berries and yogurt with nuts to make a parfait, which can serve as a breakfast or snack.
Garlic
Garlic is another home remedy for colds and infections. It can also lower your blood pressure and slow down inflammation and hardening in the arteries.
Garlic contains allicin, a chemical compound that kills bacteria. Allicin is sulfuric, meaning that garlic can have a very strong flavor. You can saute garlic or sprinkle it into sauces to cut down on the taste.
Ginger
You may take ginger pills or ginger extract to reduce stomach discomfort or indigestion. You can eat pieces of ginger or drink ginger juice to boost your immune system as well. A 2020 meta-analysis of 109 studies found that ginger can help with inflammation, diabetes, and cancer.
If the flavor of ginger is too intense for you, you can make a smoothie out of it. You can use almond milk, orange juice, or green tea as a base. You can combine chopped ginger with spinach leaves, carrots, citrus fruits, and other ingredients.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice common in Indian and South Asian dishes. It can clean your respiratory tract, removing viruses and bacteria in your nose and mouth. It also has curcumin, a chemical compound that relieves the stress response during infections.
Turmeric has a flavor akin to black pepper, so you should use it sparingly. You can sprinkle some turmeric into a vegetable curry or a soup. Many curry mixes contain turmeric in them, so read the ingredients label to see if turmeric is already in yours.
Seafood
Oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can mitigate rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Try to eat salmon and tuna at least once a week.
Shellfish also has immune benefits because it has zinc, which replenishes immune cells. Try to eat oysters, crab, and lobster. You can eat raw oysters, but you should select cooked crabmeat and lobster.
Poultry
Chicken and turkey have vitamin B-6, which forms new red blood cells and triggers chemical reactions that increase immune responses. Eating just a few ounces of chicken can give you your daily recommended amount of B-6.
If you like soup, you can make stock out of boiled chicken bones. Bones contain gelatin and chondroitin, which repair cells in your intestines.
Dairy
One of the healthy benefits of dairy foods is that it bolsters the immune system. Milk contains high amounts of zinc alongside vitamins A and D. If you don’t like the taste of milk, you can eat cheese instead.
Try to select dairy products that have probiotic bacteria in them. Probiotic dairy foods include kefir and feta cheese.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate has theobromine, an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals. The body produces free radicals when it encounters pathogens and breaks down food, so dark chocolate may be most effective after big meals.
Chocolate can contain high amounts of saturated fat and sugar, so find a low-fat version. You can eat dark chocolate bars, or you can melt the chocolate down and dip berries into it.
So What Foods Boost Your Immune System?
A lot of people have questions about their immune systems. What foods boost your immune system?
Citrus fruits, berries, and yogurt are three of the biggest boosters. They contain antioxidants that preserve blood cells and support the respiratory system.
But you can also get vitamins from spices like ginger and turmeric. If you want protein, you can have poultry, shellfish, and dairy. Try to eat a balanced diet with dishes that contain natural ingredients.Keep learning about healthy foods and practices. Ingredia provides premium health and wellness guides. Read our guide on naturally lowering your blood sugar today.
After conducting 9 clinical studies on more than 500 people, we wanted to address the primary goal of all our customers, consumer satisfaction.
Last year: – We have recruited 300 people worldwide in three regions: the United States, France and China. – We applied rigorous methodologies using validated questionnaires and partnered with BioMerieux for well-known expertise in this area. – These 300 people were asked to try Lactium® at 300 mg/day for 30 days, either as a sign of stress or as a sign of sleep disorders.
We are proud to announce that we are getting results and that our overall satisfaction score is 78%. It is fairly evenly categorized as follows:
78% in the stress indication
and 77% in the sleep disturbance indication.
Contact us for more information on this study and how to use it!
Dairy products are a type of food produced from the milk of mammals, most typically cows, and include milk, yogurt, and cheese. According to studies, humans have been consuming milk for around 6,000 years. While there is ongoing debate in some quarters over whether consuming dairy products is good or bad for your health, there is no denying the health benefits of dairy.
Of course, not all dairy foods have been created equally. For example, here at Ingredia, we create higher-quality dairy ingredients through cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. That way, you will reap more of the benefits of consuming milk and other dairy products in an ethical and sustainable way.
In this blog post, we will highlight seven benefits of consuming dairy foods in your diet.
1. Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes In the United States, it is estimated that more than 34 million people have diabetes, with the vast majority having type 2 diabetes. This equates to around one in every 10 Americans and can develop at any age. Consuming dairy products can help to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Dairy improves insulin sensitivity which enhances our bodies ability to regular blood sugar levels. Studies highlight how consuming more dairy products can lead to a significantly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Even if you are already diabetic, dairy products are recommended. Dairy products with a low glycemic index are beneficial as they are a positive source of nutrients without affecting blood sugar control.
2. High Nutrient Content Put simply, dairy products are highly nutritious. A single cup of milk (237 ml) contains a range of nutrients. These include calcium (28% of the recommended daily intake), vitamin D (24% of RDI), riboflavin (26% of RDI), and vitamin B12 (18% of RDI).
Other key vitamins and minerals found in dairy products include magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin A. It is worth pointing out that dairy from grass-fed cows will be more nutritious than other sources of dairy.
Milk is also regarded as a complete protein, meaning it has all of the nine essential amino acids needed in the body. Dairy products are typically high in protein, a key nutrient that helps in the repairing of cells, regulation of the immune system, and muscle development.
3. Lower Risk of Obesity and Weight Gain A number of studies have highlighted the link between dairy consumption and a lower risk of obesity. Given that dairy products have high levels of protein, which has the effect of making you feel fuller after eating, you are less inclined to overeat and consume too many calories.
Dairy consumption can help to increase our bodies’ lean body mass and reduce body fat. Another study looking at diary consumption in children and young adults highlighted that there is no association between dairy products and obesity.
4. Improve Gut Health Fermented dairy products are closely associated with benefiting our gut’s health. Fermented foods that contain live cultures add beneficial bacteria to our digestive tracts and aid digestion and gut barrier function.
Products such as yogurt are easily available sources of probiotics, which can help to maintain the natural balance of our guts’ microbiota. While an often overlooked benefit of consuming dairy products, improving gut health is a strong positive linked to regular consumption of dairy.
5. Get a Better Night’s Sleep In this non-stop, 24/7 modern lifestyle, it can be very difficult for humans to get enough quality sleep. Sleep is an essential function, allowing our minds and bodies to recharge and stave off illness.
Thankfully, dairy products contain a number of compounds that are known to support healthy sleep cycles. A number of studies have demonstrated the link between the consumption of dairy products like milk and a restful night’s sleep.
Tryptophan and melatonin, two compounds found in dairy products, are believed to be linked to helping you fall asleep. It is also believed that routinely consuming dairy products before bed is beneficial, as a calming bedtime ritual.
6. Improved Bone Health We all know that dairy is an excellent source of calcium. A diet that is rich in calcium helps to improve our bones’ overall health and a lower chance of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a health condition that can weaken bones and make them more likely to break. This condition generally develops over a number of years and can be offset by a diet rich in milk and other dairy products.
7. Improved Dental Health As highlighted already, dairy products are high in calcium and phosphorous. These two minerals work together to strengthen our enamel, helping to keep our teeth strong and healthy. Regular consumption of dairy is also good for our gum health and can lead to a lower incidence of gum disease. In children, dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are encouraged to help boost teeth health and growth.
Discover the Health Benefits of Dairy Products Yourself As this blog post highlights, there is a wide range of important health benefits linked to the regular consumption of dairy products. Dairy products are high in essential nutrients such as calcium and are closely linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. They are also linked to improved sleep, gut health, bone health, and stronger teeth.
Since 2009, Ingredia has been creating higher-quality dairy ingredients in the US. Our clinically-approved dairy ingredients provide all kinds of health and lifestyle benefits. With our products, you can boost immunity and digestive health, regulate blood sugar levels, and promote muscle and bone health.
Check out our activities here to discover the health benefits of dairy and learn more about why Ingredia is your partner in health.
Special thanks to Sylvanie Seret and our experts, who guided us throughout the process.
What is Pep2Dia®?
Pep2Dia® is a patented whey protein hydrolysate containing an active dipeptide AP, designed for people willing to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Among them are glucose intolerant or prediabetic people, a healthy population with glycaemia levels irregularly above normal and with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The peptide AP acts as an inhibitor of the α-glucosidase, thus lowers glucose absorption into the blood stream.
Pep2Dia®’s safety validated by NDI registration
Pep2Dia®’s toxicity was evaluated, both acutely (dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight) and sub chronically (90 days at dose levels up to 1000mg/kg body weight/day). In both studies, no toxicological effects were observed.
Previously, Pep2Dia® had proven its efficacy in clinical studies (2019) in glucose intolerant volunteers, at a dose of 1400 mg to be taken daily before lunch for 6 weeks as a supplement. It has successfully decreased their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Pep2Dia® thus lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
More news for Pep2Dia®
Our most recent clinical study (2020) proves Pep2Dia®’s efficacy at a dose of 700 mg before meals, on glucose intolerant people.
The future of type 2 diabetes market
In 2019, 375 million people worldwide were at risk of getting type 2 diabetes. 80% of those prediabetic people will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years if nothing is done [1].
In the US, about 88 million adults had prediabetes in 2018 with 67% of them being 45 or older.
Only 15.3% of them were aware of it and according to Centers for Diseases Control, the percentage who had ever been told by a health care professional that they had prediabetes has doubled over the 2005-2016 period [2].
Knowing prediabetes is a reversible state, this high prevalence makes prevention all the more crucial.
This website is intended to provide information about Ingredia’s bioactive ingredients to food supplement professionals and health professionals and is not designed for the general public.
As our ingredients are marketed in a large number of countries, it is the responsibility of each of our customers to ensure that the use of the ingredient and any claim made in the labeling or advertising of the ingredient comply with the applicable rules and regulations.
