Arla’s new BLG protein boosts patient recovery

Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a high-performance beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) solution designed to transform the medical nutrition sector by offering patients a more palatable and convenient way to consume essential protein.

The new ingredient, Lacprodan BLG-100 Acidic, is a whey protein specifically developed for ready-to-stir powder applications. It arrives as a timely solution for the healthcare industry, where up to 50% of hospital patients suffer from malnutrition—a condition linked to increased mortality, longer hospital stays, and spiralling healthcare costs.

A significant hurdle in clinical recovery is patient compliance; global surveys indicate that half of all patients fail to follow their medical nutrition plans, often citing the heavy, milky texture and unappealing taste of standard supplements.

Unlike traditional supplements that are often viscous and difficult to digest for those with reduced appetites, Lacprodan BLG-100 Acidic offers a refreshing, juice-style alternative. It provides 10g of high-quality protein per 100ml serving with low astringency, no bitterness, and a low-viscosity mouthfeel that avoids the “heavy” sensation of neutral pH milky drinks.

From a manufacturing and caregiver perspective, the ingredient’s primary advantage is its superior solubility. The powder can be mixed into both warm and cold liquids using just a spoon — dissolving in 30 seconds without clumping or requiring a shaker.

This flexibility allows the protein to be integrated into a wide variety of everyday foods and beverages, including:

• Juice-style drinks: a refreshing, clear alternative to milky RTDs.
• Fortified foods: can be stirred directly into porridge, soups, or milk.
• Flexible Dosing: allows patients to adjust the final volume by varying water amounts, making it easier to meet specific daily prescriptions.

Nutritionally, BLG-100 Acidic is rich in all nine essential amino acids. Most notably, it is high in leucine, the primary amino acid responsible for stimulating muscle protein synthesis. This is critical for patients at risk of sarcopenia (muscle loss) during long-term illness or recovery.

“Too many hospital patients lack the nutrition to support their recovery,” said Mads Dyrvig, head of sales development, Specialised Nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients. “Lacprodan BLG-100 Acidic creates new opportunities for appealing foods and beverages for special medical purposes, enabling nourishing, varied, and convenient options for reduced appetites.”

To demonstrate the ingredient’s potential, Arla has developed two concepts for the trade: a unique ready-to-stir juice-style drink (the first of its kind on the market) and a complete milky beverage that offers a lighter, more refreshing alternative to existing market leaders.