1. Milk works in many ways www.salwe.fi
Whey protein found in milk has high nutritional value and contains many essential amino acids as well
as other health-promoting compounds. The Finnish milk processor Valio is studying the importance of
whey protein in weight management and its effects on sleep and stress.
It is well known that whey protein promotes mus- ricate. In addition, it contains plenty of other health-
cle growth and it has long been a popular dietary promoting compounds such as antibodies and growth
supplement among sportspeople, not only for muscle agents,” says Anu Turpeinen, Research Manager of
building but also because it has been found to speed Valio.
recovery after sporting performance. In fact, whey and
its individual protein components probably have many “Compared with most other proteins, whey is absorbed
other positive impacts on health and well-being. faster and better by the body, so its nutrients work
effectively.”
“Whey accounts for about 20 percent of the total
protein content of bovine milk, second only to casein. “Milk is the result of nature’s own design, and it pro-
Whey protein is nutritionally valuable, with many es- vides human nourishment in the best possible way,
sential amino acids that the human body cannot fab- compared with all other proteins,” she adds.
SalWe - Strategic Center for Science, Technology and Innovation in Health and Well-being

2. “Thanks to nature’s own design,
milk provides the optimal human
nourishment.”
Anu Turpeinen, Valio Ltd
Impacts on weight management and sleep “Valio aims to use the research results in develop-
If whey protein is compared to other natural protein ing production technology for health-promoting
sources, it contains the most tryptophan, an amino foods based on whey protein. The new products will
acid that the body converts into serotonin and mela- complement the company’s broad existing portfo-
tonin, which regulate the circadian rhythm, mood and lio of functional foods, spearheaded by products
appetite. based on its lactose-free technology and probiotic
products containing Lactobacillus GG (LGG). The
Because of the neurotransmitters that it forms, whey foods under development correspond to the global
protein may have an effect on weight management, protein trend.”
body composition, stress and alertness. The Mind and
Body Programme of SalWe includes research into these
effects of whey protein.
“The SalWe programme offers an excellent platform
for broad cooperation between different research par-
ties. Clinical trials in whey protein research are being
carried out by the universities of Helsinki, Jyväskylä
and Kuopio in 2011 – 2013,” Anu Turpeinen notes.
Valio and its research partners are jointly planning the
More information
shape and execution of research. The clinical studies
Saara Hassinen
are exploring the short and long-term effects of whey managing director
protein on voluntary test subjects. Short-term in this SalWe Ltd
case means a few hours and long-term several months. saara.hassinen@salwe.fi
+358 40 5311 661
Anu Turpeinen
research manager
Valio Ltd
anu.turpeinen@valio.fi
+358 50 398 1108
SalWe - Strategic Center for Science, Technology and Innovation in Health and Well-being