Protein shakes might soon get a powerful upgrade. A new study has found that adding a special blend of protease enzymes to whey protein not only speeds up the release of key amino acids into the bloodstream but may also help curb hunger. In tests with healthy young adults, those who drank enzyme-enhanced protein had higher levels of essential and branched-chain amino acids within an hour—nutrients crucial for muscle recovery and growth.
Surprisingly, the benefits didn’t stop at muscle fuel. Participants also reported feeling fuller and more satisfied, while their levels of ghrelin—the hormone that drives hunger—dropped significantly. Although the enzymes didn’t change blood sugar, insulin, or how much food people ate at their next meal, the findings hint at a new role for enzyme-fortified protein shakes: supporting both performance and appetite control. Researchers say larger, long-term studies are needed, but the early results are promising for athletes and anyone looking to get more out of their protein.
Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1582946/full
