U.S. Dairy Export Council shares protein research at Korean nutrition conference

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) participated in the 2026 Korean Nutrition Society Fall International Conference, focusing on the theme ‘The Future of Protein Foods: Precision Nutrition in the AI Era.’ The session addressed the importance of protein quality and essential amino acid density, particularly for aging populations and individuals using GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

Professor David Church from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences presented on protein quantity and quality tailored to specific populations. He noted that GLP-1 users may experience significant muscle loss, with statistics suggesting 20% to 40% of weight loss can come from lean mass. He recommended using the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) to evaluate protein quality, highlighting that dairy products like whey and milk provide high levels of essential amino acids and leucine to promote muscle synthesis.

Other experts discussed nutritional strategies for sarcopenia and aging. Professor Kim Sun-young from Kyung Hee University emphasized the need for high-quality protein intake during breakfast and lunch to maintain muscle mass in the elderly, while Professor Kim Mo-geon from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies presented research on using AI to discover bioactive peptides derived from dairy for functional food development.