23 Sep 2015
2 min read
Nutri-dense food

Benefits of protein-enriched drinking yogurt in older adults

elderly nutrient protein
Related posts
See More
Our Resources
Table of contents
Table of contents

The daily consumption of protein-enriched bread and drinking yogurt resulted in higher protein intake in acute hospitalized elderly.

Sufficient protein intake is crucial to maintain muscle mass, especially for older adults. Research data showed an insufficient intake of proteins in hospitalized older adults. A single blind randomized controlled trial examined the impact of protein-enriched bread and drinking yogurt on protein intake among 47 hospitalized elderly (> 55 years) in the Netherlands.

Improved protein intake per day

 As part of their daily meal, the subjects received normal (control group) or protein-enriched (intervention group) drinking yogurt and bread during three consecutive days. The protein-enriched bread contained 6.9g proteins per serving, compared to 3.8g for the normal bread. Drinking yogurt contained 20.0g proteins per portion for the intervention group and 7.5g in the control group. Food intake and nutritional value were evaluated according to the Dutch Food Composition Table.

The results showed 1.1g/kg/day of mean protein intake for the intervention subjects, whereby 36% of the group reached the daily minimum recommendations of 1.2g/kg. The control group showed a minimum daily intake of 0.9g/kg and 8% met the requirements. The contribution of proteins in bread and yogurt to improved protein intake was equally in the intervention group.

 Source: Stelten, S. et al., Protein-enriched ‘regular products’ and their effect on protein intake in acute hospitalized older adults; a randomized controlled trial, Clinical Nutrition Journal, June 2015, Vol 34(3), pp. 409-414.