Proteins for healthy aging : what role do dairy proteins play in the diets of seniors ?
The aging of the world’s population is a reality, and one that is accelerating. According to projections by the United Nations, the proportion of people aged 65 and over is expected to double by 2074, reaching 20.7% of the global population (1). This population growth comes with an increased risk of neurodegenerative, digestive, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the challenge of malnutrition(2).
Faced with this reality, the concept of “aging well” is gradually becoming a major social issue. It reflects the desire to stay healthy for as long as possible through preventive behaviors in which diet plays a key role.
Among the nutritional levers identified, protein emerges as an essential factor for aging well, due to its role in maintaining muscle mass and preventing frailty.
Seniors, a term generally referring to those aged 65 and over, but which can extend to those aged 50 and over, have very specific nutritional needs that must be met through their diet.
Nutrition for seniors: promoting healthy aging
While aging is often associated with a loss of independence, it can also have positive effects, as evidenced by the “blue zones” – regions of the world where people live longer and healthier lives, thanks in particular to dietary habits rooted in local culture.
On a global scale, the aging population is giving rise to a real economy: the silver economy. It encompasses all economic and industrial activities dedicated to people aged 60 and over. This sector is driven by three key objectives: improving quality of life, ensuring independence, and extending healthy life expectancy (3).
In Asia, where the population is aging particularly rapidly, the number of people over the age of 60 is expected to triple by 2050 (4). “Super-aging societies” place seniors at the heart of their economic and social model. Japan is a particularly telling example: networks such as Ageing Asia bring together the players in this economy, and concrete initiatives are emerging, such as restaurants like Kaze no Oto, which offer meals adapted to people with chewing or swallowing difficulties, or boxes of reconstituted milk tailored to the needs of seniors.
In Europe, the silver economy is also booming: it is estimated to be worth more than €60 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach €130 billion in 2030 (5).
Nutrition for seniors: what are the challenges ?
With longer life expectancy, people want to stay healthy for as long as possible, making prevention a key issue as soon as the first signs of aging appear. Seniors are not a homogeneous group: they are generally divided into :
- young seniors (50–60 years old),
- middle-aged seniors (60–70 years old),
- seniors (70–80 years old),
- and older seniors (80 years and older),
each with specific nutritional and physiological needs.
Aging is accompanied by significant changes in the body: progressive loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), decreased ability to absorb nutrients, especially protein, slowing metabolism, and sensory changes that affect appetite. Added to this are chewing and swallowing disorders, which increase the risk of malnutrition, particularly in the elderly.
This is why taking preventive action from the age of 50 appears to be an effective lever: an increasing number of young seniors are voluntarily adapting their diet and lifestyle to limit the effects of aging. Nutrition plays a key role in this approach, particularly when it is varied, tailored to individual needs, and combined with regular physical activity (6).
To compensate for some of these age-related changes, protein requirements increase. This is confirmed by ANSES, which recommends a daily protein intake of 1 g per kg of body weight for seniors, compared to 0.83 g for adults under 60. This highlights the importance of protein-enriched nutritional formulations for healthy aging (7).
Milk proteins and senior nutrition: a winning combination
Among the most effective nutritional levers for healthy aging, proteins play a central role, and among these, dairy proteins stand out for several reasons:
- High biological value: high-quality proteins that contain all the essential amino acids,
- Digestibility: a major advantage in senior nutrition, as the risk of digestive disorders increases with age.
- Satiating properties.
Protein in senior nutrition, yes, but not only!
While proteins are essential, we must not forget the role of lipids in nutrition for seniors : they are a valuable source of energy and should account for between 30 and 35% of total energy intake.
The National Food Council also recommends enriching certain products with fat to increase their energy density without increasing their volume, a useful strategy given the frequent loss of appetite among older people (6).
Eurial dairy proteins for senior nutrition
In this context, Eurial offers a range of protein solutions specially designed to meet the nutritional requirements of seniors.
- Eurimilk 75 PL : a whey protein concentrate with a protein content of 75% that is also rich in phospholipids. It is ideal for use in yogurt-type products.
- Eurinutri MPC85 : a milk protein concentrate with a protein content of 85%. It is ideal for use in high-protein dessert cream formulations.
- Eurimilk 60.1 : a blend with a protein content of 60%. This ingredient is of interest in yogurts: adding this protein solution eliminates the need for draining, thus preventing the loss of water and soluble calcium in the finished product.
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At Eurial I&N, we are convinced that milk proteins have a key role to play in senior nutrition thanks to their quality, digestibility, and satiating effect. Let’s discuss your projects to develop nutritional solutions tailored to their needs.
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- And numerous possible applications.
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References :
- Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population, Vieillissement, Juin 2024
- WHO, 2021
- Economie.gouv, Qu’est-ce que la silver économie ou économie des seniors ?, Juin 2024
- United Organization, 2019
- Xerfi, Les marchés de la silver économie à l’horizon 2028, Décembre 2024
- INRAE, La diversité alimentaire, un atout majeur pour la santé de la personne âgée, Novembre 2021
- ANSES, Les protéines, 2013