How Whey Proteins Survive Our Stomach: A closer look

Did you know that the proteins in cow's milk can help keep you healthy? But first, they have to make it through your stomach and intestines intact. Scientists wanted to see how well proteins like beta-lactoglobulin and lactoferrin survive the journey. They used fancy tools like LC-MS/MS and SDS-PAGE to watch what happens. In one test, they mimicked stomach conditions and found that about half of these proteins stayed strong. But when they moved into the small intestine, things got tougher. Most proteins broke down, both in the lab tests and when volunteers drank whey protein powder. Interestingly, the protein survival pattern was quite similar between the lab and real-life tests. Understanding which proteins make it through can help us figure out their true benefits in our body. Maybe one day, we can even find ways to make them stronger!