How the rise of weight-loss medications is reshaping the food industry – and how brands can lead with next-generation protein innovation.
A Shift in Eating Habits – and in Food Innovation
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are changing the way people eat. As these treatments help reduce appetite, consumers are naturally choosing more nutrient-dense, high-protein options – and turning away from sugary snacks and ultra-processed foods.
This shift is creating a new frontier in food innovation. For brands, the opportunity is clear: design smarter, functional foods that meet evolving needs around weight management, satiety, and muscle health.
The Challenge: Muscle Loss on GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 therapies are effective for weight loss – but a significant portion of that loss comes from lean body mass. Studies report that 20–40% of total weight loss may be lean mass, depending on population, drug type, and measurement methods (Diabetes Obes Metab, 2024; Diabetes Obes Metab, 2024). The most comprehensive evidence to date – a 2025 network meta-analysis of 22 RCTs involving 2,258 participants – found that approximately 25% of weight lost was from lean mass (Metabolism, 2025).
Loss of muscle isn’t just about strength – it reduces metabolic rate, impairs physical performance, and may increase the risk of weight regain.
The solution? High-quality, leucine-rich protein to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and help preserve lean mass during weight loss.
Beta-Lactoglobulin – Powered by Precision Fermentation
At 21st.BIO, we enable companies to produce BLG Essential+™, a high-purity beta-lactoglobulin made using precision fermentation. This approach is animal-free, sustainable, and scalable – delivering consistent protein quality while dramatically reducing the environmental footprint compared to traditional dairy.
We license this technology to food and ingredient manufacturers, empowering them to produce a next-generation protein with unique nutritional benefits and broad application potential.
The GLP-1 Boom Is Just Getting Started
GLP-1 medications are transforming the health and nutrition landscape. An estimated 8 to 10% of Americans are already using these drugs, and up to 35% say they’re interested (PwC study, 2024). The market is growing fast – projected to reach $150 billion globally by 2030. Even online search behavior reflects the shift: during this year’s Super Bowl, searches related to weight-loss drugs spiked 50%, with 21% focused on nutrition. It’s clear that this isn’t just a pharma trend – it’s a ripple effect reshaping how consumers eat, shop, and choose their food.
Major brands are moving fast. From protein-enriched pizzas and baked goods to snack bars, yoghurts, cereals, and even waters, protein is showing up everywhere. It’s clear: food companies are racing to meet the growing demand for functional, protein-rich options that support muscle, metabolism, and satiety – especially as GLP-1 users and health-conscious consumers reshape shopping habits.
Why BLG is the Ideal Protein for GLP-1 Nutrition
Beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), especially when produced through precision fermentation, offers a superior amino acid profile for this use case – including 45% more leucine than whey. That makes it one of the most effective proteins for supporting muscle during calorie-restricted weight loss.
Key advantages:
- Leucine-rich for triggering muscle protein synthesis
- Fast-absorbing and highly bioavailable
- Neutral taste and excellent solubility – ideal for clear drinks, bars, dairy alternatives, and meal replacements
For food and nutrition brands, incorporating BLG into product lines means delivering real physiological support to GLP-1 users.
BLG Essential+™ enables new high-protein formulations thanks to its exciting functional properties – neutral taste, stable across wide pH and temperature ranges, and fully soluble in water.
What’s Next in GLP-1-Friendly Foods
GLP-1 users want more than shakes. They want convenient, protein-rich foods that fit into daily life. Forward-looking brands are already experimenting with:
- Clear protein drinks – from iced teas to sparkling waters
- On-the-go snacks – bars, crisps, fortified nuts
- Functional meals and replacements – designed to sustain muscle and curb hunger
This is more than a trend – it’s a transformation in how functional nutrition is formulated.
Protein is popping up in everything from pizzas to teas – but not all proteins can actually deliver in these diverse formats. Many plant-based proteins come with bitter off-notes, gritty textures, or solubility issues that limit their use. That’s where BLG Essential+™ changes the game. With its neutral taste, excellent solubility, and heat stability, it performs where others fall short – enabling everything from clear drinks and baked goods to creamy snacks and meal replacements. It’s not just about nutrition – BLG Essential+™ is making next-gen product innovation possible.
Sustainable, Scalable, Science-Backed
Unlike traditional dairy proteins, BLG made via precision fermentation offers:
- Up to 95% lower water and land use
- 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions
- Stable, scalable production – independent of dairy markets
- Lactose-free, cholesterol-free, antibiotics-free, hormone-free, and vegan-friendly
And because our strain engineering platform is built on decades of experience – partly licensed from Novonesis – it’s designed for cost-efficiency and commercial readiness.
Why Partner with 21st.BIO?
We don’t sell ingredients – we empower ingredient producers and food brands with the tech and know-how to make them. By licensing our BLG Essential+™ production platform, partners gain:
- A future-proof, animal-free protein that meets today’s market needs
- Faster time to market – with GRAS status and regulatory approvals in place
- Expert guidance to identify high-impact applications and scale efficiently
Be First to Market in the GLP-1 Era
Consumers are shifting fast. Brands that act now will shape the next wave of high-protein, functional nutrition.
Let’s build the future of food – sustainably, scientifically, and at scale. Contact us to explore how you can produce BLG Essential+™ and lead the way in GLP-1-friendly innovation.
