Nestlé is stepping up its efforts to serve the growing market of GLP-1 medication users with a new line of high-protein beverages designed to support blood sugar control, appetite management, and muscle preservation. The products are built around a proprietary whey protein microgel technology that enables higher protein concentrations in shelf-stable drinks without affecting texture or flavour. This addresses a common technical hurdle in formulating ready-to-drink nutritional products.
The company reports that clinical testing of the technology, conducted with external partners, showed that consuming a pre-meal drink containing the microgels reduced post-meal glucose spikes and stimulated higher levels of the GLP-1 hormone, which supports satiety and slower digestion. The study, published in Metabolites, involved participants with type-2 diabetes.
Nestlé launched its first products using microgel technology in the US under its Boost brand. These include a pre-meal nutritional shot aimed at appetite support and a high-protein shake formulated to address muscle loss during weight reduction. Both are currently being tested in retail environments.
The company has also introduced a separate beverage, Full Factor, under its Vital Pursuit line. This product contains protein, fibre, and essential nutrients and is positioned as a satiety-focused option for GLP-1 users. Like the others, it is in the US’s early stages of market rollout.
These launches reflect Nestlé’s broader investment in functional food solutions and its strategic focus on the health and medical nutrition sector. The whey protein microgel innovation is linked to 11 patents and is part of the company’s larger portfolio of over 100 whey-related filings in the past decade.