Effect of Yeast Protein on Muscle Mass and Performance in an Adult Population – a Double Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial
Total and trunk lean mass increased from baseline in both protein groups, with effects particularly apparent among participants with lower habitual protein intake.
- Model
- Adults completing a supervised resistance-training program
- Sample
- 79 completers
- Intervention
- 40 g/day yeast protein · 8 weeks
- Comparator
- Whey protein and maltodextrin placebo
Briskey D, Skinner RA, Zhang H, Chen Z, Rao A · 2024 · Journal of Food and Nutrition Research 12(5):292–300
DOI 10.12691/jfnr-12-5-9 ↗Total and trunk lean mass increased from baseline in both protein groups, with effects particularly apparent among participants with lower habitual protein intake.
Short duration; completer analysis; baseline-to-follow-up changes do not by themselves establish universal superiority or equivalence.
Yeast-protein ingredients and industry participation were reported; interpret alongside study design. Authors included affiliations with Angel Yeast and Nutrition Care Pharmaceuticals.
The Impact of Oral Whey Protein and Yeast Protein Supplementation for 6 Months on Skeletal Muscle Mass, Strength, and Function in the Elderly
Walking speed and SPPB improved more in supplemented groups than control. Muscle mass and handgrip strength showed no significant between-group differences.
- Model
- Community-dwelling Chinese adults aged 60 and older
- Sample
- 92 randomized
- Intervention
- 20 g/day yeast or whey powder (about 15–16 g protein) · 24 weeks
- Comparator
- Whey protein and unsupplemented control
Bai Huijing et al. · 2026 · Food Science & Nutrition 14:e71552
DOI 10.1002/fsn3.71552 ↗Walking speed and SPPB improved more in supplemented groups than control. Muscle mass and handgrip strength showed no significant between-group differences.
Participants were not blinded to supplementation versus control; no placebo for control; one setting and population.
Angel Nutritional Fund. The article reports no conflict of interest; the ingredient was supplied by Angel Yeast Co., Ltd.
Evaluation of the nutritional quality of yeast protein in comparison to animal and plant proteins using growing rats and INFOGEST model
Yeast protein had a strong indispensable-amino-acid profile, but lower measured true protein and ileal amino-acid digestibility than comparison proteins in this experiment.
- Model
- Growing rats and a standardized laboratory digestion model
- Sample
- Preclinical experiment
- Intervention
- Yeast protein isolate · Study-specific
- Comparator
- Whey concentrate/isolate, soy, wheat and pea isolates
Cao X, Liu H, Yang M, Mao K, Wang X, Chen Z, Ran M, Hao L · 2025 · Food Chemistry
DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141178 ↗Yeast protein had a strong indispensable-amino-acid profile, but lower measured true protein and ileal amino-acid digestibility than comparison proteins in this experiment.
Animal and laboratory results cannot be assumed to predict human digestion; one ingredient and processing method.
See full article funding statement. Ingredients were obtained from Angel Nutritech; see publisher record for full declarations.
Research on the release and absorption regularities of free amino acids and peptides in vitro digestion of yeast protein
One protocol reported 97.66% digestibility for the tested yeast protein, close to whey isolate, with model-specific amino-acid and peptide release patterns.
- Model
- INFOGEST, dynamic digestion and Caco-2 cell transport models
- Sample
- Laboratory experiment
- Intervention
- Yeast protein · Laboratory protocol
- Comparator
- Whey, pea and soy proteins
Qiao K et al. · 2025 · Food Chemistry
DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.144176 ↗One protocol reported 97.66% digestibility for the tested yeast protein, close to whey isolate, with model-specific amino-acid and peptide release patterns.
Laboratory digestibility and cell transport are not clinical absorption or health outcomes in living people.
See full article funding statement. See publisher record for author declarations.
In vitro human gastrointestinal digestibility and colonic fermentation of edible yeast-based protein
The tested yeast protein showed comparable in-vitro digestibility and a distinct fermentation and metabolomic profile.
- Model
- Simulated human gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation
- Sample
- Laboratory experiment
- Intervention
- Edible yeast-based protein · Laboratory protocol
- Comparator
- Whey and casein
Caron J et al. · 2025 · Food Research International 208:116098
DOI 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116098 ↗The tested yeast protein showed comparable in-vitro digestibility and a distinct fermentation and metabolomic profile.
Does not prove equivalent absorption, tolerance or health effects in living humans.
See full article funding statement. See publisher record for author declarations.
Yeast protein modulates metabolites derived from the human gut microbiota of older male adults ex vivo
Proteins produced different microbial and metabolite profiles. Yeast increased several butyrate-associated taxa, showed favorable barrier measures and relatively low gas in the model.
- Model
- Microbiota from six men aged 50–65 in an experimental gut system
- Sample
- 6 donors
- Intervention
- Yeast protein applied to the model · Ex-vivo protocol
- Comparator
- Whey and soy protein
Van den Abbeele P, Vu LD, Poppe J, van Hengel IAJ, Baudot A, Zhang Y, Chen Z, Yan J · 2026 · Frontiers in Microbiology 16:1697734
DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1697734 ↗Proteins produced different microbial and metabolite profiles. Yeast increased several butyrate-associated taxa, showed favorable barrier measures and relatively low gas in the model.
Not a human feeding trial; symptoms and clinical outcomes were not measured.
Supported through industry-linked research; see article statement. Several authors were employees of Cryptobiotix SA or Angel Yeast Co., Ltd.
Life-cycle assessment of yeast-based single-cell protein production with oat processing side-stream
The yeast scenario had lower land-use impact than soy, but higher impacts in several other categories; energy production contributed substantially.
- Model
- Modeled production scenario using an oat-processing side stream
- Sample
- Environmental model
- Intervention
- Not applicable · Modeled life cycle
- Comparator
- Soy-protein production scenario
Kobayashi Y et al. · 2023 · Science of the Total Environment 873:162318
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162318 ↗The yeast scenario had lower land-use impact than soy, but higher impacts in several other categories; energy production contributed substantially.
Results depend on system boundaries, feedstock, geography, energy mix and modeled assumptions.
See full article funding statement. See publisher record for author declarations.