Protein plays a crucial role in building and maintaining muscle mass, making it an essential nutrient for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone seeking a healthy lifestyle. Beyond muscle growth, protein supports tissue repair after exercise and helps maintain a robust immune system.
However, many Indonesians still consume diets heavily focused on carbohydrates, particularly large portions of rice, while protein intake from both animal and plant sources remains insufficient. As a result, daily protein requirements are often unmet.
To address this gap, beverage innovations such as Milo Pro have emerged, offering 14 grams of whey protein per serving. The product aims to support active lifestyles and aid in post-exercise recovery.
Nutritionist Ayu Anisadiyah explained the importance of protein in muscle development:
“When someone engages in heavy exercise, muscle tissues are damaged. Protein plays a key role in repairing these tissues, making muscles stronger and fibers more resilient,” she said at the recent launch of Milo Pro.
Ayu also highlighted the risks of protein deficiency, which can include slower tissue repair, weakened immunity, disrupted fluid balance, prolonged wound healing, and a loss of muscle mass leading to decreased strength.
For those engaging in regular exercise, protein not only accelerates muscle recovery but also supports muscle growth while reducing injury risk. Whey protein, derived from milk during cheese production and processed into powder, is a popular choice due to its high-quality amino acid profile.
“Whey contains all nine essential amino acids, making it as effective as natural proteins from animal and plant sources,” Ayu noted. While natural proteins often provide additional micronutrients, whey is prized as a concentrated protein source, particularly beneficial after weight training.
Protein requirements vary based on activity levels. For general health, the recommendation is about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. For individuals who exercise intensely, this can increase to around 1.2–2 grams per kilogram per day. Within these ranges, whey protein safely supports muscle development and overall health.
Milo Pro exemplifies innovation that blends nostalgia with modern nutritional needs. Georgios Badaro, President Director of PT Nestlé Indonesia, emphasized that the brand continues to inspire Indonesians while catering to contemporary health demands:
“This new variant offers consumers additional benefits, especially for recovery after exercise, while preserving Milo’s original essence,” he said.
Indonesia is the first country globally to launch this whey-enriched beverage, following extensive research by Nestlé’s international R&D teams, including contributions from Singapore.
Alaa Shaaban, Business Executive Officer of Beverages & Culinary Dairy at PT Nestlé Indonesia, added:
“We are proud to introduce Milo Pro, which maintains the brand’s beloved taste while providing the protein benefits that active consumers need,” she said.
