Abstract: The present disclosure includes denatured whey protein compositions. The compositions include at least 60 wt. % protein on a dry weight basis, less than 8 wt. % native glycomacropeptide (GMP), greater than 2 wt. % enzymatically hydrolyzed GMP relative to the total weight of the protein, a proteolysis index of at least 8 wt. %, and greater than 50 wt. % denatured whey proteins relative to the total weight of the protein.

Abstract: Protein-containing beverages are described. The beverages may include water and 2 wt. % to 8 wt. % protein (based on the total weight of the beverage). The protein in the beverage may include whey protein. The whey protein has at least 12 wt. % of the branched-chain amino acid leucine (based on the total weight of the whey protein). The beverage may also include casein protein. Methods of making protein-containing beverage products are also described. The methods may include providing a protein-containing aqueous mixture, homogenizing and pasteurizing the protein-containing aqueous mixture, and bottling the homogenized and pasteurized protein-containing aqueous mixture to form the protein-containing beverage product. The protein-containing aqueous mixture may include casein protein, and whey protein having at least 12 wt. % leucine (based on the total weight of the whey protein).