In the early menopausal years, women experience a rapid loss of bone mineral density, which is an indicator of bone health.
This is partly due to a significant decline in oestrogen levels, which accelerates bone breakdown and increases osteoporosis risk.
The RENEW project (valoRization of dairy side-streams to fight calcium dEficits iN postmEnopausal Women) aimed to determine whether calcium-rich whey permeate from whey production could be used as a bioactive food ingredient to counteract bone loss in postmenopausal women.
In the 12-month intervention study, participants were randomised to placebo or 800mg of calcium, either from calcium carbonate or calcium-rich whey permeate (taken alone or with inulin), in two daily doses. All participants also received vitamin D to help maintain normal bone health.
In total, 316 postmenopausal women completed the study. In the group receiving calcium-rich whey permeate (n=78), bone mineral density was maintained. Conversely, participants in the placebo group (n=75) showed a 12-month reduction in bone mineral density.
In addition, blood markers of bone turnover indicated a noticeable slowing of bone loss by the third month of the whey permeate intervention. Adding inulin to the calcium-rich whey permeate provided no additional bone health benefits.
The calcium-rich whey permeate supplement used in the study featured Arla Foods Ingredients’ Capolac, a calcium-rich, milk-based ingredient, and Variolac, a lactose-based ingredient.
Commenting on the findings on World Osteoporosis Day (20th October 2026), the nutrition leader highlighted the potential of calcium-rich whey permeate at a time when the condition is increasingly prevalent.
Simon Bøge Riis, Nutrition Scientist (PhD) at Arla Foods Ingredients, said that globally, approximately one in five older adults has osteoporosis. It’s especially common among postmenopausal women and across Asia, underscoring the need for effective nutritional strategies to support bone health.
This research showed that twice-daily supplementation with calcium-rich whey permeate can significantly improve bone turnover markers and maintain bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
Valorising nutrition-rich side streams such as calcium-rich whey permeate also supports more sustainable and efficient whey production. It also offers the potential to develop innovative ingredients and product formats that are appealing and convenient for consumers.
Arla Foods Ingredients has developed a dried fruit bar containing 265mg of calcium in a 10g serving, equivalent to the amount in a glass of milk. This innovative, on‑the‑go format delivers an enjoyable consumer experience while offering the flexibility to tailor flavour profiles to regional preferences.
The concept also supports circularity by incorporating solutions that help reduce fruit waste while utilising a calcium-rich whey permeate side stream.
Riis added that developing affordable, calcium-rich milk-based ingredients from whey production could be particularly relevant for developing countries, where calcium deficiency is an overlooked challenge. Such ingredients could also be incorporated into food products that address multiple nutritional deficiencies, including inadequate calcium intake and poor bone health.
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