EC Nutrition

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a key incretin hormone involved in glucose homeostasis, appetite regulation, and energy balance. Its therapeutic relevance in managing obesity and type 2 diabetes has increased interest in dietary strategies to enhance endogenous GLP-1 secretion. Dairy products, rich in bioactive proteins, peptides, lipids, and microbial metabolites, offer promising ways for modulating GLP-1 physiology. This review explores the literature on the role of dairy-derived nutrients, including whey and casein proteins, branched-chain and aromatic amino acids, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) lipids, and fermented dairy metabolites in stimulating GLP-1 secretion via nutrient-sensing receptors and gut-brain axis pathways. Mechanistic insights reveal that these compounds activate G-protein coupled receptors (GPR40, GPR120, GPR93), calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR), and taste receptors (T1R1/T1R3), leading to enhanced GLP-1 release from intestinal L-cells. The review also explores the impact of dairy processing, matrix effects, and microbiota-mediated fermentation on GLP-1 modulation. By integrating molecular nutrition, nutrigenomics, and personalized dietary approaches, functional dairy formulations may emerge as non-pharmacological tools for metabolic disease prevention. Future research should focus on dose-response relationships, long-term outcomes, and validations of those compounds. 

 Keywords: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1); Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM); G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPR40, GPR120, GPR93); Calcium-Sensing Receptors (CaSR); Taste Receptors (T1R1/T1R3)

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