NNB Nutrition's PeptiClear Wants to Build Muscle Like Whey, Without the Whey

Clear protein sodas are one of the fastest-moving formats in functional beverages right now. They're stocking out at major retailers yet new brands keep launching. And the whole category runs on whey -- which is increasingly expensive and hard to source.

Whey is a byproduct of cheese manufacturing, and cheese consumption has flattened for the first time in decades, partly driven by GLP-1 drug adoption reducing overall intake. Less cheese made equals less whey produced. The brands that want to ride the clear protein trend are hitting a supply wall, and everyone's feeling the pain.

NNB Nutrition's answer is PeptiClear™, a concept RTD debuting at Booth #2201 at Natural Products Expo West 2026. It's built around two of NNB's proprietary ingredient technologies, and it doesn't use a gram of whey.

NNB Nutriton's PeptiClear Concept: What's Inside

In partnership with SIP Manufacturing, Zion Packaging, and McCormick Flavor Solutions, the formula is a 16oz, 60-calorie, mango-pineapple clear protein soda with three core components.

• Pea Protein Isolate (10g) - hydrolyzed and clarified through NNB's Clean & Clear Series process, which strips out the earthy aftertaste and opacity that make standard pea protein a nightmare in clear RTD formats. The result is a clean protein source that actually disappears into the beverage.
• DL185® Dileucine (2g) - a peptide form of two leucine molecules bonded together, which NNB claims absorbs 185% faster than free leucine and drives 60% greater muscle protein synthesis activation. The "185" in the name refers to that absorption figure. It's the ingredient doing the heavy lifting on the anabolic side.
• SweetVantage® - NNB's proprietary steviol glycoside system, developed to solve the bitterness and aftertaste issues that have plagued stevia in RTD applications. The formula also uses 4g of organic cane sugar for flavor balance at 60 calories total.

The Claim Worth Watching

NNB is currently running pre-clinical research comparing mTOR activation from the 10g pea protein plus 2g dileucine combo against 25g of whey. Early results are showing equivalency. The study is still being refined, so treat it as directional for now -- but the underlying logic is sound: dileucine is one of the most potent triggers for the muscle-building pathway studied to date, and pairing it with fast-digesting hydrolyzed protein gives the body what it needs to act on that signal fast.

If the data holds, the business case for brands extends beyond pea protein. NNB says they can hydrolyze and clarify virtually any plant protein isolate, meaning brands can source whatever's available, run it through the Clean & Clear process, add DL185, and compete in the clear protein soda set without touching the whey supply chain at all.

Why It Matters

The clear protein category is a real trend with a real supply problem. PeptiClear is NNB's attempt to solve both sides: give brands a viable plant-based alternative and give consumers a clear protein soda that doesn't compromise on the muscle-building outcome. Whether the mTOR pre-clinical data gets published in a form that holds up is the key thing to track here.

For a deeper look at the ingredient science behind DL185 dileucine, PricePlow's dileucine breakdown is worth bookmarking.

NNB Nutrition is at Booth #2201 at Expo West 2026. Dustin Elliott will be there to discuss the Clean & Clear Series and partnership opportunities for brands looking to formulate in this space.

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