New Delhi, Feb. 10 -- For decades, the protein conversation in India was largely confined to bodybuilding gyms and the specialised prescriptions of clinical nutritionists. Today, it is emerging as a core part of the Indian diet, whether it is a teenager in a growth spurt, a woman in her 40s calculating her daily protein needs or an elderly man looking to gain some muscle. From the boardrooms of Mumbai to the rapidly urbanising streets of Tier-2 cities, protein is shedding its supplement label and becoming a daily must-have.

Driven by a post-pandemic obsession with preventive wellness and a digital-first generation, India's protein market is burgeoning. Current industry estimates peg the broader protein market at USD 1.52 billion in 2025,...