This work aimed to differentiate between the microstructure and network deformability contributions to WH for (modified) SP gels. Gels G1-G8 based on single protein concentration and a constant ionic strength, where osmotic pressure differences can be neglected, showed that not gel stiffness but coarseness (gel microstructure inhomogeneity) sets WH propensity. Coarser gels
result in lower RE and therefore higher energy dissipation related to WH property, but no correlation was found between stiffness and WH of (modified) SP gels, indicating that WH in studied system is strongly dominated by gel microstructure contribution. Image analysis suggested that a pronounced water loss is in the range of 0.3e4.7 mm, and critical length scale where no more water could be removed from the gel for SP gels is above 4.7 mm. Overall, coarser
gels are less able to hold water under applied force and have higher energy dissipation by serum displacement from the gel. This work brings understanding on length scales determining pronounced water loss and shows that coarseness is dominant in setting WH of a gel. These insights could be exploited in product development to predict and tune WH of (new) products.