Rice protein is widely used as a food supplement due to its many undisputed benefits. Let’s see together what rice protein is and how it is obtained, how it is used and what its benefits are
Rice protein is a isolate vegan protein that is obtained through an extraction process starting from the kernels, the seed of Oryza Sativa cereal.
Rice protein represents a very valid alternative to other isolate proteins, both vegetable or animal origin, as well as soy or whey protein: this is because rice, with about 7% protein, although is not the most protein-rich cereal, it is the one whose proteins have the highest biological value, in other words they are qualitatively better than those of wheat or corn.
Let’s see together how rice protein is obtained, how it looks and what are its uses and benefits in various sectors, from food such as baked goods to sport and health nutrition.
Rice protein: what it is and how to obtain it
Rice protein appears as a dry flour product, that is in powder, light beige color and odorless. It is obtained during the production of rice starch through mechanical processes that allow its extraction, that is:
- grinding
- sieving
- separation
- drying
Depending on the type of rice used, the biological value of the rice protein may vary slightly. In any case, the biological value of rice protein is higher than other cereals: according to the FAO it equals to 69, compared to wheat 49 and corn 44. The reason is, despite being lacking in some essential amino acids that are instead found in proteins of animal origin, such as tryptophan, it has on the other hand high percentages of threonine and methionine.
Rice protein: various uses
Thanks to all these characteristics, rice protein is mainly used in the food and pharmaceutical industry as a protein supplement for those who follow a vegan diet or for those who, due to intolerances, cannot have animal-derived proteins – for example those deriving from whey.
Rice proteins are also suitable for those suffering from celiac disease, because rice doesn’t contain the protein portion responsible for gluten composition.
Furthermore, rice is well tolerated in the gastrointestinal tract because it is absorbed faster than animal proteins.
Rice protein: all its benefits
Rice proteins, are used as supplements in the food such as baked good, sport and health nutrition, where they are able to bring numerous benefits.
Let’s see some of them:
- neutral taste that won’t compromise the product formulation
- integration of important proteins not taken in vegan diets
- highly digestible and also suitable for those suffering from celiac disease or food intolerances
- contribution to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass
- necessary for normal bone development in children and for bone health maintenance in adults
- reduction in blood glucose, insulin and cholesterol peaks
- taken after physical activity, they promote recovery after training and increase muscle mass in athletes
- eco-sustainable, because their production has a much less impact on the environment than that of other animal-derived proteins, such as egg and whey