Understanding Protein Quality: PDCAAS, Bioavailability & Amino Acids

Not All Protein is Equal

Amount alone says little about the quality of a protein. Three factors are decisive: the amino acid profile, bioavailability and the scientific quality index. Anyone looking to optimise their protein intake should understand these factors.

Protein Sources Compared (per 100g)

*Pea + hemp protein complement each other to form a complete amino acid profile **Limited in methionine – combination with grains recommended

PDCAAS & DIAAS – Scientific Quality Indices

PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) and DIAAS (Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score) measure how well the body can utilise the protein. Higher = better.

Pea + hemp complement each other: pea provides lysine, hemp adds methionine. Combined, they form a complete amino acid profile.

Bunaroba combines pea and hemp protein. This creates complementary amino acid profiles while additionally providing omega-3, magnesium and iron.

Bioavailability – What Actually Gets Absorbed?

Bioavailability shows what percentage of protein the body can actually absorb and use (egg = 100% reference).

Essential Amino Acids – The Key

The body cannot produce 9 amino acids on its own – they must be obtained from food. For muscle building, BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, valine) are particularly important.

Leucine is particularly important: at least 2.5g per meal should be reached to optimally stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Pea protein is one of the best plant-based sources of leucine.

Why Combine Pea + Hemp?

Pea protein is rich in lysine and leucine but limited in methionine. Hemp protein complements with methionine and additionally brings omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium (64% RDA), iron (30% RDA), zinc (33% RDA) and fibre. Combined, they perfectly complement each other to form a complete amino acid profile with valuable micronutrients.

This complementarity is not coincidental but a well-established principle of nutritional science: different plant protein sources compensate for each other’s limiting amino acids.

Conclusion

Protein quality is at least as important as quantity. Plant-based proteins can match animal sources when intelligently combined. The combination of pea and hemp protein unites a complete amino acid profile with valuable micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids.

Learn more about optimal protein requirements by activity level and goal in our article How Much Protein You Really Need. Or calculate your individual needs directly with the Protein Calculator.

Sources:

• Rutherfurd SM et al. (2015). Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Scores and Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Scores. Advances in Nutrition.
• FAO (2013). Dietary protein quality evaluation in human nutrition. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 92.
• Gorissen SH et al. (2018). Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino Acids.
• House JD et al. (2010). Evaluating the quality of protein from hemp seed products through the use of the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score method. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.