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Brown Rice Protein - Nutritional Profile, Benefits and Trends

Last updated: January-24,2023

Brown Rice Protein - Nutritional profile, Benefits, and Trends

Due to its impressive nutritional profile, brown rice protein is gaining attention across the global protein supplement market. This popularity can also be attributed to the increasing protein powder demand among bodybuilders, athletes, and gymnasts.[i]

In this blog, we will help you identify brown rice protein’s nutritional profile, benefits, and trends. Keep reading for more.

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What is Brown Rice Protein?

Brown rice protein is a protein supplement derived from brown rice. A good protein source, brown rice contains 78% of protein, 36% of essential amino acids, and 18% of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) by weight and offers many health benefits.

Brown Rice Protein Nutritional Facts

Though nutritional facts vary across brands, generally, 25 grams (about one scoop) of brown rice protein powder may contain:[ii][iii][iv]

  • Calories 100
  • Fat 0-2 grams
  • Cholesterol 0 –5.1 mg
  • Carbs 2-3 grams
  • Fiber 1-2 grams
  • Protein 24 grams
  • Calcium 8-12%
  • Iron 2-25%

Is Brown Rice Protein Good for You?

An excellent source of amino acids, brown rice protein, can offer the whey-based protein results – minus the stomach troubles and grumbles when combined with pea protein.[v]

What Are the Benefits of Brown Rice Protein?

Brown rice protein benefits include supporting rapid muscle recovery, quicker absorption, ease of digestion, weight management, and more.

  • Excellent Plant-based Protein Source

With its impressive nutrition profile, brown rice is an excellent plant-based protein source. Brown rice protein powder is ideal for athletes and bodybuilders who prefer vegan or vegetarian sources for their protein intake.[vi]

  • Decreases Cholesterol

A fair amount of healthy fats in brown rice protein helps reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the body.[vii]

  • Easy on Stomach

Brown rice protein is hypoallergenic and free from the reactions, including gas, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, rashes, and bloating associated with soy and milk-based products. This property makes it ideal for people who are lactose intolerant.

  • Quicker Absorption

One of the benefits of brown rice protein is that the human body rapidly processes and utilizes it, making it ideal for post-exercise recovery.

  • Better Taste

Unlike some vegan protein sources, the exceptionally natural and unobtrusive taste of brown rice protein powder makes it appropriate for almost anyone.

  • Aids Muscle Recovery

Brown rice protein contains high amounts of various amino acids and helps rapid muscle recovery.

  • Supports Weight-loss

The easily digestible brown rice protein creates a ‘thermic effect’ that helps accelerate metabolism and weight loss.

Brown Rice Protein Nutritional Profile Infographic

Is Brown Rice Protein a Complete Protein?

Despite its incredible protein profile, brown rice protein isn’t a complete protein. Brown rice is high in methionine but low in lysine. However, it’s not essentially a real problem.[viii]

According to a double-blind study, amino acid blood concentration comparisons when subjects consumed rice protein isolate vis-a-vis whey protein didn’t reveal a statistically significant difference in the total amino acid concentration in the blood.[ix]

If you are keen to make a complete protein supplement fortified with all nine essential amino acids, pairing it with pea protein can do the trick.

Brown Rice Protein Digestibility and Effect on Body Composition

Further, studies revealed a positive effect of brown rice protein on body composition.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of 24 college-aged, healthy, resistance-trained participants received 48g of rice or whey protein isolate for 8 weeks, immediately following their training. The results revealed that rice protein isolates decreased fat-mass, increased skeletal muscle hypertrophy, lean body mass, strength, and power compared to whey protein.

In another study, 11 healthy, male, elite-level mixed martial artists received either 75g of protein from rice protein isolate or whey protein isolate per day, with at least 25g of protein ingested after the first training session of the day. There were no significant differences between the rice protein isolate and whey protein isolate groups in the fat-mass, fat-free mass, and body weight after six weeks. However, the percentage of body fat trended toward a more significant reduction in the rice protein isolate group.[x]

Things You Didn't Know About Brown Rice Protein

  • Brown Rice Protein Powder Vs. Whey

Studies suggest that when given in low doses, the effects of rice protein isolates are slightly less than that of the whey protein isolates. On the other hand, when delivered in larger or maximum doses, the effects are comparable.[xi]

  • Brown Rice Protein as Opposed to Whey Protein "Grumbles"

Brown rice protein is easy to digest and free from the common whey protein side effects, such as flatulence, gas-build-up, and grumbles.

  • Does Brown Rice Protein Powder Have Any Side Effects?

Brown rice protein powder doesn’t have any side effects. Although it’s an incomplete protein, it doesn’t negatively impact our body’s ability to use it. Most of the plant-based protein products in the markets are fortified naturally to contain a complete amino acid profile. Alternatively, by complementing brown rice protein with pea protein, you can have a complete plant-based protein.[xii]

  • Brown Rice Protein is Hypoallergenic

In the current times of increasing food allergies due to milk, egg, and soy-based protein, brown rice protein offers significant relief due to its hypoallergenic properties. Further, being gluten-free, brown rice protein is suitable for almost everyone.

Brown Rice Protein Market Trend

The United States brown rice protein market is estimated to grow from $53.706 million in 2020 to $103.308 million in 2025 at a CAGR of 11.52%. The increasing prevalence of food allergies, a rising rate of obesity, increasing fitness trend to join gyms and health clubs, and rising vegan diet trend is fueling the demand for protein.[xiii]

Conclusion

Brown rice protein offers a promising business potential, and if you are keen on developing a brown rice protein supplement, the team at NutraScience Labs is ready to assist you! With over 120 years of contract dietary supplement manufacturing experience, we have helped thousands of brand owners create high-quality and delicious plant-based protein powders.

For more information on how to get started, call 855-492-7388 to speak with one of our production specialists or send us your request for a free manufacturing price quote.


References:

[i] https://industryprobe.com/industry-analysis/Brown-Rice-Protein-Market

[ii] http://www.fitbit.com/foods/Brown+Rice+Protein+Powder+Unflavored/724259278

[iii] https://www.nutritionix.com/food/brown-rice-protein-powder

[iv] https://draxe.com/nutrition/brown-rice-protein-powder/

[v] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-protein-powder

[vi] https://asitisnutrition.com/blogs/health/everything-you-need-to-know-about-brown-rice-protein

[vii] https://www.myprotein.com/thezone/nutrition/benefits-uses-brown-rice-protein-powder/

[viii] https://www.myprotein.com/thezone/nutrition/benefits-uses-brown-rice-protein-powder/

[ix] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266560111_A_Comparison_of_Blood_Amino_Acid_Concentrations_Following_Ingestion_of_Rice_and_Whey_Protein_Isolate_A_Double-Blind_Crossover_Study

[x] https://www.espn.in/mma/story/_/id/22703232/new-study-mma-fighters-shows-plant-based-protein-produces-same-results-whey-professional-athletes

[xi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3698202/

[xii] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1148/brown-rice

[xiii] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200422005695/en/United-States-Rice-Protein-Market-2020-2025

January 21st, 2021

About the Author:

 
Gene Bruno

Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG) - Mr. Bruno possesses over 43 years of dietary supplement industry experience. With a Master's degree in nutrition and a second Master's degree in herbal medicine, he has a proven track record of formulating innovative, evidence-based dietary supplements. Mr. Bruno currently serves as both the Senior Director of Product Innovation at Twinlab Corporation and Professor of Nutraceutical Science at Huntington University of Health Sciences.