Plant vs. Whey Protein: The Bioavailability Debate - And Where Arigoy Stands

When it comes to choosing the right protein, bioavailability, how well your body can digest, absorb, and use the protein often comes up in the conversation. It’s a fair question, and one we were recently asked on LinkedIn.

The Concern About Plant Protein

Historically, plant proteins have been seen as less bioavailable compared to animal proteins like whey. This perception comes from two main factors:

1. Digestibility - Some plant proteins are harder for the body to break down.

2. Amino Acid Profile - Many single-source plant proteins lack one or more essential amino acids.

This is why older nutrition advice often favored animal proteins for muscle recovery, strength, and other performance outcomes.

How Modern Plant Proteins Are Different

The plant protein space has evolved dramatically. Today, carefully formulated blends for example, combining brown rice, pea, and chia proteins create a complete amino acid profile while improving digestibility through better processing techniques.

These blends aren’t the “plant proteins” of 20 years ago. They’re designed to meet or even match the performance of whey protein in many applications, without the dairy, cholesterol, or some of the inflammatory responses associated with animal proteins in certain individuals.

What the 2023 Nutrients Study Found

The study we referenced in our post published in Nutrients in 2023 compared a high-quality plant protein blend to whey protein in older adults. The plant protein was matched to whey in amino acid content and digestibility, and here’s the key finding:

• Muscle recovery outcomes were comparable between the two

• Inflammation markers were significantly lower in the plant protein group

This shows that when plant protein is properly formulated, it can absolutely hold its own.

Addressing the “Animal Protein Is Always Superior” View

Some will still prefer animal proteins and that’s okay. At Arigoy, our mission isn’t to convince everyone to switch, but to ensure that those who choose plants get science-backed, effective, and enjoyable nutrition without compromise.

The beauty of today’s nutrition landscape is choice. Whether you thrive on whey or prefer plants, there’s a high-quality option out there for you.

References:
Nutrients (2023). Plant-Based Protein Supplementation Enhances Muscle Recovery and Reduces Inflammation Compared to Whey in Older Adults. [Link to study]