Rice Protein for Sports & Fitness
Rice Protein
Rice protein is extracted from rice and used in some protein supplements. Vegetarians may prefer it over protein supplements made from animal sources (such as whey or casein, which are milk proteins). Since rice is rarely involved in food allergies,1 rice protein may also be preferred by people with food allergies, and may be suitable to use in hypoallergenic infant formulas.2 Rice protein is not a complete protein, however, due to insufficient levels of the amino acids lysine and threonine.3,4 Therefore, these amino acids are often added to rice protein products to correct this imbalance.
Why Do Athletes Use It?*
Some athletes say that rice protein helps improve weight-training results.
What Do the Advocates Say?*
Protein is necessary for building and repairing muscle, and this is especially important for bodybuilders. All types of protein, including rice protein, provide the body with amino acids. However, compared with other protein supplements, rice protein has more of the amino acid arginine, and since arginine is a vasodilator that can enhance blood flow to tissues, advocates believe rice protein may also improve blood flow to muscle to enhance growth and repair.
How Much Is Usually Taken by Athletes?
While no human studies have been done to test the effectiveness of rice protein for muscle growth and repair, athletes sometimes include 10 to 15 grams of rice protein in their daily protein supplement.