Is soy protein a nutritionally complete protein?
Yes, soy protein is the only complete plant protein that is equivalent to animal protein. Soyfoods contain all nine essential amino acids in the ratios needed for human growth and health, and they are readily digestible. The USDA, FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Protein Quality, and the Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board evaluates protein quality using the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acids Score (PDCAAS) method to determine protein quality. PDCAAS measures the amino acid pattern of proteins and factors in digestibility. According to the PDCAAS system, soy protein and egg whites have a maximum score of 1.0, followed by milk and meat proteins.
