Protein is a major structural and functional component of the body. Most people know protein is used in the process of building muscle, but it contributes many other benefits and has many other important functions in the body as well. It is plays a role in the creation and balance of things such as: enzymes, hormones, collagen, fingernails, hair, and many components of the blood.
Proteins vary widely, based on what function they serve in the body. High quality proteins have two qualities: high digestibility and complete amino acid composition. In order for our bodies to use protein, it must be broken down into amino acids by enzymes -- and this happens through our normal digestion processes.
The defining feature of proteins -- from a nutrition perspective -- are the specific protein's amino acid composition. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and muscle. Sometimes, amino acids, therefore, are referred to as the building blocks of life.
There are nine amino acids that are considered essential (or indispensable), and the presence of all 9 of these in food is what creates a complete protein. The catch is that our bodies do not generate these 9 essential amino acids on their own, and as a result, they need to be consumed as a part of our diets. If a single essential amino acid is missing from the diet, our bodies cannot function.
So, what makes Take Two Barleymilk so special? Well, in addition to how delicious it is, it also provides 3-8 grams of complete protein per serving!
Many plant-based milks, although they might offer some protein, don’t offer complete protein, because outside of animal-based products, most protein sources are not complete. One way people who eat plant-rich or plant-based diets get complete protein is by consuming “complementary” protein sources at or around the same meal. When combined, two or more complementary protein’s amino acid profiles provide all 9 essential amino acids, and the result is complete protein.
At Take Two, creating a product that provides complete protein was a non-negotiable from the very beginning, because this kind of plant-based nutrition is sometimes difficult to find. By combining upcycled barley with pea protein in our Barleymilk, we are able to offer a dairy alternative that offers complete protein -- and that's delicious, versatile, and sustainable.
