Oats – A great source of protein

When discussing the nutritional properties of oats, carbohydrates and fiber, particularly beta-glucan, are usually highlighted. However, it should not be forgotten that oats are also a good source of protein, bringing protein into various diets and several different products.  From both an environmental and health perspective, it would be beneficial to reduce the proportion of animal protein in the diet and replace it with plant-based protein sources such as grain products.

Replacing animal protein with plant proteins is recommended

Europeans have a high protein intake (102 g/person/day) ¹. This is significantly higher than the recommended amount (50-70 g/day). About 60 percent of the protein comes from animal products and this is recommended to be other way around. For example, in the planetary diet described in the EAT-Lancet report, which promotes human health and the well-being of the planet, the consumption of meat, fish, and eggs is recommended to be limited to 84 grams and dairy products to 250 grams per day. Instead, grain products, such as oats , are recommended to be included in the diet at over 200 grams per day². 
Grain products are a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, but they also provide a significant amount of protein. Oat protein is an easy way to make completely plant-based alternatives or replace some of the animal protein. From an environmental perspective, grain products are a good alternative source of protein. Producing 100 grams of protein from grains requires about 4.6 m² of land, whereas producing 100 grams of beef protein requires about 160 m² of land1.

Good quality protein

Oats are a versatile grain in terms of composition. Its distribution of macronutrients is balanced. In addition to carbohydrates, oats contain not only high-quality fats but also more protein than other commonly used grains. Regular oat flakes contain about 14% protein. In our Oat Bran Concentrates, the protein content rises to as high as 21%. Gluten-free Oat Bran Concentrate is an excellent way to add both fiber and protein to a variety of products and diets.

Proteins are composed of amino acids. Some amino acids are so-called essential amino acids, which the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained from food. Plant-based proteins also contain all essential amino acids, but some of them may be present in lower amounts than is optimal for humans’ need. In grain products, lysine is usually the limiting amino acid, meaning it is present in lower amounts compared to recommendations. The amino acid composition of oats is more diverse than that of other grains, and oats contain significantly more lysine than, for example, wheat.

The quality of proteins is assessed not only by the amount of essential amino acids but also by their bioavailability. DIAAS (Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score) is a measure that evaluates protein quality based on how well its essential amino acids are absorbed and utilized by the body. The DIAAS value of oats is lower than that of animal proteins and soy, but it is better than that of wheat, rice, or corn³.

In Western countries, where protein intake is abundant, protein quality is not as critical as in countries where protein intake is below the required level. Oats as a protein source are favored for their good taste and versatility. As a naturally gluten-free grain, oats are suitable for a variety of diets and product applications.
 
1)    Poutanen et al: Grains - a major source of sustainable protein for health https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab084 
2)    Eat Lancet Report https://eatforum.org/content/uploads/2019/07/EAT-Lancet_Commission_Summary_Report.pdf 
3)    Herreman et al:  Comprehensive overview of the quality of plant- and animal-sourced proteins based on the digestible indispensable amino acid score https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1809  

Add protein and fiber with Oat Bran Concentrates

• Contains all the goodness of oats in a concentrated form
• Naturally boosts protein and fiber contents
• Can be easily added to various food applications, including bakery products, breakfast cereals, meat alternatives and biscuits and bars.