What Are the Benefits of Egg White Proteins?

What Are the Benefits of Egg White Proteins?
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Whey protein, and other powdered proteins, are considered by some to be more easily accessible and nutritionally dense than egg white protein. Others choose egg whites as a low carbohydrate, high protein option. Opinions vary, but egg white protein is still highly utilized by many people, including endurance athletes, bodybuilders, and even recreational exercisers. It ultimately boils down to finding a protein source that can help you reap the benefits that you seek.

Digestibility and usability

Food sources of protein are rated on a scale from 1 to 100, depending on how easily digestible they are and how well your body utilizes their protein, according to BodyBuildingPro.com. Egg whites receive a score of 88 out of 100, which is better than all but one food source of protein -- whole eggs. Whole eggs receive a rating of 100 out of 100 for digestibility and usability, making them better than any other food source.

Branch Chain Amino Acids

Egg whites contain all eight of the essential amino acids the body needs, according to the Utah Education Network. These amino acids cannot be manufactured by your body, and therefore must be supplemented through diet. According to Brian Mackenzie, a sports performance expert, these amino acids are lsoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylaianine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine.

Calories and Macronutrients

Egg whites are a low carbohydrate, low calorie, nonfat, high protein food. According to the What's Cooking In America website, one egg white contains only .3 carbohydrates, 17 calories, no fat, and about 3 grams of protein. This means that if you were to consume 10 egg whites in one day, you would be getting the benefits of 30 grams of protein with no fat, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and only 170 calories.

References

Article reviewed by Mary Branham Last updated on: Oct 11, 2010

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