CHIA PROTEIN: A NEW HIGH-QUALITY PLANT-BASED PROTEIN
Protein as a macronutrient Protein is required to meet nutritional
needs and to support health and well-being (1). This macronutrient is needed to meet human nitrogen requirements and provide indispensable amino acids (also known as essential amino acids). Amino acids are classified as those that cannot be synthesized by the body (indispensable or essential) and those that the body can synthesize (dispensable or non-essential) (2). However, some are also conditionally indispensable, becoming essential under specific pathological or physiological conditions (2). Protein is an important structural and functional component of organs, muscles, biological fluids, and hormones (2, 3).
Global protein intakes
The 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Report estimates that the average protein requirement for adult maintenance is 105 mg nitrogen per kg body weight per day, or 0.66 g protein per kg body weight per day (4). In countries with lower average income, 3% of total dietary energy is from animal protein sources; 11% is from roots and tubers; 6% is from pulses, nuts, and oilseeds; and the remainder is primarily from cereal-based staple foods (5). Although the production of livestock has increased in developing countries, the consumption of protein in these countries remains inadequate (5).
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