The rapid increase in blood amino acid levels observed in this study after ingestion of Unbroken® confirms that the product is rapidly absorbed in the body. Time to peak blood concentration of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), and essential as well as non-essential amino acids were measured after ingestion of Unbroken®. Compared to whey protein, peak amino acid concentrations were reached significantly earlier with Unbroken® when ingested in equal amounts to WPC-80 (20 g protein). The rapid increase in blood concentrations of amino acids observed after ingestion resulted in a significant insulin response which reached similar peak concentrations, but peak insulin concentration occurred earlier with Unbroken® than with WPC‐80.

The increase in plasma levels of amino acids after ingestion of protein-containing meals stimulates several important biological systems and is therefore an indicator of protein quality with regards to effects on health and bodily function. The peak amino acid level is a product of the dose of protein ingested, the amino acid content, the digestibility and the absorption rate of amino acids and short peptides. This study characterized amino acid levels in blood plasma after ingestion of two doses of Unbroken® compared to whey protein. The study had a randomized double-blind cross-over design. The products were given as 20 g protein doses. In addition, all subjects ingested a lower dose of Unbroken® (6 g product, corresponding to 4.5 g protein). A total of 10 young and healthy males completed the study. The first blood sample was collected just before ingestion of the protein drink, and thereafter blood samples were collected at 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes in order to follow the blood response for glucose, insulin and amino acids. Compared to WPC‐80, peak amino acid concentrations were reached approximately 10 minutes earlier with Unbroken®. The rapid increase in blood concentrations of amino acids observed after ingestion resulted in a significant insulin response which reached similar peak concentrations, but peak insulin concentration occurred earlier with Unbroken® than with WPC‐80. Surprisingly, ingestion of the small dose of Unbroken® (4.5 g protein) resulted in a relatively higher peak level of amino acids and faster absorption. The increase in amino acid concentration after ingestion of the small dose (23% of the larger dose) reached up to 50% of the increase after ingestion of the larger dose of Unbroken® RTR indicating a higher efficiency in absorption of the smaller dose.

The study was performed by the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences in Oslo, Norway by professor Truls Raastad.