A new clinical study has found that Superbrewed Food’s Postbiotic Cultured Protein (SB1) matches whey protein in terms of muscle building. The study, which was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, compared the effects of SB1, whey protein isolate, and pea protein isolate on muscle protein synthesis.
The study found that SB1 was just as effective as whey protein in building muscle, with amino acid bioavailability of approximately 75% for all three proteins.
This level of bioavailability indicates that the body can effectively utilize SB1 for muscle growth.
The study also found that SB1 had a stronger baseline amino acid profile than pea protein, although all three proteins lacked sufficient lysine and methionine to meet the body’s needs.
Bryan Tracy, CEO of Superbrewed Food, noted that the study’s findings were significant because they showed that SB1 was not just another protein isolate, but a whole-cell postbiotic derived from a microorganism naturally associated with the gut health microbiome.
They believe that the study’s results reinforce the need to evaluate alternative proteins not just by their composition, but by how effectively the body utilizes them.
Research like this can help us better understand the potential benefits and limitations of these new proteins, such as SB1.
The study used a novel stable isotope pulse technique to track circulating protein in the blood and measure amino acid bioavailability and the intracellular anabolic response to a meal.
This method, which was developed by a team led by Dr. Nicolaas Engbertus Petrus Deutz, has the potential to change how protein quality is evaluated in the future.
Tracy also sees tremendous opportunity to apply advanced stable isotope techniques to directly measure muscle protein synthesis and gain a deeper understanding of how SB1 is utilized.
Superbrewed Food has already partnered with Döhler to launch commercial-scale production of SB1, and initial commercial volumes are now shipping into premium sports and lifestyle nutrition applications in the US.
The company has also submitted novel food applications in the EU and the UK, and is pursuing regulatory approval in Canada, further expanding the reach of SB1.
