Egg protein is derived primarily from egg whites and is a complete protein, providing adequate proportions of all of the body’s required (essential) amino acids.¹ It is highly ranked for protein quality and digestibility,² and is relatively high in branched-chain amino acids, which are used primarily to make and repair muscle tissue. Egg protein is sometimes used in protein supplements and protein-enriched foods.

Egg protein contains a compound called avidin, which is well known to interfere with the absorption of biotin, a B-complex vitamin.³ Ordinarily, people who eat eggs are not exposed to enough avidin to have a significant impact, and avidin is also neutralized with heat. However, those who eat raw egg whites on a daily basis or people using large amounts of egg protein supplements might need to be concerned. Because of this issue, some egg protein supplements are heated during processing and are promoted as “avidin-neutralized.”