Organic Protein Plant-Based

Name: Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based
Brand: Orgain
Price: 30.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Solid ChoiceProtein-3 Hype

USDA Organic plant-based protein blend delivering 21g protein per serving from pea, brown rice, and chia. A solid vegan option with clean ingredients, though the amino acid profile and digestibility lag behind whey. Reasonable value for the organic plant protein category.

72/ 100

Biorank Score

Independently ranked

72/ 100

Biorank Score

Independently ranked by Biorank Laboratories

Our Verdict

Solid Choice

Orgain scores 72 because it delivers a clean, USDA Organic plant protein blend at a reasonable price point for the category. The minor hype penalty (3) reflects mainstream retail marketing and some overclaiming on protein equivalence to whey. The formulation score reflects the inherent limitations of plant protein (lower leucine, lower PDCAAS) rather than any fault in Orgain's execution. Third-party tested for heavy metals, which is critical for plant proteins (rice protein in particular can accumulate arsenic).

Key Findings

21g plant protein per serving from pea, brown rice, and chia — adequate but lower leucine than whey
USDA Organic certified with third-party heavy metal testing (critical for rice protein arsenic risk)
Joy et al. (2013) showed pea protein comparable to whey for muscle gains, but at higher doses
150 calories per serving with 7g carbs — less lean than whey isolate options
Minor hype penalty (3) for mainstream marketing that slightly overclaims protein equivalence to whey

Evidence Analysis

Plant-based protein blends combining pea and rice protein can approximate the amino acid profile of whey when properly formulated. Joy et al. (2013) found that pea protein produced comparable muscle thickness gains to whey over 12 weeks at 25g twice daily. However, plant proteins have lower leucine content (the primary trigger for muscle protein synthesis) — pea protein contains ~6-7% leucine vs. ~10-12% in whey. The PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) of pea protein is 0.89 vs. 1.0 for whey, meaning slightly more plant protein is needed for equivalent muscle protein synthesis. Orgain's 21g per serving is adequate but may require 25-30g for equivalent anabolic effect compared to whey.

Ingredient Breakdown

Ingredient	Dose	Effective Dose	Verdict
Organic Pea Protein	~14g (in 21g blend)	20-40g total protein	Adequate
Organic Brown Rice Protein	~5g (in 21g blend)	20-40g total protein	Adequate
Organic Chia Seed	~2g (in 21g blend)	N/A	Adequate

True Cost Analysis

Properly Dosed -- What You Pay Is What You Get

Listed Price

$1.50/serving

$45.00/month at 1 serving/day

True Cost Per Effective Dose

$1.50/effective dose

$45.00/month for effective dosing

Value Score

Decent value

Save $26.40/month (59%)

by switching to Myprotein Impact Whey Protein

Where It Falls Short

21g protein per serving is on the lower end — most serious athletes need 25-30g. Plant protein amino acid profile is inferior to whey for muscle protein synthesis (lower leucine content). 150 calories per serving with 7g of carbs and 4g of fat — not as lean as whey isolate. The organic certification, while reassuring, adds cost without improving protein quality. Contains natural flavors and stevia, which some users find has a bitter aftertaste. Mixing can be gritty compared to whey proteins.

Best For

Vegans and vegetarians who need a convenient protein supplement
Those who prioritize USDA Organic certification and clean ingredient lists
People with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance who cannot use whey
Casual fitness enthusiasts who want a plant-based protein without overthinking amino profiles

Not Ideal For

Serious athletes optimizing for maximum muscle protein synthesis (whey is superior per gram)
Those counting macros tightly (higher calorie/carb per gram of protein than whey isolate)
People who dislike stevia or find plant protein textures gritty
Budget buyers who just need protein (whey concentrate is cheaper per gram of protein)