What defines complete proteins?

Complete proteins are defined as those that contain all of the essential amino acids required by the human body. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet. Complete proteins provide the building blocks necessary for various bodily functions, including muscle repair, enzyme production, and hormone synthesis.

While digestibility is important in nutritional science, the definition specifically focuses on the amino acid profile. Therefore, simply being easily digestible or consisting solely of animal sources does not inherently define a protein as complete. Additionally, high-caloric content does not pertain to the protein quality or its completeness in terms of amino acid profile. Thus, the defining characteristic of complete proteins is their capacity to supply all essential amino acids necessary for health.