Nutrition Diet: What does HBV mean in protein?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization, protein quality can be determined by assessing its essential amino acid composition and digestibility. This is central to understanding what does HBV mean in protein, a key metric for determining how efficiently your body utilizes the protein you consume.

Quick Summary

High Biological Value (HBV) refers to protein sources containing all nine essential amino acids required by the human body. Unlike Low Biological Value (LBV) proteins, which lack one or more of these crucial amino acids, HBV proteins are highly efficient for growth and repair. Animal products are typically HBV, while specific plant sources and combinations can also provide complete protein profiles.

Key Points

High Biological Value (HBV): HBV refers to a protein source that contains all nine essential amino acids necessary for human growth and repair.
Essential vs. Non-Essential: The body cannot produce essential amino acids and must obtain them from dietary protein. Non-essential amino acids can be synthesized internally.
HBV Food Sources: HBV proteins are typically found in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy, but also in some plant-based foods like soy and quinoa.
Low Biological Value (LBV): LBV proteins lack one or more essential amino acids and are less efficiently used by the body when consumed alone.
Complementary Proteins: Vegetarians and vegans can combine different LBV protein sources, such as rice and beans, over the course of a day to ensure they get a complete amino acid profile.
Quality Over Quantity: The quality of protein, as measured by its Biological Value, is as important as the quantity for effective muscle building and tissue maintenance.
Digestion and Utilization: The body breaks down dietary protein into amino acids for absorption, which are then used for synthesis or converted to energy.

The role of protein and amino acids

Protein is a crucial macronutrient composed of smaller units called amino acids. The human body requires 20 different amino acids to function, with nine of these being 'essential' because the body cannot produce them on its own. We must obtain these nine essential amino acids from our diet to support vital processes such as tissue repair, muscle growth, and the production of hormones and enzymes. The other 11 'non-essential' amino acids can be synthesized by the body.

What makes a protein High Biological Value (HBV)?

High Biological Value, or HBV, is a measure of how efficiently the body can absorb and utilize the protein from a particular food source. A protein is classified as HBV if it contains all nine essential amino acids in the right proportions needed by humans. This is a critical distinction in nutritional science, as it indicates a food's ability to support optimal tissue growth and repair. Animal sources such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products are classic examples of HBV proteins. The reference standard for Biological Value, with a score of 100, has traditionally been the protein found in a whole egg.

Conversely, Low Biological Value (LBV) proteins are those that are missing or insufficient in one or more of the essential amino acids. Most plant-based proteins fall into this category, although a few notable exceptions exist. For those following vegetarian or vegan diets, it is still possible to obtain all essential amino acids by practicing 'protein complementation', which involves combining different LBV sources to form a complete protein profile throughout the day. For example, a meal of rice and beans works well because the essential amino acid that rice lacks is found in beans, and vice versa.

HBV vs. LBV Protein Sources


Feature	High Biological Value (HBV) Protein	Low Biological Value (LBV) Protein
Essential Amino Acids	Contains all nine essential amino acids in sufficient quantities.	Missing or has insufficient quantities of one or more essential amino acids.
Typical Sources	Primarily animal-based: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. A few plant-based examples exist.	Primarily plant-based: most legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains.
Protein Complementation	Not necessary, as a single source provides a complete profile.	Often combined with other LBV sources to achieve a complete amino acid profile.
Examples	Eggs, whey, casein, chicken, beef, tuna, soy, quinoa.	Baked beans, lentils, most nuts and seeds, rice, wheat.
Bioavailability	Typically more easily digested and absorbed by the body.	May be less digestible, requiring careful planning for adequate absorption.

High Biological Value food examples

Ensuring you get enough HBV protein is key for effective nutrition. Here are some of the best sources:

Animal-Based Sources:
- Eggs: Considered the gold standard for protein quality due to their excellent amino acid profile.
- Meat and Poultry: Lean cuts of beef, lamb, and skinless chicken and turkey are complete proteins.
- Fish and Seafood: Salmon, tuna, and other fish are lean and complete protein sources.
- Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt (especially Greek yogurt), and cheese offer a complete set of essential amino acids.
Plant-Based Sources:
- Soy Products: Tofu, tempeh, and edamame are among the few plant-based foods that provide all essential amino acids.
- Quinoa: A grain that is also a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids.
- Hemp and Chia Seeds: These seeds are considered complete or nearly complete proteins.
- Buckwheat and Amaranth: Both are pseudo-cereals that offer complete protein profiles.

The importance of protein complementation for a plant-based diet

For those on a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, consuming a variety of plant-based protein sources is vital to ensure all essential amino acids are acquired. The old advice that you need to combine specific incomplete proteins at every meal is outdated; studies now show that consuming a variety of plant proteins throughout the day is sufficient. A diet that includes a mix of legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds will collectively provide a complete amino acid profile. For example, combining beans and rice over the course of a day will supply all the necessary essential amino acids.

Optimizing your protein intake

Beyond just getting enough total protein, focusing on the quality and timing of your protein intake can boost its benefits. For athletes and older adults, consuming high-quality protein shortly after exercise can assist with muscle repair and maintenance. Spreading protein consumption across all meals can also promote consistent muscle synthesis throughout the day.

Conclusion: Making high biological value choices

Understanding what HBV means in protein is fundamental to building a healthy, balanced diet. It’s a key factor in ensuring your body receives all the essential amino acids it needs to function optimally, from repairing tissues to building muscle. While animal products are a straightforward source of HBV protein, plant-based diets can be just as effective by incorporating a variety of complementary protein sources throughout the day. By making informed choices, you can optimize your protein intake for overall well-being and a thriving body.

For more in-depth information, you can read about the role of essential amino acids from reliable sources like the NIH: Essential Amino Acids: Definition, Benefits, and Food Sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

HBV (High Biological Value) proteins contain all nine essential amino acids, which the body cannot produce itself. LBV (Low Biological Value) proteins lack one or more of these essential amino acids, making them less efficient for the body's needs unless combined with other protein sources.

Yes. While most animal products are HBV, some plant-based foods like soy (tofu, edamame), quinoa, and hemp seeds are considered complete proteins, containing all nine essential amino acids. Additionally, combining different plant sources throughout the day provides a complete amino acid profile.

They can achieve complete protein intake by consuming a varied diet that includes different plant sources throughout the day, such as legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. The essential amino acids from these complementary sources combine to meet the body's needs.

Most animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy, are considered HBV proteins because they contain all nine essential amino acids. However, some animal-derived products, like gelatin, are an exception as they lack certain essential amino acids.

No, other metrics exist. For example, the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) are also used to assess protein quality, taking into account factors like digestibility and how well the protein supports growth.

Cooking can affect protein structure through a process called denaturation, which can alter its three-dimensional shape. However, cooking generally does not destroy the essential amino acid content. In many cases, it can make the protein more digestible and therefore more bioavailable.

For most people following a balanced omnivore diet, the combination of animal and plant-based foods naturally provides all essential amino acids, so actively tracking HBV for every food isn't necessary. The body can 'pool' amino acids from different sources throughout the day.