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Pea protein powder

Pea protein powder is becoming a fast favorite for gym-goers and health-conscious people alike. Not only is it gluten- and dairy-free, but it’s been proven to be spectacular for your kidneys, heart and waistline too

Pea protein powder is becoming a fast favorite for gym-goers and health-conscious people alike. Not only is it gluten- and dairy-free, but it’s been proven to be spectacular for your kidneys, heart and waistline too!

Although you can typically get enough protein each day by following a well-balanced and nutritious diet, real life often has a tendency to get in the way, and preparing a healthy meal rich in plant-based protein foods can be a bit of a hassle at times. That’s why smoothies with protein powder can be a great option, augmenting protein intake with minimal prep time.

Another great reason to use protein powder is that consuming it within 30 minutes of working out can help speed up muscle growth and recovery to optimize your workout and get faster results. (1) But while preparing and eating a full meal is not only difficult directly after working out, it can often make you feel nauseous and heavy. A light smoothie packed with great proteins, on the other hand, is a quick and easy alternative to help bump up your protein intake.

Rotating the types of protein powders that you use is a great strategy to make sure your body consistently benefits from each one as much as possible. Ready to learn more? Let’s explore why pea protein should be a part of that rotation.

What Is Pea Protein?

Protein powder is available in several forms, most commonly as whey protein, brown rice protein powder and soy. Whey and brown rice protein have some incredible benefits and both are very useful in their own right. Soy protein, on the other hand, may not be so stellar for health due to its high concentration of phytoestrogens and the fact that nearly all soy in the U.S. is genetically engineered.

Although pea protein powder isn’t currently in the top three, experts predict that it will begin drastically increasing in popularity over the next few years, given the huge surge in health-conscious consumers and the continued push toward following a more plant-based and sustainable diet.

The rising popularity of this pea supplement should come as no surprise, considering the amazing makeup of this veggie protein powder. Pea protein powder is among the most hypoallergenic of all protein powders, as it contains no gluten, soy or dairy. It’s also easy on the tummy and doesn’t cause bloating, a common side effect of many other protein powders.

So how is pea protein made? It’s produced by grinding the peas into a powder and then removing the starch and fiber to leave a highly concentrated pea protein isolate that’s perfect for adding to smoothies, baked goods or desserts to quickly boost protein intake.

Whether you are allergic or sensitive to gluten or dairy or are simply looking for a healthy, plant-based vegan protein powder, pea protein is one of the best protein supplement options available.

Top 5 Pea Protein Benefits

  1. Aids in Weight Loss*
  2. Supports Heart Health*
  3. May Promote Kidney Function*
  4. Increases Muscle Thickness*
  5. Balances Blood Sugar Levels*
  1. Aids in Weight Loss*

As with all good protein powders, pea protein can be a handy tool in your arsenal of weight loss weapons. Particularly if you’re looking to lose weight fast, introducing protein in your diet is one of the best ways to do it.

It’s common for people trying to lose weight to neglect protein intake, which can stall and slow weight loss in the long run. However, getting between 0.8–1.0 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight each day helps you to build muscle and burn fat faster. If you weigh 140 pounds — which is about 64 kilograms — for example, you should take in about 51–64 grams of protein each day.

Another way that protein benefits weight loss is due to its ability to lower levels of ghrelin, the hormone responsible for stimulating feelings of hunger. Pea protein can delay the emptying of your stomach and reduce the secretion of ghrelin to curb cravings and decrease appetite. In fact, research shows that pea protein matches dairy-based proteins in its ability to help you feel fuller for longer! (2)

  1. Supports Heart Health*

Not only is pea protein good for your waistline, but it’s also proven to support a healthy heart. In 2011, one animal model out of Canada reported that pea protein lowers high blood pressure. Impressively enough, the rats in the study showed a significant drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over the course of just eight weeks. (3)

In another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that intake over time of plant-based proteins, rather than animal-based proteins, was associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). (4) If you are at any sort of risk for heart problems, the best thing you can do is to eat foods that reduce inflammation, such as peas and other plant-based ingredients. Inflammation is the cause of almost every major heart disease, and CHD is not excluded from that list. (5)

  1. May Promote Kidney Function*

Some studies suggest that pea protein may be one of the best protein sources for those with kidney issues. In fact, according to research conducted by the University of Manitoba, pea protein could help delay or prevent the onset of kidney damage in those with high blood pressure. It could also help those with kidney disease live longer by stabilizing blood pressure levels and can increase urine function to help the body rid itself of toxins and waste more efficiently. (6)

What’s fascinating about this particular study is that it was discovered that yellow peas alone do not provide these same benefits. Instead, it’s only when the protein in peas is extracted and activated with special enzymes that these pea proteins become especially beneficial for kidney health.

  1. Increases Muscle Thickness*

A common misconception about vegetable-based natural protein powder supplements is that they don’t have the same effect on muscle growth and muscle recovery after workouts as dairy-based whey protein. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, a 2015 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition proved that pea protein was just as effective as dairy-based proteins at increasing muscle thickness after resistance training. (7)

The muscle-boosting benefits of protein may be due to the high quantities of L-arginine in pea protein, which are found in higher concentrations than in other protein products. (8) Arginine — and L-arginine — is an important amino acid that helps you to build muscle. This is because it stimulates the secretion of human growth hormone, a type of hormone involved in the regulation of growth, metabolism and muscle mass. (910)

  1. Balances Blood Sugar Levels*

High blood sugar can impact many aspects of health and can cause a range of diabetes symptoms, such as fatigue, increased thirst, slow wound healing and unintentional weight loss.

Some research shows that all-natural protein powder supplements like pea protein could be beneficial when it comes to maintaining normal blood sugar levels. For instance, a study conducted by the University of Toronto’s Department of Nutritional Sciences tested the effects of pea protein on food intake, blood sugar levels and appetite in healthy young men. While the addition of pea protein didn’t change food intake or appetite, the blood sugar levels of subjects stayed lower than they normally would. This suggests pea protein can be considered a beneficial ingredient and can help improve glycemic control when paired with other foods. (11)

 Pea Protein Nutrition and Amino Acid Profile

One of the things that people often consider when shopping for protein supplements is whether or not they are considered complete protein sources. The complete protein definition includes any food or supplement that contains all nine of the essential amino acids, which are the types of amino acid that your body is unable to produce and must obtain from food sources.

Because of the varied types of soy and the confusion often surrounding protein powders, there tends to be a lot of different opinions about the assortment of amino acids in different types of proteins and what is necessary. Many people think that soy is the only vegetable-based protein with a complete amino acid profile, but that’s not the case. Hemp protein powder is also considered a complete protein, while brown rice protein also sports a complete load of amino acids but is a bit low in lysine in comparison to whey protein or casein protein.

Pea protein has a nearly complete profile, although there are a couple of nonessential and conditional amino acids missing. Does that mean you should write off pea protein altogether? Absolutely not! That’s one big reason it’s important to switch it up when it comes to protein powders and include a good variety in your routine. And remember — it’s OK to use a protein powder that doesn’t have every single amino acid. If you eat organic superfoods as a daily part of your routine, you should consume a full load of amino acids and complete protein foods every day through your diet anyway.

One great reason to consider pea protein in your typical rotation is that it contains about five more grams of protein per serving than whey protein, so it really can be great for building muscle, burning fat and boosting heart health.

Organic Pea Protein Powder is 80% protein and an excellent natural vegetable-based protein powder derived from yellow peas (Pisum sativum).

 

Yellow peas are more commonly known as “split peas” and are used extensively in food preparation such as in soups & purees.

Most commercially available protein powders are derived from soy, rice, eggs, or dairy, which are often problematic for those with allergic dietary concerns. We’ve chosen Organic Pea Protein because it is a plant-based, hypoallergenic protein that yields a high biological value (65.4%). The BV is an accurate indicator of the biological activity of protein. It measures the actual amount of protein deposited per gram of protein absorbed. High BV proteins are a better choice for increased nitrogen retention, possibly supporting a healthy immune system response and IGF-1 levels. They are superior for reducing lean tissue loss from various wasting states than proteins with a low BV score.

Our Organic Pea Protein contains over 5 times the amount of Arginine as compared to whey protein. Arginine, or L-arginine, is an amino acid that is needed to keep the keep the liver, skin, joints and muscles healthy. Arginine helps strengthen the body’s immune system, regulates hormones and blood sugar and promotes male fertility. In addition, research has shown that this amino acid may improve circulation and combat impotence and heart disease. Large concentrations of arginine are found in the skin, and this amino acid plays a key role in the health of all the body’s connective tissues, particularly the muscles. Arginine helps the body process both creatine, a natural substance that helps build muscle mass, and nitrogen, a chemical needed for muscle metabolism. Laboratory research suggests that arginine may help reduce body fat and speed up weight loss. Arginine has also been shown to help support the body’s ability to heal and repair damaged tissues, and thus may be beneficial to both athletes and those suffering from arthritis.

According to a new animal study from Canada, pea protein has shown promising results in supporting healthy blood pressure levels and improving kidney health. Scientists from the University of Manitoba, found that rats fed pea protein hydrolysate experienced a 20% drop in blood pressure when compared to rats on a normal diet.

Some possible health benefits and traditional uses of Organic Pea Protein Powder may include:

  • 22 grams of high-quality protein per 28 gram serving – 80% Protein
  • 100% Plant-Based Protein
  • Highly Soluble & Easy to Digest
  • Excellent Amino Acid Profile – Especially high in Arginine, Glutamine & Leucine
  • Non-GMO
  • Totally raw with no heat used
  • Hypoallergenic
  • 100% Gluten, Soy, & Cholesterol Free
  • Environmentally FriendlySource of Protein

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