With the abundance of trendingprotein powders and supplements around the fitness industry, it can be hard to wrap your head around what your body needs and what you're led to believe it needs.
Typically, your body needs around 0.75g of protein per kilo of your bodyweight for optimal performance to break down amino acids and help the growth and repair of your hair, skin and muscles.
What is Pea Protein Made Of?
Pea protein, or pea protein isolate, is made by isolating proteins from ground yellow peas to form a beige powder. It is the up-and-coming popular plant-based protein used by vegans, vegetarians, or people with allergies to meet their protein intake by adding it to smoothies,food, and drinks, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Is Pea Protein Good For You?
Popular belief has shown that pea protein is good for you due to its nutritional values, allowing for numerous health benefits.
(Nutritional values can vary between brands)
Pea Protein Powder |
|
Calories |
127 Kcal |
Total fat |
3g |
Saturated fat |
0.5g |
Sodium |
0.8g |
Potassium |
160mg |
Total carbohydrates |
2g |
Protein |
24.3g |
High Quality Protein Values
As one of the easiest to digest and absorb plant proteins, pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids that your body must obtain from food, as it cannot naturally produce them. It is also a great source of thebranched amino acid, arginine, which helps the body build protein and promotes healthy blood flow and heart health.
Pea Protein - Builds Muscle Mass
Studies have shown that when paired with strength and resistance training, pea protein can help build muscle mass. It has been suggested that pea protein is just as practical, if not more effective, than everyday dairy-based protein products at building muscle mass.
However, it is imperative to reiterate that this isonly the case when paired with regular, consistent exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Pea Protein - Keeps You Full
Protein has been proven to help people feel fuller for longer than carbs or fat, insinuating that a high protein diet could reduce calorie intake and lead to gradual weight loss.
Pea protein is just as easy and effective at increasing protein intake as traditional dairy-based protein powders such aswhey or casein.
Pea Protein - Works With Many Special Diets
As a naturally vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free protein, pea protein does not contain any of thetop 8 food allergens. Therefore, pea protein powder works well with many diets. Unlike many other protein powders with a gritty and chalky texture, it blends well with water.
While pea protein powder works well with most diets, if you have a pea allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity, it is vital to stay away from pea protein of any form.
High in Sodium
Although pea protein is generally well tolerated, it is relatively high in sodium, with some products containing up to 390 mg per serving. Therefore, people who require a sodium-restricted diet need to be conscious of the amount of pea protein they consume.
How To Use Pea Protein
As mentioned above, as a general rule, you should consume0.75g of protein per kilo of body weight daily to build muscle. However, you mustn’t overdo it on the protein. Exceeding 2g of protein per kilo of body weight could cause serioushealth issues such as dehydration, cancer, kidney and heart disease, constipation and even weight gain. Our Nutristrength Pea Protein blend has an easy-use 32g scoop to prevent excess protein intake.
Most of those who use pea protein powder add it to smoothies or mix it with juice or water for a post-workout beverage.
For other creative ways to use your pea protein powder, check out our mouth-wateringrecipes:
Pea protein powder should be consumed within two hours of exercise for maximum muscle-building effects.
Pea Protein Powder
Pea protein powder is a high-quality, easily digestible protein source from yellow peas. Rich in iron, arginine and BCAAs, pea protein powder offers numerous benefits such as improved muscle growth, feelings of fullness and heart health.
Pea protein powder is an excellent option if you're looking to add more protein to your diet.