A-Z plant-based protein Articles

Hemp protein is extracted from seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The particular subtypes of this plant referred to as hemp, are very low in THC and thus are not able to produce the psychoactive effects attributed to the high THC forms of this plant commonly called "marijuana". Hemp seeds come from species of this plant that are low in THC and thus will not produce any psychoactive effects. Hemp protein is not only a rich source of protein but also contains essential fatty acids (EFAs), and fibre as well.

Nutritional Content of Hemp Protein Powder

Hemp seeds are a rich source of nutrition and healthy fibre. When the hemp seeds are cold pressed to form protein powder, that powder maintains its rich content of healthy oils. Hemp protein powder contains protein, EFAs and fibre.

Nutritional Information

Key Health Benefits of Hemp Protein

Because hemp is such an eco-friendly crop, hemp protein powder is probably the most environmentally friendly protein powder source. In addition to being eco-friendly, hemp also contains dietary fibre and essential fatty acids, both of which have additional health benefits. Fibre can increase digestive motility, stabilize blood sugar, and reduce the risk of some gastrointestinal diseases. EFAs are essential to your overall health and support healthy skin and proper hormone levels. Hemp protein powder is also a rich source of omega 3 and omega 6 healthy fats.

Shopping For Quality Hemp Protein Powder

Eating hemp seeds is one great way to get more hemp protein. Hemp protein can also be found in protein bars, drink mixes, meal replacements, weight loss formulas, body-building formulas, or as a plain powder. 

The powder can be added to water, juice or other fluids to make a shake, or can be added to cooking or baking to increase the protein content of your food. The dose of protein powder recommended depends on the percentage of protein by weight, and your activity level and bodily requirements. People generally require 1 – 2 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight. The lower end of the scale is for simply maintaining muscle mass with a sedentary lifestyle, while the higher end of the scale is for people looking to add significant muscle mass.

Potential Side Effects of Hemp Products

Although rare, hemp seed oil may cause sleepiness, bloodshot eyes, and liver problems in children. While hemp is extracted from a different plant than marijuana, it does belong to the cannabis family; therefore, if you have a cannabis allergy, you might also have an allergic reaction to hemp. Use hemp with caution if you are allergic to cannabis. If you have surgery scheduled, note that hemp protein might lower blood pressure.

Pea protein is made from yellow split peas, which are part of the legume family. It is an easily digestible source of protein and is packed with other useful nutrients such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAA’s), arginine and lysine.

Health Benefits of Pea Protein

Pea protein has a moderate bioavailability and is rated with a biological value (BV) of 49.

In addition to being a good general protein supplement, pea protein is extremely high in BCAA’s. This means that it can act as an alternate energy source for tired muscle cells during a hard workout, and help to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) afterwards. Supplementing with pea protein can also provide an excellent source of both arginine and lysine. Arginine plays a role in boosting muscle anabolism, and immunity, and reducing erectile dysfunction. Lysine is also involved in muscle growth and plays a major role in bone development as it increases the absorption and storage of calcium. In addition to this, lysine helps to prevent the outbreak of herpes infections.

Other Benefits of Pea Protein

Unlike many other protein sources, pea protein is hypoallergenic. This means that very few people are sensitive to pea protein. It is vegan, gluten-free, and much less expensive than some other protein supplements. Pea protein is also lower on the food chain than animal sources such as whey or egg, requiring less of an ecological footprint for production.

Supplements & Combination Products

Pea protein is not a complete protein, so it cannot be eaten as the sole protein source in one’s diet. Commercially, pea protein is often combined with rice protein to create a more balanced protein supplement that remains hypoallergenic and vegan.

Tips For Adding Pea Protein Into Your Diet

Pea protein comes in powder form and can be found in drink mixes, smoothies, meal replacements, body-building supplements, protein bars, and in plain powder form. The powder can be mixed with water, juice, or a smoothie or can beadded to food or baking to increase daily protein intake. Dosing depends on your body’s protein requirements, which vary with activity level and muscle mass. In general, people need between 1 and 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Some protein supplements far exceed this requirement. If you wish to dose at higher levels, follow the recommended dosage on the supplement label.

Rice protein supplements are made from brown rice. The rice is treated with enzymes that separate the carbohydrates from the proteins. The resulting protein powder can be used as a great vegan, hypoallergenic source of supplemental protein.

Benefits of Rice Protein

Unlike many of the other protein sources, rice is hypoallergenic. It is vegan and gluten-free, and is also much less expensive than some other protein sources.

It is also lower on the food chain than animal sources such as whey or egg, requiring less of an ecological footprint to produce.

Digestibility and Bioavailability

This protein powder is extremely easy to digest (think of rice pablum for babies), and the protein is quite bioavailable. The BV (biological value) rating of this protein is 59.

Supplement Options

Rice protein is not a complete protein, so it cannot be eaten as the sole protein source in one’s diet. Because it is naturally low in lysine, it must be consumed with other forms of protein, either in the diet or in powder form. Commercially, this protein is often combined with pea protein to create a more balanced protein supplement that remains hypoallergenic and vegan.

Shopping for Quality Rice Protein

This protein comes in powder form and can be found in drink mixes, smoothies, meal replacements, body building supplements, protein bars, and in plain powder form. The powder can be mixed with water, juice, or into a smoothie or can be added to food or baking to increase daily protein intake. Dosing depends on your body’s protein requirements, which vary with activity level and muscle mass. In general, people need between 1 and 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Some protein supplements far exceed this requirement. If you wish to dose at higher levels, follow the recommended dosage on the supplement label.