With more awareness of how animals are treated and used in the food industry, people are making more conscious decisions, especially when it comes to supplements and additions to a well balanced diet...
We are seeing more and more people choosing supplements derived from plants, especially when it comes to protein shakes. The reasons for this are many and varied. In this post we will explore some of the benefits of hemp and pea protein, because we love it!
(So you know, there is plenty of science at referenced throughout this post, all of which is referenced at the bottom).
We like Hemp and Pea based combo-proteins because...
1) The combination of hemp and pea creates a well balanced amino-acid profile which is one of the main reasons we drink a protein shake
2) Hemp and pea protein are well studied and their benefits evident (see reference on this post)
3) A total of ZERO cows were used or harmed in the process of making it
Plant based protein shakes
You have probably heard of protein blends/shakes before, many of which are dairy-based, such as whey protein (plus a load of synthetic junk they throw in there) - not our choice. You might have also heard of organic plant-based proteins shakes like hemp and pea protein and would like to know a little more about what they are and why we drink them...
Pros and considerations of hemp and pea plant based protein
Pros: Lactose free, gluten free, soy free, strong amino acid profile, good source of vitamins and minerals, sustainable source of protein, may reduce sugar cravings, no cows used in the process, pea particularly easy to digest, hemp also scores well.
Considerations: People with existing gastrointestinal disorders may want to start with lower dose and consult with their doctor before consuming hemp or any other protein supplement.
*Consult your doctor before adding new foods or supplements to your diet.
Hemp AND pea protein because they work very well together...
Pea protein is rich in the amino acid lysine, however lower in cystine. Hemp protein supplements this with its high levels of cystine, making this a combinacion fantastico! (Fantastic combination!). Hemp protein also is reported to be low-ish in leucine, but the pea makes up for this! An awesome combination.
Both are plant-based proteins that are dairy-free and gluten-free, perfect for people who are not into lactose or looking for a highly ethical protein shake.
Dr Axe adds this splash of wisdom: “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 and heart!”
Hemp and Pea digestibility?
Believe it or not there is actually an official way of scoring the digestibility of foods. It’s called the “protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score” (PDCAAS). PDCAAS is a way of evaluating the protein quality of a product based on the amino acid requirement of consumers and how they easily digest it. Pea protein has a PDCAAS of 0.73 and protein digestibility rate of 90% while dehulled hemp seed - the source of hemp protein - has PDCAAS of 83.5-92.1 and protein digestibility rate of 63-66%.
“The current results provide reference data in support of protein claims for hemp seed products and provide evidence that hemp proteins have a PDCAAS equal to or greater than certain grains, nuts, and some pulses.”
Benefits of drinking a protein shake?
Studies also indicate that drinking a protein shake post-workout may reduce muscle soreness and muscle damage. And, that increased intake of protein (post-workout) along with effective training and a well balanced diet, may also aid in a faster recovery muscle thickness.
The list of benefits doesn’t end there! Our hemp and pea protein powders are produced naturally and grown through organic farming, grown in an environment free from pesticides and/or additives. Furthermore, as both proteins are plant-based, you aid in protecting millions of cows that are often harmed and exploited in the dairy industry the source of dairy-based proteins! So, while enjoying the benefits of this plant based protein you will be avoiding the risks associated with some chemically-enhanced, dairy based proteins AND you also get to support the environment!
Hemp protein is delivering the goods:
260 milligrams magnesium (65 percent DV)
6.3 milligrams iron (35 percent DV)
380 milligrams potassium (11 percent DV)
60 milligrams calcium (6 percent DV)
Bonus benefits of hemp protein:
Hemp is also rich in the amino acid arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide–known for increasing the availability of energy, improving endurance and recovery, and reducing fatigue. We like this a lot. It also contains gamma-linoleic acid which is linked to lower inflammation in the body AND may help prevent regaining fat after losing it.
Pea protein bonus benefits:
Virtually allergen free (unlike many other foods, easily digested, is a good source of vitamin D, may support heart health AND it's not soy ;)
If you like the sound of this then our ENRICHD raw protein blends come in three different flavors: NO COW CACAO, BERRY BEAUTIFUL and PLAIN JANE!
Warning: Always check with your doctor before adding any new to your diet.
Hemp and Pea protein science and references:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24435468
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4307635/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24027180
https://ameliakarg.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/hemp-seed-nutrition-protein/
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/38133/1/9251030979_eng.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20977230
https://www.votehemp.com/PDF/Evaluating-the-Quality-of-Protein-from-Hemp-Seed-and-Hemp-Seed-Products-Through-the-use-of-the-Protein-Digestibility-Corrected-Amino-Acid-Score-Method.pdf
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf102636b
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20622542
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/89/1/161.full.html
https://draxe.com/pea-protein/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008816