- Are you vegan or vegetarian?
- Are you looking for new protein sources?
- Tired of the same protein everyday?
Did you know that Shakeology Vegan Tropical Strawberry is made with pea protein. I am not vegan but I drink this shake every morning for breakfast because I like the light sweet taste to start my day. It is made with pea protein. Most vegetarians and vegans are familiar with pea protein but everyone else might not be.
Vegans and vegetarians often struggle with finding ways to find ways to provide their bodies with enough protein to sustain a busy lifestyle. A diet rich in legumes helps, but some legumes are difficult to digest or have possible negative side effects. Peas have been around forever, but have only recently been rediscovered and marketed in health foods stores. So what is pea protein and why should you consider including it in your diet?
What Is Pea Protein?
Peas are a member of the legume family, which includes many well-known sources of vegetable protein. Soy protein has been a major ingredient in protein powder supplements, but in recent years, pea protein has become popular. When marketers refer to “pea protein”, they are referring to green or yellow peas. If you have ever made split pea soup or Indian dal, the dried split peas you used are the raw materials for making pea protein based powders.
Health Benefits of Pea Protein
Pea protein is said to be one of the perfect proteins for us to eat. Its benefits over both animal and other vegetable proteins include:
Ease of digestion.
Lack of allergens.
Ideal amino acids for sports.
Some users find soy and other sources of protein difficult to digest, but pea protein is one of the easiest to eat proteins. Soy, whey, egg and animal-based protein supplements have all been shown to produce allergic reactions in some people and their potential for allergic reactions can increase with repeated use. Of all the protein supplements available, pea proteins have been shown to produce the least allergic reactions.
Perhaps most importantly for sports enthusiasts, pea protein contains an ideal combination of essential amino acids for sports performance:
Lysine, for balanced nitrogen levels in muscles.
Arginine promotes muscle metabolism and a healthy heart.
Glutamine helps restore nitrogen balance after a heavy workout.
Leucine, isoleucine and valine (branched-chain amino acids) help maintain tissues during exercise.
Natural Peas or Pea Protein Powders?
Of course, manufacturers of pea protein supplements tout the benefits of their products, but what about plain old garden variety peas? Boiled green peas that you feed your family contain 8 grams of protein, very low levels of fat, high levels of essential vitamins and minerals and over 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of potassium. Pea protein powders have the advantages of even higher levels of protein and because of the way they are processed, do not produce flatulence.
If there is a down side to pea protein supplements, it is that there is such a thing as too much protein. Excessively high protein intake can lead to a build up of uric acid in the system, which causes gout, a painful inflammatory disease that affects the joints. It can also lead to the leeching of calcium from the bones, which can have severe long-term consequences.
So eat your peas!