The Why, What & How Of Pea Protein.
You may have heard it from another guy from the gym or you might have chanced upon it on your favourite nutrition shop. It’s the new craze among new age health enthusiasts and it seems to be taking the scene by storm. Of course I am talking about Pea Protein.
A few years ago, the health world was excited with the possibility of a vegetable based protein source in the form of Soy Protein. Recently, scientists (and users) found out that it’s not quite the magic ingredient they wanted. Turns out, a lot of people had Soy allergies. Those who want their proteins pure find it hard to find GMO-free soy.
That’s when people started looking for alternatives. They needed an alternative to Whey and other non-vegetarian protein sources that won’t trigger allergies as much and is purely organic. The answer came in the form of the small, unassuming yellow split pea.
Now, you can see Pea Protein in just about every food or nutrition item once dominated by Soy Protein from protein shakes to energy bars. It can even be found in everyday food items including pasta, cereals, and salad dressing.
So What is Pea Protein?
Currently, there are a good number of protein supplements available in the market. Most of them come in powdered form and they provide the much needed nutritional supplements to vegans and gym buffs by transforming the everyday shake or juice into a full meal. Most of the proteins available in the market nowadays contain egg, whey, casein, or soy. They are great in their own rights but not everybody can enjoy them due to lifestyle and health restrictions.
Then comes Pea Protein. Pea Protein is a protein isolate from the Yellow Split Pea (Pisum sativum). It boasts the same qualities as Soy Protein minus all the allergens. It is lactose and gluten free which makes it perfect for people who shy away from regular protein supplements due to allergies and sensitivity.
Unlike Whey, which is the most common form of protein isolate used in supplements, Pea Protein has Legumin instead of Casein which is the number one enemy of lactose-intolerant individuals. This is also aside the fact that it contains a bit less fiber than other alternatives so your body can easily digest it.
Why Should You Use Pea Protein?
As what was mentioned above, there are a number of options for protein supplements. For some, choosing is a matter of “what tastes better” but other people have more pressing issues they have to prioritize. For example, people who are lactose-intolerant stay away from casein-based or whey-based protein supplements. Soy Protein offers itself as a logical alternative but there are a lot of people who are allergic to it.
This is where Pea Protein shines. It has all the positives without the corresponding negatives. It can still provide you with all the protein you need minus all the side effects. Here are some of the most common reasons why people go for Pea Protein.
- It is considered as one of the growing alternatives to Whey (the most popular kind of protein supplement) especially for people who follow a vegan lifestyle or are sensitive to lactose or casein.
- Another great quality of Pea Protein is that not a lot of people are allergic to it. This has been the concern with Soy Protein because although it is a popular vegetarian alternative, it is a very well-known allergen.
- Lastly, Pea Protein is not just a “protein source”. Research has shown that Pea Protein can be beneficial for one’s heart and liver. Pea Protein was found to be good in lowering high blood pressure in rats. Aside from this, it can also delay or prevent the onset of CKD or Chronic Kidney Disease. Another study by the University of Toronto’s Department of Nutritional Sciences saw a correlation between pea protein intake and lower blood sugar. In their study, people who took in pea protein showed lesser glucose level without changing food intake and appetite.
How to Mix Pea Protein
Just like any other protein powder, Pea Protein is actually quite bland or neutral. A lot of first time users even go as far as saying it “tastes like cardboard” so it can be a bit off-putting for some individuals.
Luckily, due to the neutral taste of Pea protein, you can mix it up with other food items to get your much needed protein shot. For most people a protein shake is the best way to go. Just combine your favorite fruits and flavors then add in your Pea Protein and you have one whole meal in a glass. The beauty of this is that the possibilities are endless. Banana Chocolate Shake? Mint Peach Bubblegum? It’s all up to you!
If you are not a big fan of smoothies and shakes, maybe you can just use pea protein on snacks. High protein snacks like a power bar might just work for you. There are a lot of recipes that can be found online such as energy balls, pancakes, and protein bars that you can use Pea Protein on.
Pea Protein may just be considered an up-and-coming protein source but it sure shows us some promise. Simply put, it offers a relatively safe and neutral alternative for those who want to meet or increase their protein intake. People can easily incorporate pea protein in their life. With a neutral taste as it can be added to just about any food recipe.
References:
Soy Protein and Cholesterol by WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/features/soy-and-cholesterol
Best Vegan and Vegetarian Protein Sources by Health.com
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20718479,00.html
The Nutritional Value of Yellow Split Peas by Livestrong
http://www.livestrong.com/article/258824-the-nutritional-value-of-yellow-split-peas/
Proteins From Garden Pea May Help Fight High Blood Pressure, Kidney Disease by Science Daily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090322154407.htm
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