Discover the Benefits of Pea Protein Powder

Proteins are the basic building blocks of all cells in the human body. Once consumed, the body digests and breaks down protein into branch-chained amino acids. Various amino acids play important roles in metabolism, proper organ and immune system functioning, hydration, and muscle growth and repair.

Nine amino acids are essential because they are not manufactured by the body and must be consumed for proper nutrition and maximum functioning. If you want to lose weight, build lean muscle mass, improve athletic performance, and/or reduce muscle recovery time, a protein supplement with high levels of the essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine may be beneficial.

The proper amino acid mix can be obtained from both animal and plant sources.

What is Pea Protein?

Yellow peas contain high-quality plant-based proteins and give consumers a protein alternative to animal products. Pea protein powder is obtained by extracting pea protein isolate from split peas. Pea Protein is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free, and keto-friendly. It is also considered hypoallergenic since allergic reactions to pea protein are exceedingly rare.

For vegans, pea protein contains all nine of the essential amino acids. However, not all factions consider it a complete protein with its low levels of methionine. The essential amino acid methionine may help reduce overall inflammation, a result of repetitive exercises.  Methionine also provides sulfur to enhance muscle growth and metabolism.

Comparison of Whey and Pea Protein

Whey protein comes from milk. Whey protein powder has been chemically separated from the watery milk byproduct of making cheese. Depending on the chemical process, whey protein powder may contain a small amount of lactose.

Pea protein is mechanically separated and is lactose-free.

The nutritional components of whey and pea protein powders are comparable. They both have zero sugar and contain close to the same amounts of calories, carbohydrates, fats, cholesterol, calcium, and potassium.

Whey has slightly higher amounts of protein than pea protein, and it absorbs more quickly into the bloodstream. Pea protein has slightly more fiber and sodium than whey and substantially more iron.

The following table compares the overall protein content, the bioavailability rate given in digestion time, and the breakdown of individual essential amino acids (link Whey Protein Powder Article) of whey and pea protein powders.

Grams of Protein were obtained from SOS product nutrition labels.

Essential Amino Acids content obtained from Gorissen, Stefen H. M. et al. “Protein Content and Amino Acid Composition of Commercially Available Plant-Based Protein Isolates.” Amino Acids. 2018.

Health Benefits of Pea Protein

Aids Weight Loss

Pea protein may affect weight loss in three ways.  

1. It contains fiber which helps a person feel fuller for longer.
2. It contains high levels of the essential amino acids, valine and phenylalanine, which suppress appetite.
3. Protein has a high thermic effect and requires more energy to digest.

Supports Muscle Gain, Rejuvenation, and Repair

The sports nutrition benefits of pea protein are comparable to whey protein, making it perfect for clean muscle gains.

In an eight-week functional training study, men and women were given either pea or whey protein supplements. Researchers determined pea and whey protein have similar outcomes in force production, strength, body composition, and muscle thickness.

In a double-blind study of non-athletic males, participants were given either 0.9 g/kg body weight of pea protein, whey protein, or water. The study showed pea protein performed almost as well as whey protein in helping to reduce blood biomarkers for muscle damage caused by eccentric exercises.

Lactose-Free

Lactose is a sugar found in milk. Pea protein contains no lactose. It is a safe and readily digestible protein for people who are lactose intolerant.

May Help Decrease Blood Pressure

Both rat and human studies indicate regular pea protein consumption may help decrease systolic blood pressure by up to 5-6 mmHg. Pea protein may also help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad cholesterol).

A Better Protein Source for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The kidneys filter and remove wastes through urine. Processing plant proteins are easier for the kidneys than processing animal proteins. Consuming pea protein may help lower blood serum toxin and phosphorous levels. Calcium is leached out of bones when blood serum phosphorous levels are too high.

For individuals struggling with decreased kidney functioning, consuming more plant-based proteins may lower mortality rates. In a large study conducted over eight years, lower mortality risks were associated with each one-third increase of plant protein in overall daily protein consumption.

Xiaorui Chen, a researcher with the University of Utah: School of Medicine, said, “We were surprised to see such an impressive association. Every 33 percent plant of total protein ratio increase was associated with a 23% lower risk of mortality in those with CKD.”

Bottom Line

Both whey protein and pea protein provide the necessary amino acids to support fat loss, help increase lean muscle mass, and aid the speed of recovery and repair of spent muscle tissue. In the end, it is your personal preference that determines the right protein source for you.

Whey protein has a higher bioavailability rate and slightly more of the muscle-building essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Pea protein is completely lactose-free, hypoallergenic, and sustainably vegan.

SOS’s Pea Protein Powder

SOS’s pea powder is a plant-based product with no additives and is, as advertised, 100% vegan protein powder. There are no added flavors, sugars, chemicals, preservatives, or food coloring.

Increase your protein intake by preparing your favorite protein smoothie or shake, meals, and/or favorite snacks with pea protein. Pea protein powder is versatile and can be added to both cold and hot recipes. It has a neutral taste and readily blends with water to add a smooth texture to any recipe.

Try SOS’s Pea Protein Powder today and discover the power of pea protein to help you lose fat and gain lean muscle mass. SOS’s products are also available on Amazon.com.

These statements on pea protein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The content of SOS’s website is for information only, not advice or guarantee of outcome. Information is gathered and shared from reputable sources; however, SOS is not responsible for errors or omissions in reporting or explanation. No individuals, including those taking SOS products, should use the information, resources or tools contained within to self-diagnosis or self-treat any health-related condition. SOS gives no assurance or warranty regarding the accuracy, timeliness or applicability of the content.

Sources

• Snyder, Cecilia. “Pea Protein vs. Whey Protein: Which is Better?” Healthline. 2021. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pea-protein-vs-whey#comparison
• Gorissen, Stefen H. M. et al. “Protein Content and Amino Acid Composition of Commercially Available Plant-Based Protein Isolates.” Amino Acids. 2018 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6245118/ 
• AminoAcidsGuide.com 2019. https://aminoacidsguide.com/ 
• Nieman DC et al. “Effects of Whey and Pea Protein Supplementation on Post-Eccentric Exercise Muscle Damage: A Randomized Trial.” PubMed. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32784847/ 
• Banaszek A et al. “The Effects of Whey vs. Pea Protein on Physical Adaptations Following 8-Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): A Pilot Study.” PubMed. 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30621129/ 
• Li H et al. “Blood pressure lowering effect of a pea protein hydrolysate in hypertensive rats and humans.” PubMed. 2011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21854068/ 
• Chen, Xiaorui et al. “The Association of plant protein intake with all-cause mortality in CKD.” Science Direct. 2016. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027263861501339 
• “Plant Protein May be Associated with Reduced Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.” National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/news/plant-protein-reduces-mortality-chronic-kidney-disease-patients 
• Spielmann J, Stangl GI, Eder K. “Dietary pea protein stimulates bile acid excretion and lowers hepatic cholesterol concentration in rats.” PubMed. 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19012614/