What is the Pea Protein Powder we use in NGX Protein?
Pea protein powder is a core component of the NGX Protein powder we use in personalised NGX BodyFuel, BodyFuel Pro and PowerPack nutrition products.
The pea is a popular plant-based protein source that has become increasingly popular over the years due to environmental and ethical concerns. It is derived from yellow split peas and is a great source of protein, especially if you cannot consume animal-based protein sources. This blog will explore what pea protein powder is and the main benefits it provides.
What is Pea Protein Powder?
Pea protein powder is a supplement made from yellow split peas. The peas are harvested, dried, and ground into a fine powder, which is then used as a protein supplement (you can read more about how we process the pea powder here).
Pea protein powder is considered a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids required by the body. It is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, making it a great option if you have dietary restrictions.
Benefits of Pea Protein Powder:
1. Provides High-Quality Protein:
Pea protein powder is a great source of high-quality protein that delivers a high concentration of around 20-25g of protein per 30g serving. It is a ‘complete’ protein source, which means it contains all the essential amino acids that muscle tissue needs, but the body cannot produce itself.
2. Helps Build Muscle:
Research has shown that pea protein powder stimulates muscle protein synthesis to an equivalent extent as animal-based protein sources like whey protein (1). This makes it perfect for building or maintaining muscle mass.
3. Helps with Weight Loss:
Pea protein powder can also help with weight loss. It is low in fat, carbohydrates and calories, yet the high protein content helps reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness. In fact, protein is the best macronutrient to keep you feeling full. A study conducted by Pal et al. (2016) found that pea protein supplementation can help reduce caloric intake and promote weight loss (3).
4. Supports Heart Health:
Pea protein powder can also help support heart health. It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and has been shown to help lower blood pressure (2).
5. Easily Digestible:
One of our favourite benefits of pea protein powder. It's easily digestible and hypoallergenic. This means NGX Protein is great for sensitive stomachs and a great option if you suffer from digestive issues, food allergies or intolerances.
So overall – pea protein is an excellent protein source, which is why it forms a core part of the NGX Protein we use in personalised BodyFuel and PowerPack nutrition products. It is a complete protein source that helps build muscle and supports weight loss, and heart health. It's easily digestible and hypoallergenic, making it a suitable option if you have dietary restrictions.
References
- Babault, N., Païzis, C., Deley, G., Guérin-Deremaux, L., Saniez, M.-H., Lefranc-Millot, C., & Allaert, F. A. (2015). Pea proteins oral supplementation promotes muscle thickness gains during resistance training: A double-blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled clinical trial vs. Whey protein. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 1–9.
- Li, H., Prairie, N., Udenigwe, C. C., Adebiyi, A. P., & Tappia, P. S. (2019). A systematic review of the effect of dietary pulses on blood pressure in humans. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2019, 7631572.
- Pal, S., Ellis, V., & Ho, S. (2016). Acute effects of whey protein isolate on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight, post-menopausal women. Atherosclerosis, 246, 130–136.
