Proteins help to facilitate tissue growth, repair and recovery, and are an integral part of a training program that seeks to reduce body fat, promote lean muscle mass and provide an adequate supply of energy as one of the key macronutrients.
One question that has been heavily debated in the realm of fitness nutrition specifically centers around whether plant-based products can supply not only the proper amount of protein, but the right kind of amino-acid profile, along with all the necessary micronutrients and antioxidants.
Certain methods have been developed to determine the bio-availability (BV), or efficiency of the amino acid profile in providing a protein that will provide optimal functioning for the body.
Amino Acid profiles are simply the combination of amino acids, or building blocks of protein that comprise a food source. The body produces the non-essential amino acids which include a total of 12, but the 8 essential amino acids must be added in through the diet. These 8 essential amino acids include: Phenylalanine, the three Branched Chain Amino Acids Valine, Leucine and Isoleucine, Lysine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and finally Methionine.
When a food item or supplement is labeled a Complete Protein, that simply means that the protein’s profile was deemed high by the BV rating.
The benefit of a plant-based food source is that it is free from unnecessary fats, cholesterols, hormones and steroids that can be found in other food sources. Often times, when trying to decrease the amount of animal food sources in your diet, it can be a bit more difficult to meet your protein requirements, especially if you are an athlete and have special dietary needs for performance. A pea-based protein source, such as a protein shake offers the best of BOTH worlds in terms of overall nutritional content and digestibility, along with high-protein content.
Pea protein is one of the most hypoallergenic of all proteins due to the absence of gluten and dairy, making it one of the most easily digestible proteins, therefore reducing nasty stomach bloat and gas.
Pea protein also has the unique capability to lower levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. Ghrelin is secreted by your stomach when it’s empty to tell your brain, “feed me!” In comes Pea protein to the rescue! Pea protein produces a great number of peptides which help to delay the emptying of your stomach and in turn the secretion of ghrelin, thereby reducing constant hunger pains and leaving you feeling fuller longer.
Another common myth regarding vegetable-based proteins is that they don’t have the same effect on muscle growth and recovery after workouts as dairy-based whey proteins. However, this is not the case! A 2015 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition proved pea protein increases muscle thickness just as potently as dairy-based proteins.
This is due in part to pea proteins containing larger amounts of L-Arginine than other protein products. Arginine — and l-arginine — is an amino acid that helps you to build muscle and is desirable for both athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Pea proteins also aid in blood sugar regulation and can also be beneficial to those who struggle with chronic conditions associated with blood pressure.
As a Team BeautyFit® Athlete, Professor of Exercise Science and Nutrition, and Master Trainer, I care greatly about the products and food sources that go into my body. I am super excited to see our latest addition to our product family, the BeautyFit Vegan protein shake, which has a whopping 24 grams of protein, a high BCAA profile for energy and endurance, and muscle repair, recovery, and growth, along with a balanced combination of the non-essential and essential amino acids listed above.
I also know how important is to keep your gut health in top condition, which includes avoiding foods and products that cause stomach inflammation, and in turn issues with bloat, gas, and nutrient absorption. Our pea protein is a great solution to those who struggle with these issues!
Learn more about BeautyVegan Pea Protein!
Stay BeautyFit Strong!
Yours in health and fitness,
