So, you want to know more about protein?
Protein is an essential macronutrient needed for the everyday function of our bodies. Protein is made up of amino acids, and are the building blocks of your cells and tissues. Protein is needed for growth and development.
It may come as a surprise, but you can get protein from most of the foods you eat. However, some things have a higher protein content that others and it can be difficult to reach your daily requirements, especially if you are working out and need to replenish and repair your cells. That is why using protein powder is a great way to make sure you’re getting enough protein daily.
It can be overwhelming seeing all the different types of protein powders available: whey, pea protein, casein, egg, soy, rice, hemp, and even cricket powders - just to name a few. Where they come from, how they are processed, and do they suit your needs are the questions you should be asking when choosing which protein powder to take.
Here at Nuzest we specialise in pea protein powder, a plant-based alternative to the conventional animal protein powder, whey. We are a bit bias but we think pea protein is the superior choice - and here's why:
What is pea protein?
Pea protein is a highly digestible and sustainable protein extracted from yellow peas. Clean Lean Protein is made by grinding dried peas into a fine powder, then removing the starch and fibre, leaving a powdered concentrated protein substance (aka pea protein isolate). It’s a high-quality protein source, rich in iron, and provides the building blocks for vitality, repair, recovery, and muscle growth. Pea protein is completely plant-based, making it the more planet friendly and hypoallergenic option.
What are the benefits of pea protein?
Pea protein is high in branch chain amino acids (BCAAs) – made up of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These three amino acids are a part of the 9 ‘essential’ amino acids, meaning they cannot be produced by the body so must be consumed through the diet daily. BCAAs have been shown to help support lean muscle mass and muscle recovery.
Pea protein is naturally hypoallergenic, meaning it is free from common allergens such as soy, wheat, gluten, dairy, peanuts, eggs, fish. This makes it an excellent source of protein for vegans, vegetarians, and individuals with intolerances and allergies.
Pea protein is noted for its very high digestibility rating as it is gentle on the gastrointestinal tract. Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein is of high-quality, which increases its absorption and nutritional quality. Additionally, Clean Lean Protein is also free from fillers, gums, and artificial preservatives, which further increases its digestibility.
Peas are classified as a sustainable crop as they use less land and water than other protein sources, and are not bi-products of unsustainable industries like meat and dairy. Peas, through their germination process, also add vital nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil.
Is pea protein a complete protein?
Firstly, what is a complete protein? There are 21 different amino acids (the building blocks of protein) that are required by humans. Most of these amino acids we can make ourselves, but 9 of them, called ‘essential’ amino acids we cannot, therefore we must source them from our food. If something is a ‘complete’ protein that means that it contains all 9 essential amino acids.
Pea protein is a complete protein, as it contains all 9 essential amino acids needed for healthy growth and cellular function. Most plant-based foods contain protein but only a few of the 9 essential amino acids, that’s why you need to consume a variety of protein-based foods throughout the day to ensure you are getting the required amount of essential amino acids.
Of the other 12 remaining amino acids, 6 are called ‘conditionally essential’ amino acids, these are important at certain times of growth or when the body is under physiological stress, like exercise or illness. It is beneficial to consume additional amounts in your diet, so having a pea protein shake helps to ensure that you are getting plenty of protein for your body to function at its best, every day.
How does pea protein compare to other plant-proteins?
Pea vs rice protein:
Both protein powders are hypoallergenic and ideal for vegans. Unlike pea protein, rice protein is not a complete protein source, you will often find rice protein powders also include other proteins to make it complete. Clean Lean Protein is 84% protein compared to an average of 80% for rice protein powders in New Zealand.
Pea vs soy protein:
Soy is also a part of the legume family and is relatively cheap to make. Soy contains isoflavones which are a type of plant estrogen, similar to the human hormone estrogen. There is conflicting research on isoflavones and a widely known controversy about soy’s possible effects on the body. Soy is a complete protein, but it is a part of the common allergens group.
Pea vs hemp protein:
Hemp is a great source of protein, it comes from the seeds of the cannabis plant, but without the compounds responsible for getting you high. Hemp contains fibre, zinc, iron, magnesium, and omega 3, which are all great nutrients for overall health. However, hemp is low in the essential amino acid lysine, which is important for immune function. Pea protein is rich in lysine and contains around two times the amount of total protein per serve.
Will pea protein help lose weight?
Clean Lean Protein is high in protein but low in sugar and carbs, and supports overall vitality, recovery, and repair. Research shows that protein keeps you feeling fuller for longer and can help you to regulate your caloric intake. Pea protein is not a fat burner, but it can be a great addition to a healthy diet aimed at healthy weight management. For example, making a protein smoothie for breakfast that contains fruits and vegetables instead of reaching for cocoa pops and milk, will supply you with nourishment that will keep you feeling satisfied for longer. When trying to lose weight, reducing calories can be the easiest option, but often with that comes a reduced amount of vital nutrients needed for your body to function optimally. Please always consult a health care professional so you can stay safe and healthy.
If you are looking to lose weight, then check out our ebook - Your Guide To Healthy Weight Management. The Guide To Healthy Weight is a simple, 28-day self-motivated challenge with nutrition and lifestyle tips for weight management.
Will pea protein help you build muscle?
Protein is an essential part of our muscular system; it helps to build, repair, and maintain muscle mass. You can’t build muscle without essential amino acids.
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein contains up to 20 grams of protein per 25 gram serving and contains all 9 essential amino acids for the support you need to build lean muscle mass. Of course, you can’t build muscle just by eating more protein, it comes hand in hand with resistance exercise.
To get those gains, the muscles need to be synthesising more muscle than it breaks down, that is why supplementing with a high-quality pea protein like Clean Lean Protein can help you meet your daily protein requirements and build muscle.
Does pea protein cause acne?
A common issue for some people when they start using whey protein is acne. This is because milk contains several growth hormones, meant to grow a calf into a cow, and some studies1 have shown it can cause breakouts in humans. Pea protein is made from plants and doesn’t contain these growth hormones, instead it is a clean source of protein necessary for skin health and cell production.
Read more about what foods are good for skin health...
Does pea protein cause gas or bloating?
A common and unwanted side effect from consuming whey or casein-based protein is gas. Many people have trouble digesting milk proteins and lactose and in response to this stomach cramps, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhoea may occur. Others who are not sensitive to lactose may still have these side effects, that can be caused by the additives like sorbitol.
Because pea protein is an allergen friendly, plant-based protein it does not have these common side effects. Pisane, the pea protein isolate used in Clean Lean Protein, has a digestibility rating of 98%, making it easier to digest than other plant-based and animal-based proteins.
Pea protein is absorbed easily and is extremely low in antinutrients, allergens and irritants that can also cause flatulence and gut issues.
Is pea protein safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding?
According to our health advisors, Clean Lean Protein is safe for consumption during pregnancy and may help achieve the additional protein requirements during this time.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an additional 31 grams of protein per day in the first, second and third trimesters are required to support a 13.8 kg gestational weight gain.
However, every individual is different and may have specific requirements, so we always advise women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to seek independent advice from their health practitioner first.
Read more about protein and pregnancy...
Is pea protein inflammatory?
In short, no, it should help reduce inflammation.
Inflammation generally occurs when you have consumed something that you are sensitive or allergic to. Your immune system responds by producing histamine, a natural compound that dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow, and swells tissues.
Because pea protein is allergen free you are unlikely to have an inflammatory response unless you are of course allergic to peas. Studies have shown that pea protein can be beneficial for immune function, as it is high in the amino acid lysine, which helps maintain a health immune system2.
Inflammatory responses can be seen when you consume dairy-based proteins, as they are a common allergen for many people. The response is varied, but may include hives, headaches, bloating, nausea, runny nose, and shortness of breath.
Whey vs Pea Protein?
Whey protein is derived from milk and there are more and more people experiencing allergies and intolerances to dairy products these days. The production processes involved with the dairy industry have a far greater negative impact on the environment than plant-based proteins.
For many, whey protein can be more difficult to digest, may cause abdominal discomfort, bloating and fatigue. Pea protein, on the other hand, is produced via the extraction of soluble pea protein from yellow split peas. Its lactose free, gluten free and lectin free, making it ideal for those with intolerances, allergies or digestive issues.
Is Pea protein ok for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Pea protein is a great alternative for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Clean Lean Protein is derived from a clean, sustainable source, which is free from allergens like wheat, soy, eggs and dairy, all common triggers for IBS symptoms.
Our pea protein contains up to 90% protein, thanks to our isolation process which separates the protein isolate from the rest (carbohydrates, starch, fibre and fats), which makes it low FODMAP.
Clean Lean Protein doesn’t contain the types of carbohydrates and sugar-alcohols—such as disaccharides, fructose, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polyols—that are harder for many to digest.
Many other protein powders contain sweeteners and sugars that can trigger IBS symptoms, such as fructose, polyols, sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol. Nuzest only uses Thaumatin as a sweetener, which is a protein extracted from the katemfe fruit.
Because pea protein is derived from isolate, and the carbohydrates are removed, it doesn’t serve as an IBS trigger.
Does pea protein taste bad?
Pea protein often gets a bad rap for tasting like, for lack of a better word, dirt. That’s where Nuzest is different. Clean Lean Protein is delicious, it has a great mouthfeel, never gritty, mixes smoothly and is an overall enjoyable drink. We don’t use stevia in our protein, we use thaumatin which is known for creating a great mouth feel and smoothness and it is processed in the same way as protein is processed within the body.
We have 8 delicious flavours to choose from: Just Natural, Smooth Vanilla, Rich Chocolate, Real Coffee, Wild Strawberry, Vanilla Matcha, Coffee Coconut MCT’s, and Chai Turmeric Maca.
Not only is Clean Lean Protein great to shake up with some water or plant-milk, but it’s also fantastic in a smoothie, mixes well in oats and complements many raw desserts. The possibilities are endless, and you can find so many delicious recipes using pea protein on the internet, we even have a couple hundred to look at on our website.
Everyone has different tastes, so the best option would be to purchase single serve sachets of Nuzest Clean Lean Protein, so you can try it out before committing to a larger tub.
Ultimately pea protein tastes as good as it is for you, it’s what you do with it that counts.
What is the best pea protein?
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein of course… we aren’t bias, it’s just the truth!
Clean Lean Protein uses premium European golden peas, grown in nutrient rice, uncontaminated soils of Northern France. They are processed by a private company who are world leaders in pea protein isolation, with clean water, without the use of chemicals, in Belgium. Strict European growing and processing regulations ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
This pea protein is widely acclaimed as the highest quality pea protein isolate in the world. Quality checks are in place throughout the supply chain. Growers are carefully selected and even the non-GMO seeds are provided to farmers to ensure quality standards are maintained.
Wheat chaff is separated from the crops before processing to reduce the risk of gluten contamination. The protein then goes through a patented, water-based isolation process to produce a very fine powder with very little taste or smell of pea, which is a sign of very high-quality protein isolate.
Clean Lean Protein is allergen free and the only pea protein isolate to have a lectin-free status which ensures a higher digestibility.
The final test of quality is the actual protein content, the higher the content, the better the isolation process. At up to 90% protein content (measured on Dry Matter), the pea protein isolate used by Nuzest, is the highest in the world.
Our final product is a very fine powder that is easy to mix and flavour. This is how we have such a smooth texture and delicious tasting protein. At the end stage, we also test for common allergens, heavy metals, herbicides, and pesticides.
You thought that was it, no. When blending, we use nothing but natural flavours and sweetener. Our sweetener is made from a West African fruit, Katemfe. We don’t use any processing aides, emulsifiers, gums, fillers, added sugars, preservatives, or anything artificial. This is carried out under strict GMP conditions with the finished product again being tested for gluten, dairy, soy and safe microbial content.
Where can I buy pea protein powder?
You can purchase Clean Lean Protein right here on this website! Just click the link below.
We have sample packs available so you can ‘try before you buy’, which is always a good option as it’s always good to know if you are going to like the product before opening your wallet more. There are 8 different favours to choose from: Smooth Vanilla, Rich Chocolate, Wild Strawberry, Real Coffee, Just Natural, Coffee Coconut MCTs, Vanilla Matcha, and Chai Turmeric Maca.
