Author: Bethany @lilsipper
Peas, the seed of the pod fruit Pisum sativum, are in the legume family and one of the few non-bean legumes. Green peas, as they’re called when ripe, usually are sold and prepared as a fresh or frozen vegetable. Dried peas are used similarly to lentils and commonly called “split peas” which can either be green or yellow. Nuzest harvests their golden peas from Europe, where less pesticides are sprayed and the soil is richer and cleaner, resulting in the most easily digested, purest pea protein when compared to other yellow pea protein sources.
Peas have many benefits, but below are the top 6 unknown pea protein benefits.
1. Essential Amino Acids
Pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot create and must get from food (source). It’s also a great source of branched-chain amino acids including arginine, leucine, isoleucine and valine — which can promote healthy blood flow, heart health, and muscle health.
2. High in Iron
Pea protein contain between 5 and 7.5 mg of iron per serving — about 28–42% of the reference daily intake (RDI) for premenopausal women and 62–94% of the RDI for men and postmenopausal women – ideally, great for women (but of course great for men too!)
3. Supports Muscle Mass Building
Several studies have shown pea protein powder can support build muscle when paired with resistance training. In a particular one 12-week study, weight-lifting men who consumed 50 grams of pea protein per day gained the same amount of muscle versus those taking whey protein.
4. Support Heart Health
As previously mentioned above, pea proteins essential amino acids can contribute to heart health. The result in a 3-week study on humans found that 3 grams of pea protein hydrolysate per day lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number of a reading) by 6 points!
5. Promote Healthy Kidney Function
If you have kidney issues or want to prevent them, according to research conducted by the University of Manitoba, pea protein could support kidney health and the onset of kidney damage in those with high blood pressure. Pea protein may also help those with kidney disease live longer by stabilizing blood pressure levels and can increase urine function to help the body rid itself of toxins (source).
It was also discovered in the study noted above that yellow peas alone do not provide these same benefits. Instead, it’s ONLY when the protein in peas is extracted and activated with special enzymes that these pea proteins become particularly beneficial for kidney health! CRAZY COOL!
6. High in leucine and great for bone health
Leucine is one of the nine essential amino acids pea protein provides (source) and essential for building connective tissue like skin, cartilage, and bones. Leucine does also help absorb calcium, which is a must for strong bones especially in women who may be at risk for bone loss.
Below are two flavors of the protein powder I personally created in collaboration with Nuzest USA to aid with gut health, without any fillers, sugar alcohols, flavorings, and includes L-glutamine and a specific probiotic known to help combat yeast overgrowth! And of course, is pea based, sourced from Europe to achieve the highest quality pea protein.
