An insight to Plant Based or Vegan proteins

Vegan or plant based proteins consumption & usage is showing strong growth in the health and wellness industry. Food advocates are actively promoting the consumption of vegan proteins emphasizing its positive footprint in wellness & environmental spheres. The growing popularity of the vegan lifestyle and diet is also driving the growth in consumption of vegan proteins and its usage in manufacturing.

Persons who actively workout and need to refuel quickly can choose from a wide range of plant based protein powders that are available in many forms. They can be plain or flavored and can be mixed with water, non-dairy milk, oatmeal, smoothies or other foods.

Popular plant based or vegan proteins used in Blends:
• Pea Protein
• Hemp Protein
• Pumpkin Seed Protein
• Brown Rice Protein
• Chia Protein
• Soy Protein
• Sunflower Seed Protein
• Sacha Inchi Protein
• Almond Protein

The 9 widely consumed plant based or vegan proteins are:

1. Pea Protein: These are usually processed from yellow split peas which have higher protein content. This particular plant based protein is widely used in products as it is low priced, easy to process. Pea protein is especially rich in the essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine and valine, which help fuel working muscles and stimulate the body to make muscle protein. The other positive features are that it gives a feeling of fullness. It is also beneficial for lowering blood pressure.
2. Hemp Protein: This type of plant based protein is processed from seeds of the cannabis plant. It has only a sight trace of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and does not full under the regulated product category. Help Protein is an excellent source of fiber, iron, zinc, magnesium and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant form of omega-3 fat. However, it is not a complete protein as it is low in the essential amino acid lysine and needs to be supplemented with legumes or grains like Quinoa.
3. Pumpkin Seed Protein: Pumpkin seeds are relatively high in protein and healthy fat. When made into powder, most of the fat is removed, which reduces calories. Pumpkin seed protein is very nutritious, supplying high amounts of magnesium, zinc, iron and other minerals, as well as beneficial plant compounds. It is low in the essential amino acids threonine and lysine. Pumpkin Seed protein may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while reducing bad cholesterol levels.
4. Brown Rice Protein: Brown rice protein powder is easy to manufacture and relatively inexpensive. Brown rice protein powder may be as good as whey protein at supporting muscle growth when consumed after weight training however it is low in the essential amino acid lysine.
5. Chia Protein: Chia seeds come from Salvia hispanica native to South America. They have become a popular dietary addition, for example as part of smoothies, porridges and baked goods, but can also be made into chia protein powder. The powdered form of chia may enhance its digestibility. This means that the body can absorb more of its amino acids. Chia powder also has high amounts of several vitamins and minerals, including biotin and chromium.
6. Soy Protein: Soy protein powder is a complete protein which is uncommon for plant protein. It’s also high in BCAAs to support muscle strength and growth. However, the usage of soy protein has fallen due to NON-GMO requirements by most brands besides being allergenic.
7. Sunflower Seed Protein: Protein isolated from sunflower seeds is a relatively new vegan protein powder option. It is a good source of essential amino acids except that it is low in lysine and needs to be combines with quinoa in protein powder supplements.
8. Sacha Inchi Protein: This protein is processed from sacha inchi seed grown in Peru. It is expensive compared to common proteins as it is not harvested widely. Sacha inchi protein is a good source of essential amino acid Arginine which the human body uses to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide triggers the arteries to expand improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. This vegan protein also contains ALA & omega-3 fat which supports heart health.
9. Almond Protein: This plant protein is extracted from almonds and is growing in usage it is already recognised as a healthy, clean alternative. It is also rich in dietary fibre, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Almond protein typically does not need flavouring or masking like the other variants of plant proteins and has clean taste, smooth texture. These attributes makes it favourable to be added to a variety of applications like ready to drink (RTD) products, protein bars, smoothies, breakfast cereals etc.

Contract manufacturers and nutrition brands usually offer formulations of plant based or vegan proteins that are a blend of different plant proteins that offer balanced and optimal levels of amino acids. Natural flavors and sweeteners are also added to the formulation for masking purposes.

Formulations may also have Non-GMO fillers, guar gum, Acacia Gum or cheaper variants like Maltodextrin. Superfood ingredients, like flax seed, cranberry seeds, probiotics, and digestive enzymes are also sometimes added to Vegan protein powders. Overall, the advantage of supplementing vegan or plant based protein isolates is that the proteins are isolated from grains and seeds removing most of the fat & carbohydrate component thus reducing their intake.

We at A&A Pharmachem offer plant based or vegan proteins in bulk to contract manufacturer and brand owners. Please contact us now for a quote!