Yes! Let me tell you why and dispel any concerns…
Organic plant-based protein powders are a simple and healthy way of helping us to reach our daily protein intake, particularly if you are vegan or are trying to cut back on your meat and dairy intake. We need protein for our bodily and cellular functions but our bodies do not make protein and we do not have reserves of protein, so we must consume protein daily. Like many, I am dairy-free and I have found plant-based protein powder a convenient and nutritious way of keeping my energy levels stable and avoiding sudden hunger.
It’s nutritious leading to health benefits.
Many plant-based protein products contain a wide range of nutrients, for example, pea protein products are a source of calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc (1). Also, research has found that replacing animal proteins with plant protein sources increased fibre intake and improved the quality of dietary fat (2). As plant-based diets are nutritious, they reduce reduce the risk of developing numerous chronic diseases over the lifespan (3). Specifically, including more plant sources of protein compared to animal-based protein reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (4).
Vegan protein powder benefits your muscles, improves your workouts and aids recovery.
After exercise, our bodies need protein to recover and repair, we are fixing muscle tears and rebuilding muscles to be stronger. Plant-based proteins, such as pea and brown rice, both of which are included in our Hero Nutrition Perform + Recover formula, have been found to be as effective as whey protein when it comes to body composition and exercise performance (5, 6, 7).
Easily digested and absorbed.
Sometimes plant-based protein powders can come under fire for not being as easily digested and absorbed as animal-based proteins. Pea protein has a similar digestibility to milk, although whey protein has higher digestibility. However, when plant proteins are consumed in appropriate combinations, then they could be complementary. Also, enzymes, such a papain, which is included in our Hero Nutrition Perform + Recover formula, can aid digestion and absorption by breaking down proteins (8).
What about heavy metals?
There is some confusion as to whether or not trace amounts of heavy metals in plant-based protein powders are a big deal or not, so let me clear that up for you. Heavy metals are found naturally in the Earth’s crust, so there’s trace amounts in most soil. Therefore, we all consume some level of heavy metals as they are in just about everything. A small amount isn’t likely to cause health problems, but repeated exposure to high doses could be problematic. Compared to a typical diet or the recommended upper limit, the amount of heavy metals in protein powder is fairly insignificant (9). At Hero Nutrition, we ensure our formula is organic because research has found that conventionally grown crops contain higher levels of heavy metals than organically grown crops. Chlorella, which is included in our formula, has been found to remove heavy metals and other harmful compounds from our bodies (10). Finally, using trusted suppliers producing the highest quality ingredients, and third-party testing, we can assure our customers that our formula is honest, clean and nutritious.
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157521005329
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/4/943/htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6316289/
- https://academic.oup.com/advances/article/6/6/712/4555152
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25628520/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6358922/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3698202/
- https://www.academia.edu/8832171/PAPAIN_A_PLANT_ENZYME_OF_BIOLOGICAL_IMPORTANCE_A_REVIEW?from=cover_page
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750020303632
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551956/
