Pea Protein To Become Ideal Plant-Based Protein Of The Future

Gunjan thakurNovember 28, 2022

Pea protein quickly gained popularity among gym enthusiasts, diet-conscious, and vegan populations. If you have ever thought about shading a few pounds and asked Google about ways to do so, you must have read a few words like dairy-free, gluten-free, or plant-based protein. The manufacturers of plant-based protein have come up with pea protein-based products for those who want to get in shape or follow a vegan diet. 

A typical diet fulfills your protein requirement completely if you follow a nutritious, well-balanced diet. However, preparing a healthy, nutritious meal that is rich in protein and has only a few carbohydrates in it is an overwhelming process, which leads to losing the will to maintain a perfect diet for most people. On the other hand, pea protein offers a simple solution. The manufacturers of protein powders have launched various pea protein-based products as ideal products for maintaining the health of the heart and kidneys and helpful for the waistline. 

So, what is pea protein? 

Protein powders come in various forms, such as soy, whey protein, and brown rice protein powder. The common protein powders contain brown rice proteins or whey owing to their benefits. On the other hand, pea protein powders are manufactured by grinding peas into powder and removing the fiber and starch from them to make them more concentrated. 

Although pea protein powder is still finding its dedicated consumers, it is surely gaining the attention of many over the last couple of years owing to surge in health-conscious consumers and rise in a push toward a plant-based, sustainable diet. Pea protein powder is considered the most hypoallergenic protein powder among all other alternatives due to the absence of dairy, soy, and gluten. In addition, it is easy for the stomach and does not lead to bloating, which is a major concern among protein powder consumers. Pea protein is ideal for baked goods, desserts, and smoothies, as it makes them easy to consume. Given the increased population of lactose-intolerant consumers and gluten-sensitive people, the demand for pea protein has surged. 

The major food companies have heavily invested in pea protein to meet the demand of consumers. For instance, Burcon NutraScience Corporation, a major technology leader in plant-based proteins for foods & beverages recently launched its new protein ingredient, Peazazz pea protein. This ingredient offers a smooth texture without sedimentation at higher protein inclusion levels and is perfect for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. Such product launches by major market players have fueled the market growth. According to Allied Market Research, the global pea protein market is expected to reach $176.03 million by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 23.6% from 2018 to 2025.

Is there any drawback to consuming pea protein?

There are no major drawbacks to pea protein as long as the user properly incorporates it into the diet. More importantly, pea protein products should be used as a supplement instead of a substitute for real foods. However, the only drawback is that it is not as bioavailable as other proteins. As it is a plant-based protein, our bodies cannot readily use it as they do not have essential amino acids. Thus, if you are using pea proteins, you will get a proper intake of proteins but make sure to add amino acids to your diet to absorb the pea protein.

What are the major advantages of consuming pea protein?

• Helps in weight loss: Pea protein can boost energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Reducing the intake of proteins is a common yet wrongful method to lose weight; this can result in low weight loss and stall the overall process. However, an intake of 0.8-1.0g of protein per kg of body weight can help you build muscle and burn excess fat at a faster rate.
• Better for heart health: Pea protein is known for maintaining the health of the heart and is good for the waistline. Studies suggest that pea protein could help reduce high blood pressure. A steady intake of pea protein-based products can help reduce the risks of coronary heart diseases. 
• Good for kidney function: There is no concrete proof but some studies highlight that pea protein can delay kidney damage in those people who suffer from high blood pressure. In addition, pea protein can help patients with kidney-related diseases live longer as it helps in stabilizing blood pressure levels and eliminating toxins and waste.
• Maintaining blood sugar level: Pea protein is ideal for diabetes patients. Diabetes can lead to increased thirst, fatigue, slow wound healing, and unwanted weight loss. However, pea protein can help to keep blood sugar levels in check. However, the integration of pea protein in the diet does not much affect appetite and food intake, the blood sugar levels are observed to be lower in diabetes patients. 
• Helps in muscle gain: It is a common misconception that plant-based protein powders cannot help in muscle gain. Multiple studies state that pea protein can help in increasing muscle thickness and muscle gain. The high quantities of L-arginine in pea protein aid in increasing the thickness of muscles even after resistance training.

Pea protein Vs whey protein

It can be a hassle trying to choose a protein powder among all the varieties and options. Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and no one protein powder is better than another. Each protein powder is ideal for certain consumers. 

Whey protein has a dedicated consumer base as it is the most popular as it is easily absorbed by the body. Moreover, it is more affordable compared to other proteins. It is very similar to pea protein in terms of nutrients, fats, and carbs. 

However, whey protein includes lactose and gluten on the other hand, while pea protein does not. The presence of lactose gives a creamier texture to the whey protein than pea protein. However, whey protein is not ideal for lactose-intolerant people. The only other notable difference is pea protein contains more iron than whey protein but whey protein has more potassium and calcium. 

Is pea protein ideal for sports people?

Being that pea protein is high in amino acid lysine, it can help in the formation of collagen to protect tendons from forces put on them through athletics and stress from exercise. In addition, increased lysine content helps the immune system. Having said that, pea protein consumption does not mean that you do not need to eat its natural form. Pea protein should always be used as a substitute for whole food choices. 

Pea protein as the food of the future

Over the years, the demand for pea protein has skyrocketed. Moreover, the food industry is increasingly hungry for pea protein. It is not a famously essential ingredient in vegan foods and is part of many major fast-food chains. The use of pea protein helps nutritionally and environmentally as fewer resources are required to harvest peas compared to animal-based protein sources. As the world population continues to increase and demand more dairy and meat, it is clear that animal protein alone cannot sustain the world of meat eaters. The plant-based protein should gain traction and access to major technological innovation as the world desperately needs it to balance the demand for protein. As we move ahead into the future of foods, pea protein is an ideal form of plant-based protein. 

The bottom line is that pea protein is a great, healthy choice for animal-based protein and getting supplementary protein. The only thing to remember is that it should be taken with a well-balanced diet and not as a substitute for any meal. 

Source: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/pea-protein-market 

Bio: Swamini Kulkarni holds a bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation and control engineering from Pune University and works as a content writer at Allied Market Research. She is deeply fascinated by the impact of technology on human life and loves to talk about science and mythology. When she is not glued to the computer, she loves to read, travel and daydream about her areas of interest.