Plant-Based Protein

At EHPlabs, our team of health professionals have dedicated a huge amount of time and research to formulating the highest possible quality protein powders and supplements.

We are passionate about creating efficacious products to support and assist people at every stage of their health and fitness journey, no matter what their dietary needs. That's why, alongside our whey proteins, we're proud to offer a plant-based protein that's perfect for those on a vegan or plant-based diet. The EHPlabs Blessed Plant Protein is a pure vegan protein powder that's trusted by millions worldwide.

What to look for in vegan protein powder?

When you're choosing the best plant-based protein powder, it's not only the protein content that to be mindful of, it’s also important to opt for a formula that contains all nine essential amino acids. Amino acids are really important for protein synthesis, which is necessary for tissue repair and muscle growth, as well as a range of other biological processes.

There are 20 different amino acids in total, but only nine of them are called essential amino acids as they cannot be made by the body and must be obtained through our diet. These are leucine, methionine, histidine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, threonine, lysine, tryptophan, and valine.

Whey proteins are packed with essential amino acids and particularly high in leucine, perhaps the most important amino acid in the muscle building and muscle recovery process. However, the best plant-based protein shakes on the market also contain all nine essential amino acids. Pea protein in particular, is an excellent source of leucine. Organic protein powders made from peas, hemp, and soy tend to be packed full of amino acids and other healthy nutrients too, making them an excellent substitute for whey.

EHPlabs’ Blessed Plant-Based Protein contains all the essential amino acids and is full of extra healthy minerals and vitamins. In addition to its high nutritional value, it contains just 4g of net carbs for every 23g of protein, which might be a more preferable alternative to whey options for those who are aiming to loose weight. Typically, it also takes the body longer to metabolize plant-based protein powders due to their fiber content, which means plant-based protein could keep you feeling fuller for longer and stop you from reaching for the snack cupboard in between meals.

What is the cleanest vegan protein powder?

Pea protein is a great source of high-quality, organic protein powder which is also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Raw pea protein isolate (such as our Blessed Plant- Based Protein) is made from ground yellow split peas, which have a higher protein content than the more commonly known green pea. Pea protein isolate is one of the most protein-packed plant sources available (1). Rich in iron and is particularly full of three essential amino acids needed for protein production, fat metabolism, blood sugar regulation, and muscle growth (2).

Maximize your physical performance and recovery with a wholesome, natural pea protein that:

- Is completely dairy and lactose-free

- Packs a powerful yet tasty protein punch with a whopping 23g of protein per scoop

- Contains all nine of the essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis (3)

- Contains only the finest 100% sustainable raw ingredients, with no artificial additives, sweeteners, grit, or digestive enzymes

- Has an alkaline pH of 7.8, for improved energy and recovery

- Is low on the glycemic index (GI), so it supports healthy blood sugar levels

- Has only 4g net carbs per scoop

- Is sweetened with only 100% natural stevia and natural flavors

- Is Halal certified

- Has a high satiety index to help you stay full for longer

Do vegans need protein powder?

Getting adequate protein and other essential vitamins and minerals can be a challenge for those who don't eat animal products. An essential part of our diet, protein performs all kinds of important bodily functions. We need it to produce hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and other chemicals, and to keep our immune system strong too. Plus, protein is key to building and repairing all kinds of body tissue, including tissues in glands, the liver, and muscles. And during a strenuous workout, it's protein that pushes on through once your normal energy stores have been exhausted.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.4g per pound of body weight, which can be a difficult target to achieve if you're on a vegan or plant-based diet (4). This is where plant-based protein powders can be extremely useful in helping to support a healthy lifestyle.

Can vegans have protein powder? What is plant based protein?

Dietary intolerances may be an important consideration in your choice of protein supplement. Whey protein is formulated from milk, and so it should be avoided by vegans or those with dairy or lactose intolerances.

There are several different types of plant-based protein powders on the market, with many brands mixing different combinations of each to create a vegan powder that delivers a healthy mix of amino acids and fats. The most common vegan protein powders are:

Pea protein — Made from ground yellow split peas and rich in several essential amino acids.

Soy protein — Another complete protein source that's isolated from soybean and contains all nine essential amino acids.

Hemp protein – This protein comes from the cannabis plant, although it contains only trace amounts of THC. It's rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and all 9 essential amino acids.

Brown rice protein — This protein is made from ground rice grains that have been treated with an enzyme to separate the protein from the starch.

Other, less common sources of plant-based protein include sunflower seed, sacha inchi, pumpkin seed, and chia seed variations.

Does vegan protein powder help you lose weight?

Protein plays an important role when it comes to weight loss. Due to the high thermic effect, a high protein intake boosts metabolism and can make you burn 80-100 more calories per day. Whilst vegan protein powder alone can’t make you lose weight, it’s a great addition to your diet that can boost your overall protein intake for optimal benefits!

Research has shown that protein supplements may also help increase satiety, leading to less snacking and consequently fewer calories consumed overall. Vegan protein powders are beneficial in reducing total cholesterol and blood pressure (5).

Does vegan protein powder build muscle?

Taking vegan protein powder after a strength and resistance workout can help speed up recovery and repair by assisting with muscle protein synthesis (6). However, it’s also important to obtain an adequate amount of protein in your diet in order to build muscle in conjunction with regular strength training.

HOW TO: INCORPORATE VEGAN PROTEIN POWDER INTO YOUR ROUTINE

First, we recommend filling your diet with a range of protein-rich, plant foods such as chia seeds, lentils, quinoa, chickpeas, beans, spelt, hempseed, nut butter, tempeh, seitan, tofu, peas, and oats.

Then, train smart. That means sticking to a consistent training regime, focusing on the larger muscle groups first if you're a beginner and implementing progressive overload every 4-6 weeks.

Then, support your recovery with a high-quality vegan protein powder that contains all the essential amino acids that your body needs for muscle building and repair. For best results, drink your plant-based protein shake within one hour of finishing your workout. This will allow you to obtain the full nutritional benefits of the supplement and will give your body the best chance to strengthen muscle tissue and repair any damage.

The EHPlabs Blessed Plant-Based Protein contains all 9 essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis, as well as 23g of high-quality protein per scoop and has a pH of 7.8 to assist with recovery, so it's a great option to drink post-workout. It's also naturally sweetened with stevia and natural flavor technology, so you can enjoy it even with just chilled water. Alternatively, mix a scoop of this best tasting vegan protein powder with your favorite almond milk, smoothie, yogurt, coffee, or juice.

Does vegan protein powder cause constipation?

Plant-based proteins are typically kinder to the digestive tract and are high in natural fiber, which helps keep the digestive system moving and your bowel movements regular. Blessed Plant-Based Protein, for example, contains 2g of dietary fiber per serving and has been specially formulated for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.

Pea protein in particular is thought to be more easily digested than other plant-based protein alternatives (7). In fact, the shell of the pea has been deliberately removed from this sprouted pea protein isolate to minimize the risk of digestive discomfort and bloating.

Is whey protein vegan?

No. Whey protein is a by-product of the cheesemaking process and as such, it is not vegan. It comes from animal milk (typically cow's milk) that has been heated and processed with enzymes and other catalysts to make it curdle. The solids that separate during this process are then skimmed off the top, the high-protein liquid that remains underneath is further processed and turned into either whey protein concentrate, whey isolate, or whey hydrolysate.

Pea protein is a great vegan alternative to whey protein as it contains all nine essential amino acids needed to build blocks of protein. Compared with other plant-based protein products that have been isolated from rice or hemp, pea protein contains a better balance of these essential amino acids. In fact, research suggests that supplementing with pea protein can result in similar muscle gains as supplementing with whey protein (8).

In particular, pea protein powder is rich in three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which can help boost muscle growth and performance: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These amino acids:

- Support the recovery of muscle tissue after exercise (9).

- Improve endurance during workouts and reduce exercise fatigue (10).

- Help reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass (11).

- Support the recovery of exercise-induced tissue damage that can occur during high-intensity workouts (12).

Is vegan plant-based protein powder good for you?

If you're still wondering whether your active lifestyle can allow you to go green, then here are just a few of the benefits of vegan protein powder to consider:

- Vegan protein powder can help give your body the essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis — supporting muscle growth and repair. Pea protein is particularly high in the amino acid arginine (or L-arginine), which helps metabolize fat and can also be converted into sugar glucose and used as an energy source (13).

- Pea and other plant-based proteins are loaded with healthy fiber, which can help improve digestion and absorption.

- Plant-based proteins tend to be lower in cholesterol than whey and other animal-based proteins and high in plant sterols, which can support heart health by limiting the amount of cholesterol that can enter the body.

- Pea protein in particular is naturally high in iron, which is required for energy metabolism, hormone production, and the transport of oxygen.

Are vegan plant-based protein powders safe?

Plant-based protein powders from trusted brands are completely safe. However, if you are taking any medications or have specific dietary restrictions, always consult with a healthcare professional before supplementing with any products, including protein power.

Does vegan protein powder make you gain weight?

No. Vegan protein powder alone does not make you gain weight, only eating in an overall calorie surplus does.

How long does vegan protein powder last?

Vegan proteins generally have a shelf life of two years. Our Blessed Plant-Based Protein is available to purchase in 15 or 30 servings per tub, so it can last anywhere from two weeks to one month.

Want to find out more?

If you want to learn more about plant-based protein powders and vegan supplements from EHPlabs, check out this YouTube video of FAQs with the face of Blessed, Katya Elise Henry.