If you’re an athlete, vegetarian, or just someone who’s trying to fit more protein into your diet, you’ve probably considered using protein powder to supplement your daily intake. The trouble is, there are so many options out there! You’ve got your regular whey protein, then whey isolates, concentrates, egg, casein, soy, rice, pea – it’s confusing to say the least. Another option you may not have heard of is hemp protein. I found it’s one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Let’s explore why. The Body Digests Hemp Easily By contrast, look at whey and soy, which are some of the most widely consumed protein powders today. Lactose-intolerant or lactose-sensitive people should avoid whey entirely, since it is a byproduct of milk, and even if you’re not lactose-intolerant, it’s recommended to limit dairy products. Soy, meanwhile, contains inhibitors that block certain enzymes that the body needs to break down protein, which means that the body isn’t able to use the protein as efficiently, and people often experience gas and bloating. Hemp Powder is More Than Just Protein Yes, protein may be the primary reason you’re interested in powders, but who would say no to a few extra nutritional benefits on the side? Hemp seeds are rich in healthy fatty acids and fibre, both of which make it into the powder when the seeds are ground down. Foods that contain significant amounts of protein, fibre, and healthy fat are rare, but hemp seed is the entire package. This is another thing that sets it apart from the competition, as most other protein powders are stripped down to the protein and whatever sugars or flavourings are added to it. It Benefits the Heart and Skin Hemp seeds contain compounds that can help your heart function properly and manage your blood pressure by helping arteries stay free of the plaque that can restrict blood flow. Also, they are rich in anti-inflammatory gamma-linolenic acid, another perk for cardiac health. As for skin health, this is mostly thanks to the omega fatty acids, which help the skin stay hydrated. Hemp Is Environmentally Friendly Compared to the animal/dairy production involved in whey (which wastes massive amounts of water and has other negative effects), and the high-protein crops like soy, which need to be drenched in pesticides and are grown as monocrops which destroy soil health, hemp stands out as the one protein-powder source whose production can actually benefit the environment. It’s an incredibly strong and sturdy crop that needs no pesticides, and instead of depleting the soil of nutrients, it aerates and revitalises the soil! On top of all that, virtually every part of the hemp plant is usable (with over 50,000 reported uses), so there’s no waste involved with harvesting the seeds. Soy and whey protein powders are so deeply entrenched in the market that hemp protein powder is still considered something of an outlier. But the power to change that lies in your hands! By using hemp protein powder, you’re letting producers know that there’s a demand for it, which will in turn increase the supply. Healthier bodies and a healthier planet…now that’s something we can all get behind. Are you a regular protein powder user? What do you use and what are your thoughts on hemp? For more natural health tips visit our blog at: http://www.alkalife.com.au/blog
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