1. High quality protein source
Pea protein contains all the essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make and must get from food. However, it contains relatively little methionine. You can compensate for this by combining other methionine-rich foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, beef, pork or brown rice. Pea protein is also a great source of branched-chain amino acids, especially arginine - which promotes healthy blood flow and heart health, and leucine, isoleucine and valine (BCAAs) - which promote muscle growth. Research also shows that pea protein is one of the easiest plant proteins to digest, just behind soy protein and chickpeas.
2. Rich in iron
Pea protein is also rich in iron. Most products contain around 5-7.5 mg of iron per serving, which is about 28-42% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for premenopausal women and 62-94% of the RDA for men and postmenopausal women. However, the iron found in plant foods is less absorbable than that from animal products. But this can be improved by consuming pea protein with vitamin C or vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, which increases iron absorption by up to 67%. If a woman's iron intake is deficient, including pea protein in the diet could be a great way to increase the intake of this nutrient.
3. Works alongside a variety of special diets
Pea protein is naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains none of the top eight food allergens - peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, cow's milk, wheat, and soy. This makes it perfectly compatible with almost any diet. Pea protein also mixes well with water and has a less rough or chalky texture than other plant protein powders, such as hemp. Although pea protein works very well for most people, anyone with an allergy, sensitivity or intolerance to peas should avoid it.
