Hemp protein powder has recently come upon the health and fitness scene, and has become fairly popular among those looking for an alternative to whey and casein powders.
However, don’t go and pitch your casein or whey powders quite yet — Let’s first take a look at some of the pros and cons of hemp protein versus some of the popular alternatives. Depending on your diet needs, it can be a great way to supplement a protein diet plan.
Hemp’s Benefits
Ok, let’s get this out of the way right up front: Hemp protein will not get you “high”. It’s created from the seeds of the hemp plant, and offers plenty of natural benefits. Specifically, it features a host of amino acids that your body needs for general maintenance and recovery.
Hand-in-hand with it’s natural composition, hemp protein powder typically features no artificial sweeteners or filler agents. While some hemp is available in flavored varieties, it’s this all-natural approach that makes hemp protein so desirable among the vegan and food-allergy crowd.
Speaking of allergies, those who have an allergy to the milk sugar, lactose, can find a great protein source in hemp protein powder. As you may know, casein and whey powders are full of milk byproducts, so they’re usually off the table for those that are lactose intolerant. Plus, hemp-based powders have a nice, high fiber content for regularity and overall health.
What’s Not-So-Great About Hemp Protein?
While fiber is great, it also means that there’s less room in hemp for protein content. Overall, hemp protein is a less “dense” type of protein as compared to whey or even rice protein.
Plus, its all-natural production is a great benefit but also means that hemp protein doesn’t dissolve quite as well as whey and casein powders. Plus, the taste doesn’t benefit from artificial sweeteners usually, so it can be a little less palatable than other powders. This can easily be fixed by using a thicker mix base, such as yogurt, almond milk, or oatmeal to help smooth out the taste and consistency.
But all-in-all, hemp can make an excellent protein source for vegans, folks with food allergies, and those simply looking to live free of artificial chemicals and sweeteners. It’s a great, nutritious supplement with lots of uses.
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