More and more people are exploring plant-based diets or increasing the ratio of plant-based foods while remaining omnivorous, with a range of motivating factors from environmentalism to animal rights to personal health goals.

In the early days of protein supplements, the options were egg-based and then dairy (whey)-based, and eventually protein powders from soybeans came along. Unfortunately, all three of those protein sources are very common allergens, so in the last few decades, there has been a rise in alternative protein powders derived from plants: pea, brown rice, hemp, pumpkin seeds, and so on.

The main difficulty with vegan protein sources is that many of them are incomplete proteins, meaning that they are low in one or more key amino acids. Rice, for example, is low in the essential amino acid lysine, which is required for collagen synthesis and helps to prevent the replication of herpes simplex viruses. Consciously combining a few plant-based protein sources is vital for ensuring a balanced essential amino acid profile.

Digestibility can also be a challenge with vegan protein powders, as legumes (such as soy and pea) are notoriously difficult to digest and can cause gas, bloating, or “heavy” digestion.

Botanica’s Perfect Protein

With a goal of supporting the planet as well as the people who live on it, Botanica put together their protein powder using only organic, non-GMO ingredients (including organic flavour!), using three sources of whole food protein: quinoa, brown rice, and coconut. The organic flavour includes tapioca, vanilla, cocoa (for the chocolate only!), and monk fruit as a flavour enhancer.

Quinoa is a complete protein; however, the balance of amino acids, particularly the essential amino acids, is improved by blending them with additional sources of protein from brown rice and coconut.

Whole food protein powders offer the body more than just a protein boost. Since they are not heavily extracted protein isolates that deliver only the protein found within the plant, whole food proteins also supply some of the fibre, fat, vitamins, and minerals found in the original plant. In addition to delivering an improved nutritional profile over isolated protein, whole food protein powders also contribute to increased satiety (feeling of fullness) through the fat and fibre, which in turn is helpful for blood sugar balance and weight management.

The brown rice protein used in Botanica’s Perfect Protein is treated with enzymes to digest the abundance of carbohydrates found in rice, leaving behind the protein, fat, fibre, and nutrients. The quinoa and coconut are also minimally processed to ensure that the wisdom of nature is present in the final product, while consciously creating a clean, digestible, plant-based protein powder.

New Improved Formula

An additional challenge with vegan proteins can be the texture. Botanica has recently reformulated their Perfect Protein so that it has a smoother, creamier texture (practice makes things even more perfect, right?)

By tweaking the coconut protein source slightly and adding in a small amount of organic acacia fibre, Botanica’s Perfect Protein blends more easily and has a more pleasing mouthfeel so that it’s even easier to meet your protein needs from organic plants!

Try Botanica’s improved Perfect Protein powders in smoothies or smoothie bowls or check out botanicahealth.com/recipes for inspiration and ideas of how else to work it into your diet. Enjoy!

References:
1. Alekaev NS. Aminokislotnyĭ sostav i biologicheskaia tsennost’ belkov risa [Amino acid composition and biological value of rice proteins]. Vopr Pitan. 1976 Sep-Oct;(5):76-9. Russian. PMID: 982951.
2. Wu M, Cronin K, Crane JS. Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis. [Updated 2020 Sep 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709/
3. Mailoo VJ, Rampes S. Lysine for Herpes Simplex Prophylaxis: A Review of the Evidence. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2017;16(3):42-46.

About the Author: Botanica

Canadian-owned and a proud B-Corp company, Botanica is crafted in collaboration with herbalists, naturopaths, and nutritionists. They produce organic plant-based supplements and natural health products with no fillers or artificial chemicals.