Welcome the New Kid in Town: Why Plant Protein Is Taking Over the Worl – Bodybuilding.com

Get all of your protein needs with Signature plant-based, nondairy protein powder.

BBCOM Editors
January 10, 2025

Why Do People Take Protein?

Protein supplements can be beneficial for almost everyone. Protein powders are commonly used by athletes, gym goers, or anyone who wants to improve their health and well-being. Taking a protein supplement can help with meeting your daily dietary requirement, as well as help build muscle, lose weight, recover faster—and it's convenient to consume before or after a workout.

Why Choose Plant-Based Protein?

While milk-based protein powders such as whey and casein have dominated the supplement space, more people are starting to eat a more plant-based diet to be healthier, support the environment, and reduce animal suffering.

Why Take Signature Plant Protein?

In scientific studies, animal-based proteins have outperformed plant proteins because animal products naturally have a complete protein as well as its higher leucine content. Plant-based protein powders such as soy or pea were suboptimal supplements because legumes have an incomplete protein profile with only eight of the nine essential amino acids. However, Signature solved this problem by combining peas, rice, and fava bean into a complete protein complex to ensure you get the missing amino acid methionine and higher amounts of leucine for protein synthesis.

A single scoop of Signature Plant Protein has 25 grams of protein, 9.8 grams of essential amino acids (EAA), and 4.7g of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). It also contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT) from coconut oil for quick energy and to promote ketone production. This product is the perfect addition for those with a vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian lifestyle.

Benefits of Plant Protein

Digestive Friendliness

Many people find dairy challenging to digest, leading to bloating, discomfort, and other digestive issues. For those with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivities, a plant-based protein is often easier on the stomach, allowing them to enjoy post-workout recovery without digestive discomfort.

Lower Environmental Impact

Plant-based proteins tend to have a lower environmental footprint compared to animal-based proteins which makes them an appealing option for those looking to support sustainability in their daily choices.

Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly

Following a vegan or vegetarian diet can make it challenging to obtain sufficient protein from whole foods alone. A high-quality plant-based protein powder offers a concentrated protein source that contains all essential amino acids, supporting muscle growth, recovery, and daily protein needs.

Ingredient Breakdown

Pea and Rice Protein

Peas are naturally high in protein and contain large amounts of 8 of the 9 amino acids, except for methionine. Rice is also high in protein and contains 8 out of the 9 amino acids, only lackings lysine. Therefore, when rice is combined with legumes or beans, it becomes a complete protein profile. Supplementation with pea or rice protein by themselves has shown to support muscle growth.[1-2]

Fava Bean Protein

Fave beans are a complete protein used to round out amino acid profile in this blended protein powder. Its smooth texture improves the mouthfeel of the protein powder while providing a valuable source of iron, potassium, and fiber.

MCTs from Coconut Oil

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil add an energizing boost to this plant-based protein powder. Known for their rapid absorption, MCTs provide a quick source of energy without spiking blood sugar levels, making them ideal for pre-or post-workout. MCTs also promote satiety, helping to reduce hunger and support energy levels throughout the day. They are a popular choice among athletes and active individuals due to their potential to improve endurance, focus, and fat metabolism.

Himalayan Pink Salt

The natural minerals and electrolytes in Himalayan pink salt help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance, supporting performance and reducing the risk of cramping during intense workouts.

Why Take Protein After a Workout

Post-workout protein consumption has been extensively shown to increase muscle strength, size, performance while also helping decrease muscle soreness and body fat.[3] The rationale behind its effectiveness is the high amount of leucine, which has specifically shown to greatly impact protein synthesis and muscle growth.[4] One scoop of signature protein has approximately 2 grams of leucine which has shown to trigger an anabolic response. Research has shown pea protein to have similar results on muscle growth as compared to dairy or egg-based proteins.[5]

Takeaway

If you’re looking to support your fitness goals with a clean plant-based protein powder, we’ve developed a carefully crafted blend of pea protein, rice protein, and fava bean protein, to create a top-shelf protein powder. With Signature Plan Protein, you get a high-quality amino acid profile, including essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids crucial for muscle recovery and growth.