Pea Protein

Uses

Pea protein is extracted from green and yellow peas (Pisum sativum, best known as split peas) and is used in some protein supplements and protein-enriched foods. Vegetarians and vegans may prefer supplements with pea protein to supplements with protein derived from dairy (such as casein and whey proteins), eggs, or meat. Pea protein is lactose-free and is safe for people with allergies or sensitivities to dairy and eggs. Peas are in the legume family, and people with allergies to other legumes like peanuts and soybeans should be cautious when introducing pea protein into their diet because of the possibility of a pea allergy.¹Peas are an important protein source for people in parts of Asia; however, like all legumes, peas are low in the essential amino acid, methionine.²^{, 3} Rice, another staple of Asian diets, is high in methionine, and rice protein is sometimes added to pea protein supplements to complete the amino acid profile.⁴^{, 5}

What Are Star Ratings?

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

3 Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

2 Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

1 Star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Why
1 Star Athletic Performance Refer to label instructions	Pea protein may help build muscle and help athletes recover after exercise. Pea protein is a good source of branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), which are needed for muscle building and repair. Researchers have found that the amino acids in hydrolyzed protein supplements are highly available for muscle repair after muscle fiber damaging exercise and other causes of muscle injury. Some, but not all, studies show that protein supplements may help athletes by reducing soreness and speeding recovery after exercise, and increasing muscle mass gains. Whether pea protein has advantages over other protein supplements for athletes has not yet been determined.
1 Star Cardiovascular Disease Refer to label instructions	Pea protein might help prevent cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A pea protein supplement lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels more than casein protein in rats. Whether pea protein has the same effect in humans is not yet known.
1 Star Hypertension 20 to 30 grams of hydrolyzed pea protein up to three times per day	Pea protein may help reduce blood pressure. Pea protein is high in arginine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation of blood vessel walls. In addition, there is evidence that peptides produced during hydrolysis or digestion of pea protein could have blood pressure-lowering effects. Taking a combination protein isolate supplement made from pea, soy, egg, and milk, at a dose of 20 grams three times per day for four weeks, was found to lower high blood pressure more than the placebo in a controlled trial that enrolled 99 participants with high blood pressure. In a small, three-week, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (in which subjects participate in both the treatment and placebo phases, in random order) with seven hypertensive participants, hydrolyzed pea protein reduced systolic blood pressure by 6 mmHg.
1 Star Obesity 15 grams per day	Pea protein, like other proteins, may support weight loss by curbing appetite and improving metabolic health. Researchers have found plant-based protein supplements can help reduce appetite and improve blood glucose control, support cardiovascular health, and may help promote weight loss while preserving muscle mass. Protein supplementation has been shown to increase fullness and reduce appetite, and pea protein appears to preform equally to whey and milk protein in this regard in studies in healthy adults. Compared to whey protein and milk protein, 15 grams of pea protein daily was found to be better at inducing satiety (a sense of fullness) in overweight people.

How It Works

How to Use It

The ideal intake of pea protein has not been determined, but a typical serving of pea protein powder is 30 grams and provides about 25 grams of protein.

Where to Find It

Cooked split peas contain about 8% protein, or 7 to 8 grams per ½ cup. Pea protein extracts are used in some protein powders, meal replacement powders, and high-protein bars. As with other protein supplements, there are three types of pea protein extracts: concentrates (about 60-70% protein), isolates (about 70-95% protein), and hydrolysates (about 90-95% protein).

Possible Deficiencies

While protein deficiency is a problem in many parts of the world, it is uncommon in the developed world, since protein-rich foods like meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and legumes are generally abundantly available. There is no such thing as pea protein deficiency.

Interactions

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

Pea protein extracts have varying amounts of phytic acid, a plant chemical found especially in legumes that interferes with the absorption of minerals including iron. One study found that babies given a pea-based formula absorbed iron better when the formula was fortified with vitamin C.⁶Processing techniques like dialysis, ultrafiltration, hydrolysis, and enzymatic treatment can reduce the amount of phytic acid remaining in protein extracts from legumes.⁷^{, 8}^{, 9}

Interactions with Medicines

As of the last update, we found no reported interactions between this supplement and medicines. It is possible that unknown interactions exist. If you take medication, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

People with peanut, soybean, or other legume allergies should be careful when adding pea protein to the diet. Even though peas are not a major cause of allergies, pea allergies are more common in people who have other legume allergies.¹⁰

Carbohydrate molecules called oligosaccharides may be present in varying amounts in pea protein extracts. These molecules can cause intestinal discomfort and gas in some people. A processing technique called ultrafiltration reduces the amount of oligosaccharides remaining in pea protein and reduces this side effect.¹¹

References

1. Bernhisel-Bradbent J, Taylor S, Sampson H. Cross-allergenicity in the legume botanical family in children with food hypersensitivity. II. Laboratory correlates. J Allergy Clin Immunol1989;84:701-9.

2. Hasan M, Mannan A, Alam R, et al. A Computational analysis on Lectin and Histone H1 protein of different pulse species as well as comparative study with rice for balanced diet. Bioinformation 2012;8:196-200. doi: 10.6026/97320630008196. Epub 2012 Feb 28.

3. Tomoskozi S, Lasztity R, Haraszi R, et al. Isolation and study of the functional properties of pea proteins. Nahrung 2001;45, 399–401.

4. Murata K, Nishikaze M, Tanaka M. Nutritional quality of rice protein compared with whole egg protein. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1977;23:125-31.

5. Hasan M, Mannan A, Alam R, et al. A Computational analysis on Lectin and Histone H1 protein of different pulse species as well as comparative study with rice for balanced diet. Bioinformation 2012;8:196-200. doi: 10.6026/97320630008196. Epub 2012 Feb 28.

6. Davidsson L, Dimitriou T, Walczyk T, Hurrell R. Iron absorption from experimental infant formulas based on pea (Pisum sativum)-protein isolate: the effect of phytic acid and ascorbic acid. Br J Nutr2001;85(1):59-63.

7. Zhang M, Huang G, Jiang J. Iron binding capacity of dephytinised soy protein isolate hydrolysate as influenced by the degree of hydrolysis and enzyme type. J Food Sci Technol2014;51:994-9. doi: 10.1007/s13197-011-0586-7. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

8. Perez-Llamas F, Larque E, Marin J, Zamora S. In vitro availability of minerals in infant foods with different protein source. Nutr Hosp 2001;16:157-61. [in Spanish]

9. Skorepova J, Moresoli C. Carbohydrate and mineral removal during the production of low-phytate soy protein isolate by combined electroacidification and high shear tangential flow ultrafiltration.J Agric Food Chem 2007;55:5645-52. Epub 2007 Jun 14.

10. Ibanez M, Martinez M, Sanchez J, Fernandez-Caldas E. Legme cross-reactivity. Allergol Immunopathol 2003;31:151-61. [in Spanish]

11. Fredrikson M, Biot P, Alminger M, et al. Production process for high-quality pea-protein isolate with low content of oligosaccharides and phytate. J Agric Food Chem 2001;49:1208-12.

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Last Review: 06-05-2015

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.

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Pea Protein

Uses

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions: