NZ Protein Hemp Protein

Description

Hemp protein is not all created equal. This product is made from hemp hearts (not whole hemp seeds) and is a better product than others:

• less heat is applied to it during processing. This helps retain more of the natural fats and keeps the protein from denaturing, giving it a richer creamier mouthfeel compared to hemp seed protein.
• It's smoother and more palatable, with a milder flavour and creamy texture. It is more subtle than the hemp seed protein and doesn’t have the high fibre or “green pallet”.

Nutritional Powerhouse

Hemp protein powder is a plant protein and nutritional powerhouse! It's a rich source of protein, essential omega fatty acids, dietary fibre, minerals, antioxidants and phyto-nutrients that can benefit your health.

It's spray free, vegan, alkaline, and naturally free of gluten, dairy, soy, and other allergens*. It has a pleasant earthy nutty taste, and makes a great smoothie base. It also works well in recipes such as muffins, balls, cookies, bars and desserts, or any other application that boosts protein intake.

Hemp protein is made by milling pressed hemp seeds into a fine powder and is sold with varying protein content depending on the level of milling and extraction.

Hemp seeds are free from THC and legal in New Zealand.

The Best Hemp Protein Powder

The best hemp protein powders balance high levels of protein with the healthy fats and nutrients that hemp is renowned for.

Hemp seeds are typically refined to powder with varying ~50%, ~60%, and ~70% protein content. Our product now has a protein content of ~50%, with higher fibre and nutrients than before.

Hemp with 50% protein contains more fibre, fatty acids, and nutrients than hemp with 60% and especially 70% protein levels. Some of these nutrients are found only in hemp protein, therefore this product is the kind of product that goes well as a smoothie base - more so than a post workout shake (there are plenty of other protein powders for post exercise).

Complete Protein

Hemp has a complete amino acid profile, containing all nine essential amino acids and branched chain amino acids that the body cannot produce and must be supplied from the foods we consume.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and muscle tissue, more commonly referred to as the 'building blocks of life'. Hemp seeds contain all 21 amino acids required to support essential metabolic function, making it a source of protein to assist muscle repair and development. Not every plant protein has a complete amino profile - another reason why we recommend this product.

Note that leucine is at lower levels than other protein powders. Leucine is one of three branched chain amino acids and is primarily involved in muscle protein synthesis for muscle growth and recovery. While we recommend this product for vegans and non-vegans alike (especially for the best daily breakfast smoothie), we do not recommend it as the sole source of protein if your goal is maximum muscle gain. Adding a BCAA supplement could help to overcome this.

Hemp vs Whey vs Pea Protein

Which protein is best - hemp, whey, or pea?

All sources have similar levels of calories and protein, but whey and pea have more concentrated amino acid profiles. Whey has the superior amino acid profile and is the fastest to digest.

Hemp contains many other essential nutrients needed for regular body function such as fatty acids and fibre, which whey and pea lack. Therefore we recommend consuming both - hemp makes the best healthy smoothie base and whey is better suited to consuming around physical exercise when amino acid uptake is more critical. Whey is a milk product so not suitable for vegans - if avoiding animal proteins then pea can be used around physical exercise instead of whey.

Unflavoured

Typical Amino Acid Profile