The demand for plant-based
sports nutrition is on the rise. In fact,
recent data shows that the global plant-based protein market was valued at $10.3 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach 15.6 billion in 2026. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 7.2 percent.
What does this mean for you? There are more options than ever before to find great plant-based sports nutrition products to fuel your fitness.
There are clear reasons why the plant-based protein trend is catching on: less consumption of animal-sourced foods can result in more alignment of both human and environmental health outcomes, according to the
Advances in Nutrition Journal.
Beyond that, plant-based sports nutrition has also been found to help sustain and even boost athletic performance. Get a better understanding of how plant-based nutrition can support your body and check out some brands that are creating great products.
Health and fitness benefits of plant-based sports nutrition
If you want to reduce (or eliminate) your intake of casein, whey, and other ingredients in animal-sourced protein supplements, there are many alternatives. Plant-based nutrition products are made from a variety of good-for-you ingredients, including:
- Pea protein
- Hemp protein
- Brown rice protein
- Soy protein
- Chia protein
- Spirulina protein
- Chlorella protein
- Quinoa protein
- Pumpkin seed protein
A blend of these protein- and nutrient-dense ingredients delivers powerful health benefits and can elevate your strength, endurance, and overall fitness too. In the form of a powder or shake, plant-based isolates and concentrates contain about 80 percent or more protein by weight, according to the
Nutrients Journal. This means that you can increase daily protein consumption by 10 to 20 grams in just one serving of a plant-based sports nutrition drink.
Thanks to a wide variety of sources, Nutrients Journal also suggests that you’re also able to get more amino acids than you otherwise might from a sole-source animal protein supplement. These amino acids are essential to create lean muscle, regulate hormones, promote immune function, regenerate cells, and help minimize the risk of chronic medical issues such as diabetes, cancer and metabolic syndrome.
Finally, plant-based sports nutrition can lead to a more efficient athletic training and performance regimen. For example, endurance athletes who consume their protein from mostly plant-based sources report increased stamina during physical activities, as well as accelerated muscle recovery afterward, according to the
International Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine.
Even better, the high nutrient density of plant-based proteins means these athletes also tend to experience less inflammation, gastrointestinal distress, and viral or bacterial susceptibility than other athletes, which makes their bodies more resilient to illness.
Choosing plant-based sports nutrition products
The question isn’t whether you should try plant-based sports nutrition options, but which ones should you choose? Check out these eight brands to choose from with trusted, quality ingredients.
Vega is certified for sports nutrition by the National Science Foundation. Just one scoop of Vega plant-based supplement powder contains 20 grams of pea and rice protein, as well as other essential nutrients from alfalfa, broccoli, spinach and kale. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- Gluten-free and vegan
- One gram of natural sugar
- No artificial flavors, colors and preservatives
Sunwarrior offers a complete amino acid profile and superfood ingredients such as pea, goji berries, hemp, and coconut oil. This means their products can sustain energy levels, promote lean muscle, increase endurance and stimulate post-workout recovery. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- USDA-certified organic
- 27 grams of protein
- Six grams of branch chain amino acids
- Gluten-free, vegan and kosher
- No sugar and artificial ingredients
Naturade uses a protein blend of chia, hemp, chlorella, and pea. Their plant-based powder also contains 22 vitamins and minerals, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes for total body wellness. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Whole food complex
- Free of MSG and synthetic sweeteners
- No artificial flavors, colors and preservatives
Aloha plant-based supplements are made with real, natural ingredients such as peas, brown rice, hemp, and pumpkin seeds. Their ingredients are also sourced and manufactured through fair trade, ethical, sustainable practices. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- USDA-certified organic
- 18 grams of protein
- Gluten-free, vegan and kosher
- Free of synthetic sweeteners
- No artificial ingredients, colors and preservatives
Each whole-food, nutrient-packed serving of PlantFusion powder contains 21 grams of protein from artichokes, peas, algae, sprouted quinoa, and amaranth. This powerful combination optimizes your stamina during exercise and builds and repairs lean muscle. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- 4,500 mg of branch chain amino acids
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Free of main allergens
- No artificial flavors, colors and preservatives
Orgain is not exclusively a plant-based company, but they do offer a line of vegan supplement powders with brown rice, pea and chia proteins. With six grams of fiber in each two-scoop serving, their products can boost your fitness and help you promote better digestive health. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- USDA-certified organic
- Gluten-free, vegan and kosher
- 21 grams of protein
- One gram of total sugar
- Five grams of net carbohydrates
Garden of Life uses a protein blend of 14 sprouted grains, seeds, peas and legumes. As a result, their plant-based supplements are full of essential vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes, zero sugar, and entirely raw, clean, non-toxic ingredients. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- USDA-certified organic
- Gluten-free, vegan and kosher
- 22 grams of protein
- Four grams of branch chain amino acids
- No artificial flavors and synthetic sweeteners
Root
2 is Vitacost’s own line of plant-based sports nutrition providing a complete branch chain amino acid profile. Their products also offer energy in the form of pea isolate protein and give a little natural sweetness from stevia extract so you can build muscle mass and boost overall workout performance. Here’s what you need to know:
- Non-GMO verified
- BPA-free manufacturing
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Free of main allergens
- Less than one gram of natural sugar
Plant-based sports nutrition is worth considering
With so many physical and mental benefits of plant-based sports nutrition, it’s hard to ignore this emerging and growing market of options. Use these brands as a starting point for finding the products that make you feel good while making your workouts stronger and more effective.
Orgain
Garden of Life