Plant-based protein powders are increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts for their capacity to support muscle recovery and growth, energy and endurance, weight loss, and digestive health. We’ll compare two leading brands: Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder and Nuzest Clean Lean Protein, so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
Whether you are a fitness aficionado or a casual gym-goer, an increased protein intake may enhance your fitness routine with the capacity to support lean body mass, muscle growth, and increased strength. For people on plant-based diets, consuming excess protein may sometimes prove difficult, with many of the most protein-packed foods coming from animal sources. Research shows that some plant-based protein sources may have comparable effects on body mass with fewer calories than their animal-derived counterparts, allowing more people to experience protein’s possible effects on their workout. Keep reading for a comparison between two leading plant-based protein powders.
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Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder vs. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder:
Protein amount
Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder is a vegan, gluten-free formula that contains 22 grams of protein in each 28-gram serving size. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder is also a vegan, gluten-free formula containing slightly less protein, at 21 grams in each 25-gram serving size. Both powders provide an adequate amount of protein per serving. Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder appears to have slightly more protein present, yet it takes a larger serving to achieve this amount. Nuzest takes the edge in this aspect for having a more user-friendly serving size.
Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder vs. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder:
Protein quality
Nuzest’s protein is made with golden pea protein isolate. Golden pea protein, derived from yellow split peas, is researched to have comparable outcomes on body mass to the popular animal-derived whey protein. In a 33-gram scoop, pea protein isolate contains around 24 grams of protein.
Garden of Life uses a vast range of protein supplements in their protein powder. Their formula contains golden pea protein and brown rice protein. Brown rice protein has slightly less protein than the same amount of pea protein isolate. The formula contains many other protein-filled whole foods, including pumpkin seeds, buckwheat, and quinoa. The individual amounts of each protein present are not marked on the nutrition facts, making it hard to know how much of the most researched plant-based proteins for fitness, pea and rice protein, are included.
One of the most important things to look for in a plant-based protein supplement is its digestibility. Many plant-based proteins come from legumes, foods that usually contain high amounts of lectin. Lectins are antinutrients that resist being broken down in the gut, possibly creating problems with digestion. Nuzest’s pea protein isolate comes from incredibly high-quality pea plants grown in northern France. They use a water-based protein isolation process that is chemical-free and creates a product with 0% lectin, making it easily digestible.
Because Garden of Life’s product contains many plant-based proteins that may be hard to digest, they add digestive enzymes to their product to help break down the proteins present. The formula contains some research-backed digestive enzymes, like protease. It also contains digestive enzymes like bromelain, which do not have enough research to claim they help digestion.
Garden of Life’s formula may be easily digestible due to some of the digestive enzymes present. However, if you are looking for an effective, simple formula, Nuzest’s product is the way to go. Containing only the highly-researched pea protein isolate in a high-quality form, Nuzest has a slight advantage over Garden of Life’s product, which contains many proteins and enzymes in undetermined amounts.
Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder vs. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder:
Added ingredients
Both formulas add zero sugar or sweeteners to their unflavored protein powders. Garden of Life’s product does contain guar gum, a whole food used as an emulsifier to improve texture and flavor, which may trigger digestive issues. Nuzest’s water-based isolation process creates a product with a mild-flavored and textured protein isolate without the added emulsifiers. This process allows their unflavored protein powder to contain one main ingredient: pea protein isolate. Nuzest contains three simple ingredients: pea protein isolate, natural flavors, and Thaumatin. Pea protein is much more powerful than other plant proteins, so it offers optimal results. The simplicity of this formula promotes digestibility, giving Nuzest the edge over Garden of life.
Both protein powders are great options for health-conscious individuals and consumers with dietary restrictions. If you are looking for a cleaner product with simple ingredients, Nuzest’s protein powder takes advantage.
Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder vs. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder:
Price
You can purchase twenty 28-gram servings (560 grams total) of Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder for $50. You can purchase twenty 25-gram servings (500 grams total) of Nuzest Clean Lean Protein for $44.95. To obtain Garden of Life’s 22g of protein, you must take 28 grams, whereas Nuzest takes only 25 grams to give you 20g of protein. Nuzest’s formula comes out slightly cheaper per gram of protein, making it the better choice for the cost-conscious consumer.
Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder vs. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder:
Results
In a head-to-head comparison, Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder outperforms Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder. Both powders are great options for someone on a plant-based diet looking for a healthy, protein-packed supplement for their fitness goals. Although Garden of Life’s product may appear to have more protein, it takes more of the product to achieve these results. Nuzest has created a lower-costing, cleaner product with three simple ingredients, including protein-packed pea protein isolate in one of its best forms for digestibility and effectiveness, making it the overall better choice.
Further reading for additional reference:
MedicalNewsToday: How much protein do you need to build muscle?
PubMed: Plant Proteins: Assessing Their Nutritional Quality and Effects on Health and Physical Function
Johns Hopkins: 5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
