Hail the power of pea protein

AGT Foods began developing and producing pea protein - introducing it to the South African market as far back as 2013.

‘Pea protein is one of the best plant-based forms of protein that you can eat. It is versatile, functional and 100 per cent natural,’ explains George Tomazos, AGT Foods retail and food ingredients, South Africa.

The company produces pea protein for inclusion in a variety of food, such as cereals, bread, protein powders and bars. It is a GMO and hormone-free alternative to soya in the baking and food manufacturing industries.

‘These ingredients are not derived from any of the eight most common allergenic food used to create protein supplements. These are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish and wheat. Pea protein is a safe option for people with various dietary restrictions,’ Tomazos points out.

‘Pea protein is a complete protein, which means it contains all nine of the essential amino acids - including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that consumers need to effectively build muscle. It also digests slowly. There is evidence that slower-digesting proteins are better for muscle growth over the long term. This is due to how your body’s muscle-building machinery processes amino acids into muscle tissue,’ he adds.

Pea protein can be included in daily diets by mixing it into smoothies, muffins, oatmeal and even pancakes and is gaining popularity with consumers as it is easy on the stomach, unlike many other protein powders. While the traditional market was the nutritional sector for sports, ingredient manufacturers are producing a variety of pea protein products to meet consumer demand for healthier food options.