Go Green: Vegan Muscle Building & Healthy Nutrition with Hemp Protein

An international lifestyle that completely renounces animal products and has developed into a diverse and powerful advocacy group. Even in the sports scene, from casual joggers to professional football players, there are more and more friends of veganism. What are the benefits of a vegan diet, and can it actually be healthy in the long term?

Vegan Lifestyle and Its Importance for Athletes

When the Vegan Society was founded in Birmingham, England, in 1944, founder Donald Watson had no idea what kind of movement he had started. Almost 80 years later, veganism is not only experiencing a trendy resurgence but has also become an integral part of daily life in a western part of our society. Supermarket chains, retailers, and even startups are almost working in unison to develop new plant-based alternatives for everything animal-based, thus acting in line with the times and the end consumer. However, there are also voices that clearly criticize vegan diets. Their accusation: vegan products are not only expensive but also harmful to the body. Deficiencies due to the abstinence from proteins, vitamin D, iron, and many other essential nutrients are cited as arguments against the vegan diet.

Healthy Diet with Hemp: Benefits for Body & Environment

Fact is, the development of the meat industry has cast a long shadow since the mid-20th century. The scandals of recent years have finally made many consumers reach their breaking point. Enzymatically pre-digested and pressed meat from the lab, ethically indefensible factory farming that is miles away from animal welfare, long and cruel animal transports across the entire EU, and partially contaminated end products (whether from bacteria, hormones, or antibiotics) are the result of a completely failed ecological industrial development. Due to mismanagement, not only has the perspective on animal products changed significantly in recent years, but there has also been an intensive search for compatible solutions and alternatives. In the meantime, there are over a million vegans in Germany alone, including professional athletes, who are convinced that the renunciation of animal products represents not only health-wise but also morally the right path for the future.

Bioavailability of Plant Proteins

From a biological perspective, it becomes clear that veganism is often not only ecologically sustainable but also brings many nutritional advantages. Numerous studies have proven that vegans are at a lower risk for cancer and diabetes compared to the group that consumes animal products several times a week. Furthermore, plant proteins can be converted into body proteins much more easily, as the proteins of certain plants are generally composed of the eight essential amino acids that human protein also consists of. Consequently, the body can absorb and process these plant proteins particularly well. This is referred to as good bioavailability. High protein amounts are especially necessary during intense physical work or training – particularly in muscle building. However, vegans need to pay attention to certain vitamins and trace elements that are found almost exclusively in relevant amounts in animal nutrition, particularly nutrients like vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and iodine.

Why Hemp Protein is the Key to Muscle Building

Nevertheless, more and more top athletes are turning to this alternative diet and the plant proteins used in it. Proteins are known to be vital building blocks and are a key component of individual success, especially in elite sports. Hemp protein, in particular, is rich in amino acids that are essential for muscle building and muscle repair. The protein derived from hemp seeds not only contains all amino acids, including the essential ones, but also important fibers that contribute to nutrient absorption and healthy nutrition. Hemp protein is rich in the minerals manganese, iron, and magnesium and contains vitamins like B6 and folic acid in significant amounts.

Diverse Applications of Hemp Protein

Hemp protein can not only convince as a classic protein shake but can also be used very diversely in the kitchen. Whether as muesli, hemp protein bars, hemp energy balls, or as a fruity smoothie mix, even in baking, up to one-third of the flour can be replaced with hemp protein or hemp flour. By the way: More delicious and easy-to-make recipes can be found here.

Conclusion: Vegan Diet & Muscle Building – Is It Possible?

With a balanced and controlled plant-based diet, not only can the environment be sustainably protected, but one's own body can also be supplied with enough healthy nutrients. Vegan professional athletes show that the vegan diet is also well-suited for physical peak performance. And hemp is increasingly being used successfully in this context.

Sources:
Koeder C. (2014) Veganism, Beck Series Volume 2885
https://de.statista.com
https://albert-schweitzer-stiftung.de/themen/vegan-gesund
Image source: © 2020 Tabea Walch / HANAFSAN