Health enthusiasts often prefer plant-based protein powder due to its many health benefits. We’ll compare two leading brands: Vegan Smart Protein Powder and Nuzest Clean Lean Protein, so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
Health enthusiasts are often searching for the best food options for their well-being. Plant-based protein powders provide comparable outcomes in exercise enhancement to their animal-derived counterparts. In addition, they are typically the healthier choice, with higher fiber, vitamin, and mineral contents and lower saturated fat and cholesterol. We’ll evaluate two leading plant-based protein powders: Vegan Smart Protein Powder and Nuzest Clean Lean Protein.
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Vegan Smart Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Protein content
Both supplements have non-GMO proteins incorporating all nine essential amino acids, which are harder to find in plant-based proteins. Each formula contains a substantial amount of protein per serving. Vegan Smart Protein Powder has 20 grams in a 43-gram serving, and Nuzest Clean Lean Protein has 20 grams in a 25-gram serving.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder contains five plant-based proteins, including golden pea protein isolate. Pea protein isolate has a relatively high protein content compared to other plant-based protein sources with similar effects on muscle mass to animal-derived whey protein. Additionally, the formula includes potato protein, a relatively new source of plant-based protein derived from the starch of potatoes that has equivalent protein counts to pea protein, a neutral taste, and versatile application.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder also contains protein derived from chia seeds, quinoa, and chlorella but in much smaller amounts than the pea and potato protein, 7.5 times less on average. The nutrition label does not list the breakdown of this protein blend; therefore, the exact quantity of pea and potato protein included is unknown to the consumer.
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein only uses pea protein isolate. Unlike the ambiguity of sourcing and amounts of protein in Vegan Smart’s product, Nuzest prides itself on sustainable sourcing and strict production standards. Nuzest’s pea protein isolate comes from the finest pea plants in northern France, carefully selected after years of searching. Although Vegan Smart Protein Powder has more protein sources, Nuzest Clean Lean Protein is composed of pure pea protein of the highest quality.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Added ingredients
Plant-based proteins often include unhealthy emulsifiers and fillers to mask commonly associated unpleasant flavors and textures. Digestive enzymes are also typically added to subdue the anti-nutritional lectins usually present that interfere with digestion and may cause bloating and gastrointestinal pain.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder introduces a digestive enzyme blend to help break down food for better absorption of nutrients. The formula has research-backed digestive enzymes like protease coupled with enzymes that do not have enough research behind them to confirm digestive benefits, like bromelain. It also has prebiotics, live microorganisms that stimulate the growth and maintenance of beneficial intestinal flora to improve overall gut health.
Nuzest takes a different approach. Instead of adding enzymes to aid digestion, they have created a pea protein powder that dissolves and absorbs easily. The pea protein processed using water-based isolation without chemicals results in a mild-flavored and fine-textured protein isolate. Furthermore, the absence of emulsifiers enhances the flavor and texture.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder’s list of added ingredients includes organic stevia, natural flavoring, and xanthan gum. Even though they use stevia (a low-calorie, zero-sugar sweetener), their product also contains cane sugar. Xanthan gum is an emulsifier that enhances protein powder texture but can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Nuzest includes only two ingredients besides the pea protein in their vanilla-flavored protein powder: natural vanilla flavoring and thaumatin. Thaumatin is an extract from the West African Katemfe fruit that adds an all-natural sweetness to the protein powder. Although Vegan Smart’s Protein Powder contains digestive enzymes and prebiotics, if you are looking for a simpler product with safe, all-natural ingredients and a protein source that is easy to digest, Nuzest Clean Lean Protein is the better choice.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Price
You can purchase 15 servings of Vegan Smart Protein Powder for $44.89 and 20 servings of Nuzest Clean Lean Protein for $35.96 with subscribe and save. Vegan Smart’s product is more expensive at 25% fewer servings per container, giving Nuzest the advantage for the cost-conscious consumer.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Reviews
Although Vegan Smart Protein Powder only has 5-star ratings on its website, only ten reviews exist. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein has 1,599 reviews, with 88% of those reviews at five stars with zero 1- or 2-star ratings, making it a higher-rated product overall, with many reviews praising its superior quality, pleasant flavor, and digestibility.
Vegan Smart Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Final results
Sometimes even health enthusiasts are fooled by a product that appears to check all the boxes but includes harmful or unhealthy additives in the fine print. A plant-based protein powder should provide the health benefits you seek without additives that counteract these intentions. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein outperforms Vegan Smart Protein Powder as the healthier plant-based protein powder with its high-quality pea protein, lack of harmful additives, and better price point.
For further research:
Columbia: What is a plant-based diet, and is it healthy?
PubMed: Plant Proteins: Assessing Their Nutritional Quality and Effects on Health and Physical Function
VeryWell Health: Digestive Enzymes: Types and Functions
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.
