Hemp Protein vs Whey Protein: The Battle Is On
If you’re looking for easy vegan alternatives to your daily dairy consumption, swapping whey protein for hemp protein is an excellent start.
So it’s time to whey up your options (see what we did there). You’ve come to the right place, as we’ve knuckled down to compare our celebrated hemp protein powder with whey protein powder in a bid to help you ditch the dairy.
As always, we’re hopeful that hemp will win your heart, as hemp products have a tiny ecological footprint when compared to dairy products and they don’t come with any of the animal suffering. All the while they’re full of the nutrients your body needs to stay happy and healthy.
Let’s explore the facts, and may the best protein win!
Environmental Impact
It’s 2021 and we’re more conscious than ever of our impact on the environment, and how it can be reduced. Well, luckily for hemp, there’s a whole host of reasons how and why this superpower plant is saving the world – one scoop of protein at a time.
In fact, we’ve listed a few of the key environmental benefits of hemp protein below for you to ponder over, courtesy of our eco-friendly findings in how hemp is good for the planet:
- Hemp breathes in CO2
- Hemp regenerates the soil
- Hemp supports sustainable farming
- Hemp helps against pesticides
- Hemp prevents soil erosion
- Hemp needs little water
- Hemp has zero waste
- Hemp absorbs toxic metals
- Hemp provides a habitat for wildlife
- Hemp can help in the fight against deforestation
Pretty impressive, huh? As our hemp protein powder is made by grinding hemp seeds into a fine powder, it’s 100% natural and totally cool with the environment. Whey protein, on the other hand, is an animal sourced protein that derives from cow’s milk (it’s actually made using the same process as cheese), meaning it requires animal farming in order to hit the shelves.
Did you know that animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined? At Good Hemp we’re a little biased, since we promote sustainability and the environment and all, but this seems like a super simple swap when it comes down to what you’re whizzing up in your protein-packed morning smoothies. Which, if you’re not already, you should totally be swigging out of these snazzy sustainable bottles and straws! You can thank us later.
Impact on Animal Welfare
Not only does raising animals for food require massive amounts of land, energy, and water, but factory farming is the single biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet. Dairy farming is a process that’s required to create whey protein, but how does this have a negative impact on animal welfare we hear you ask?
*Warning, the following section contains sensitive content*
Well, when given a natural healthy life, cows can live for 20 years or more, but high-yielding dairy cows are typically slaughtered after three or four lactations when their milk production drops, or if they become lame or contract mastitis – both caused by long hours standing on poor quality floors, ineffective foot trimming, poor nutrition, and bacteria spread. Not cool.
Like humans, cows also need to give birth to be able to produce milk. Dairy cows are therefore artificially inseminated and separated from their young as soon as they’re born, because we can’t have their milk go to their babies instead of the humans whom it’s clearly intended for. Obviously.
*Ok, we’re good now*
Since hemp protein is a complete plant-based protein, it requires no additives, chemical processing agents, or unnatural farming practices. In fact, Good Hemp actively supports sustainable farming as the hemp farms we work with rotate crops seasonally to keep soil nutrients up. This crop rotation business is possible thanks to hemp’s short growth cycle of just four months, and the fact it actually cleanses the soil from nasty chemicals, leaving squeaky clean soil.
Cue your funky farmer dance!
Nutritional Value
Both hemp and whey will boost your daily intake of protein, granted, but which source reigns supreme when it falls down to overall nutritional value? Let’s take a look at the facts.
Protein powders can range from 40%-99% protein, with the remaining percentage made up of fats and carbohydrates. Whey protein isolate typically contains 90% protein, but don’t celebrate just yet, since the higher the number, the more likely it is that it will require multiple stages of processing. This usually introduces chemicals such as hexane or different acids into the mix, which can essentially strip away any other nutritional value present.
While whey protein does have its pros – it’s a fast absorbing protein; a natural source of potassium, sodium and calcium; and contains all 20 amino acids – there are greater cons, including a low fibre content, added sugar, not easily digestible, unsustainable, few omega-3 and fatty acids, and some may even contain trace amounts of heavy metals!
Enter Good Hemp. All of our protein products are vegan, gluten-free and contain all 20 amino acids. Unlike whey, hemp protein is totally sustainable, sugar-free, chemical-free, easily digestible, and is a natural source of a whole party of vitamins.
On top of that, our individual hemp protein powders each boast different nutritional benefits – for example, our hemp protein fibre boost is super-high in fibre to help with digestion and is a natural source of iron and magnesium. Our pure 85% hemp protein is super-duper high in protein with all the benefits that come with that. It’s also free from all 14 major allergens including gluten and dairy, so everyone can benefit from it.
As you can see, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re channelling your inner Barry’s Bootcamp instructor or you want to bulk up Arnie-style.
Health Benefits
Both whey and hemp are complete proteins, but as we’re learning throughout this article, their health benefits differ somewhat. We’ve already outlined the nutritional values of these two rivals, but before we announce our winner, let’s take a minute to recap.
Various studies confirm that whey protein helps to increase strength, gain muscle and lose body fat, which is why it’s a popular option among athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts looking for that extra boost of pumping power. There are other beneficial properties to whey too, which include lowering blood pressure, blood sugar, and reducing symptoms of stress or depression – and while these are clear advantages, it’s hard to ignore the chemical additives it uses and its negative impact on animals and the environment.
By choosing Good Hemp protein powder over whey protein powder, you can avoid animal suffering and fight climate change, all before 9am. You’ll benefit from everything that hemp has to offer, including omega 3, Vitamins B and C, iron, magnesium, fibre and all nine essential amino acids. As a complete plant-based protein, Good Hemp helps your body build and regenerate muscle tissue and maintain your energy levels throughout the day, avoiding that inevitable slump you get from consuming animal products.
In our opinion, it’s the leading protein option for your health, and that of animals and the planet. Go try it!
Good Hemp Comes Out on Top!
It’ll come as no surprise that hemp champions once again in the battle of the best protein source, thanks to its natural production process, sustainable properties and a home-run of nutritional health benefits. Better still, no animals are harmed in order to get those all-important gainz!
Oh, and if after all of this you’re still wondering why protein is so important for your body, we’ve got the answer to that too.