If you’re an athlete, lifter, or everyday exerciser, you’re likely conscious of your protein intake. Numerous protein supplements are available to help meet your daily goals, with most being animal-based. But what about plant-based options?
Fortunately, plant-based products are becoming increasingly popular, though they vary significantly in quality. Let’s examine one popular plant-based option: Plant-Based Protein powder from Onnit. In this comprehensive Onnit Plant-Based Protein review, we’ll examine this powder’s ingredients, benefits, pricing, and more to determine if this protein supplement truly delivers.
Let’s dive in!
About Onnit Plant-Based Protein
Onnit’s Plant-Based Protein aims to deliver a superior plant-based protein that matches whey protein in effectiveness. It targets vegans, vegetarians, and other plant-based dieters. What sets Onnit Plant-Based Protein apart is its combination of ingredients that provide optimal amounts of all essential amino acids (EAAs)—something typically lacking in most plant-based proteins. It also incorporates ingredients designed for smooth texture and great flavor, including Smooth Protein, goFat, and Luo Han Guo.
Onnit Plant-Based Protein Benefits
With its complete spectrum of EAAs, Onnit Plant-Based Protein aims to deliver the same results as most whey proteins, including:
- Body recomposition
- Assistance in reaching daily protein needs
- Enhanced recovery
- Muscle gain
These benefits stem from the high-quality protein ingredients: pea protein concentrate and a protein blend from Smooth Protein.
Additionally, Onnit Plant-Based Protein promotes the benefits of being animal-friendly, sustainable, and Earth-conscious—appealing to those who prioritize these values.
But how does it truly compare against other top protein supplements? Let’s examine the details.
Onnit Plant-Based Protein Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Onnit Plant-Based Protein include protein sources, healthy fats, and natural flavoring. With 20g of protein, 1g of fat, and 3g of carbs per serving, here’s what’s included:
- Pea Protein Concentrate
- Smooth Protein, which consists of:
- Pumpkin Seed Protein
- Sunflower Seed Protein
- Watermelon Seed Protein
- goFat Avocado
- L-Leucine
- Purified Sea Salt
- Steviol Glycosides
- Luo Han Guo Fruit Extract
Pea Protein Concentrate
The primary protein in Onnit Plant-Based Protein is pea protein concentrate. Pea protein contains higher amino acid content, especially EAAs, compared to other plant protein sources. It’s also rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are crucial for muscle building. However, it remains lower quality than whey in these areas and is particularly low in the EAA methionine.
Nevertheless, its anabolic effects are somewhat comparable to whey protein. Pea protein also promotes satiety and may reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and oxidative stress while regulating glucose and promoting fat metabolism—all beneficial for weight loss.
Smooth Protein
Onnit Plant-Based Protein features a trademarked protein blend called Smooth Protein, combining proteins from pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and watermelon seed. This innovative combination proves quite effective.
Sunflower seed protein delivers substantial amino acids per serving, though it’s low in lysine content. Watermelon seed contains all EAAs in adequate amounts. Pumpkin seed protein isolates offer high amino acid bioavailability.
When combined, you’re more likely to obtain the amino acids needed for optimal muscle building. These proteins are individually rich in amino acids, but they’re even more effective combined (plus pea protein concentrate provides additional support).
Regarding the smooth taste claims, specific research on this aspect is unavailable.
goFat Avocado
Onnit Plant-Based Protein includes goFat Avocado, a trademarked avocado powder on tapioca. This unique ingredient distinguishes Onnit Plant-Based Protein from other popular plant-based options like Vega Protein & Greens or Sprout living Epic Protein. This ingredient provides healthy fats while improving flavor and texture. Additionally, goFat Avocado enhances satiety, though with minimal fat content in this product, the satiety boost may be limited.
L-Leucine
Beyond amino acids from specific proteins, Onnit Plant-Based Protein includes additional l-leucine, a BCAA. Leucine is essential for muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and plays roles in protein and fat metabolism, potentially improving body composition by increasing muscle tissue and decreasing fat tissue. Adding extra leucine appears most effective for enhancing MPS when consuming isolated protein sources rather than whole foods (additional leucine works best with protein supplements versus whole foods).
Flavorings
Finally, let’s briefly examine the flavoring ingredients: purified sea salt, steviol glycosides, and luo han guo fruit extract.
Purified sea salt enhances flavor and is healthier than processed salt.
Both steviol glycosides and Luo Han Guo (monk) fruit extract provide sweetness without added sugar, since their sweet taste is much more concentrated than traditional sugar.
Does Onnit Plant-Based Protein Work?
Overall, Onnit Plant-Based Protein appears to be a highly effective protein supplement that may rival some of the best options available. It features premium plant-based protein ingredients that provide substantial essential amino acids, including the crucial BCAAs.
By combining multiple plant protein sources, Onnit Plant-Based Protein achieves an amino acid profile nearly as comprehensive as whey and other animal proteins. The additional leucine likely enhances this product’s effectiveness.
It may also be smooth to drink and flavorful, though research hasn’t specifically proven this. The logic behind these claims is sound.
Claims vs. Reality
Onnit Plant-Based Protein claims to help reach daily protein requirements, improve body composition, and support workout recovery and muscle gain. Based on this product’s protein content, these outcomes should occur.
With 20 grams of protein, Plant-Based Protein provides substantial protein that can help reach your goals—especially important for plant-based eaters who often struggle to meet protein requirements.
All protein sources in this product have proven amino acid profiles and can positively impact muscle protein synthesis, particularly pea protein and the additional leucine. This should translate to improved workout recovery and increased muscle mass.
Since some ingredients in Onnit Plant-Based Protein benefit cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, satiety, and fat metabolism, you may experience improved body composition through increased muscle and reduced body fat.
Who is Onnit Plant-Based Protein Best For?
Onnit Plant-Based Protein is ideal for vegan, vegetarian, or other plant-based dieters who struggle to consume adequate protein. It’s particularly beneficial for people in these categories who strength train or exercise intensely regularly, as this increases protein requirements. Onnit Plant-Based Protein helps minimize the risk of suboptimal protein and amino acid intake that commonly occurs with plant-based diets.
Is Onnit Plant-Based Protein Safe?
All ingredients in Onnit Plant-Based Protein are quite safe and unlikely to cause problematic side effects. Some mild side effects you might experience relate to digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and upset stomach.
Onnit Plant-Based Protein contains no added sugar and is dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan. It’s also Informed Sport Certified, meaning it undergoes rigorous testing and is verified free from banned substances.
Where to Buy Onnit Plant-Based Protein
You can purchase Onnit Plant-Based Protein from the official Onnit website here.
Each container contains 20 servings and costs $44.95 for a one-time purchase. Alternatively, choose the Subscribe and Save option, which saves 15%, reducing the price to $38.21.
At approximately two dollars per serving, it’s a relatively expensive protein supplement. However, Onnit Plant-Based Protein offers higher quality than most plant-based proteins.
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