Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein Review – Pros & Cons

Plant-based diets are definitely gaining in popularity today. And as a result, there are also now many plant-based proteins on the market designed to support vegans and other plant-based individuals who like to live an active lifestyle. 

However, in order for a plant-based protein to be effective, it needs to have a specific combination of high-quality ingredients in order to match the amino acid content and overall quality of its whey and animal-based counterparts. Thus, it’s important to do the research to know exactly what you’re getting before you buy. That’s where we come in to help!

We’re going to take a closer look at one specific plant-based option called Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein. Does this protein powder include the right ingredients and dosages? What benefits can it offer? Is it worth the cost? In this Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein review, we’ll answer all of those questions and more so you can find out if you should add this supplement to your routine.

Let’s get started!

About Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein

Performance Inspired (PI) Nutrition is a supplement company founded by Mark Wahlberg and Tom Dowd, with the goal of creating all-natural products that suit a variety of needs. They’ve since produced a variety of products including many protein options, such as whey protein, diet and energy protein, protein water, and more.

With their Plan-Based Protein, PI Nutrition aimed to create the premier supplement for active, vegetarian individuals. Not only does it include 20g of plant protein per serving, but it also has probiotics, digestive enzymes, and fiber, so you can optimize digestion and absorption. Not to mention tart cherry for an additional recovery boost. 

All in all, Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is supposed to be THE protein supplement for plant-based dieters. 

Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein Benefits

When consumed regularly, Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is advertised to:

• Boost exercise recovery
• Assist in increasing muscle mass and strength
• Aid in weight management
• Make it easier to reach protein needs

Boost Exercise Recovery

With plant-based protein and tart cherry, Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is advertised to support exercise recovery so you can come back fresher, quicker. 

Strength and Muscle

Like most protein supplements, Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is designed to help users put on muscle and gain strength when combined with resistance training. 

Weight Management

The fiber and protein included in Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein may also support weight management by increasing feelings of fullness and optimizing digestion. 

Meet Protein Requirements

Finally, Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is designed to help active individuals meet their protein needs by providing a convenient shake form with 20g per scoop. 

But is Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein truly a high-quality plant-based protein? Let’s check it out!

Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein Ingredients

The main protein formula in Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein consists of pea protein and brown rice protein. 

Also included in the Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein formula is:

• Tart Cherry Powder (200mg)
• Lactospore Bacillus Coagulans 6 billion cfu/g (175mg)
• Bromelain/Protease (100mg)
• Papain (50mg)
• Amylase (50mg)
• Cellulase (50mg)

Other ingredients include:

• Inulin
• Oat Bran
• Kale Powder, Spinach Powder, Broccoli Powder
• Alfalfa Protein Powder

Pea Protein

The primary protein source in Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is pea protein, which is good since this protein has a lot of solid evidence behind it. Pea protein is one of the richest sources of essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) among all plant-based proteins, and it is also one of the most digestible and bioavailable. The only main concern is its low methionine content. 

But pea protein has been shown to aid muscle strength and recovery, similar to that of whey protein options, like The Protein Works Whey Protein 80. And it also has benefits for promoting satiety, regulating blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol, and promoting healthier blood pressure. 

Brown Rice Protein

Also included is brown rice protein, which is pretty rich in essential amino acids and BCAAs too, but not as great as whey protein or other animal sources. But it is pretty high in methionine, which helps to balance out pea protein’s lack of methionine. 

Overall, brown rice protein pairs well with pea protein. 

Tart Cherry Powder

Up next is tart cherry powder, which typically comes from Montmorency tart cherries. Tart cherries are very rich in numerous phytochemicals, such as phenolics and flavonoids. And they offer a number of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which helps to combat the oxidative stress from exercise. 

The evidence is there that tart cherry reduces blood markers of inflammation and oxidative stress and can decrease pain and accelerate muscular and strength recovery after exercise. 

LactoSpore

LactoSpore is a registered trademarked form of Bacillus coagulans, which is a type of probiotic. It is found naturally in the digestive tract and helps with digestion, nutrient assimilation, and even plays roles in metabolism, immune health, and brain health. Thus, supplementing with probiotics increases the number of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract, leading to these benefits. 

And research has shown that LactoSpore is able to properly colonize in human intestines and promote digestive health, and may even aid weight loss and metabolic profiles alongside a calorie-restricted diet. 

Digestive Enzymes

There are also a number of digestive enzymes in Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein, including bromelain, protease, papain, amylase, and cellulase. 

Bromelain, protease, and papain all help to digest protein, which is particularly helpful for this supplement since active people take in more protein than average individuals. 

Amylase helps to digest carbohydrates, and cellulase helps to digest cellulose from plant foods, so one can also see the relevance of these enzymes in this product too. 

Basically, these digestive enzymes help you get more out of the ingredients by increasing their digestion, assimilation, and bioavailability. And who wouldn’t want that?

Other Ingredients

Finally, we’ll briefly look at some of the other ingredients, including inulin, oat bran, and various vegetable powders. 

Inulin and oat bran provide a nice source of fiber, which benefits overall gut health, increases satiety, and has many other health benefits. 

Then, there are also powders from broccoli, spinach, kale, and alfalfa, which may provide further health benefits due to the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals they contain, although it’s unclear how much of each ingredient is in here. 

Does Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein Work?

Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein definitely appears to be a high-quality protein supplement, and it even goes beyond a pure protein supplement with its additional ingredients. 

With 20 grams per serving of high-quality plant protein, it should help support recovery and gains in strength and muscle. 

Plus, the inclusion of tart cherry should support recovery too. 

PI Nutrition went above and beyond by also including fiber, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, all of which should promote better digestion and absorption, while also promoting overall health and wellness. Yet, the total number of probiotics is low, and the doses for the digestive enzymes should be in active units, so we know how much we’re actually getting.

As a whole, it’s clear that Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is not just a plant-based protein supplement, but really an overall health and wellness supplement for any active individual. 

Claims vs. Reality

However, even though this product could assist in recovery and in gaining muscle and strength, don’t expect it to magically do all of these things. You still have to train hard and consistently, and keep in mind that 20g may not be enough for everyone, so you might have to take 1.5 to 2 scoops to meet your protein requirements. 

Also, there is some evidence that LactoSpore, digestive enzymes, and fiber can help with weight management, especially when combined with a diet with sufficient protein, but don’t expect any significant weight loss. But you may lose a few extra pounds when you pair this with a calorie-restricted diet and exercise program. 

Who is Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein Best For?

Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is a great protein choice for any vegetarian, vegan, or other plant-based individuals engaged in an active lifestyle.

It can be used after workouts or simply in between meals for an additional protein boost. You could also combine it with other ingredients too, such as fruit and healthy fats, for a complete meal. 

Is Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein Safe?

There really shouldn’t be many side effects at all, but some possible ones include:

• Upset stomach, bloating, nausea, constipation, and other digestive symptoms
• Allergic reactions (rare)

Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is gluten-free, lactose-free, and soy-free. Plus, it doesn’t contain any sugar alcohols and is free from any artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors. 

Lastly, it is free from any banned ingredients and is manufactured in a cGMP-certified facility. 

Where to Buy Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein

You can buy Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein on the official PI Nutrition at this link.

There are roughly 18 servings per container of Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein. One container normally costs $39.99 but, right now, Performance Inspired Plant-Based Protein is currently on sale for $34.99. You can choose from either Vanilla Bean or Chocolate Delight. 

At $1.94 per serving, this is a somewhat expensive plant-based protein, but still nothing outlandish, particularly considering the ingredient quality. And plant-based proteins are still typically more expensive than whey and other forms since they’re relatively newer and generally more expensive to produce.