PERFORM PLANT PROTEIN
Perform Plant Protein was our first creation, our first protein powder. It was born from the need of an ultra-pure, effective and delicious plant-based protein where no expense was spared to ensure the superiority of ingredients and rigorousness of testing. Find out more about out testing here.
The product provides a balanced amino acid profile containing all 9 of the Essential Amino Acids (EAAs). These are the amino acids we must obtain from our food, and where appropriate supplements because our bodies cannot create them ourselves. Vivo Life Perform Plant Protein contains 6g of Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) which are part of the Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) group. Together they provide a complete amino profile.
Why pea protein?
Peas are a member of the legume family and historically were first cultivated as a protein rich crop in West Asia and North Africa. Modern practices allow for the peas to be milled to form a protein rich powder. Pea protein is a nutritionally rich plant-based alternative to whey or casein. It provides a well-balanced amino acid profile with particularly high levels of Lysine. Peas are rich in protein, low GI carbohydrates (largely removed when milled into protein powder), dietary fiber, and many micro-nutrients. Pea proteins traditionally are produced by dry or wet milling and typically can provide around 48-90% protein content! Pea protein consists of mostly globulins (storage proteins, >80% total protein) and a small amount of albumins (cytoplasmic proteins).
Our pea protein is produced by wet milling, this is the favorable method for producing a high concentration pea protein isolate (at least 80% protein).
EAA content
Protein breaks down into amino acids, our protein contains a complete amino acid profile that is superior to a typical serving of whey protein. The chart below demonstrates amino acids per serving versus a typical serving of whey protein.
Nutrient content
Peas are a great source of micro-nutrients and typically contain the following (ppm = parts per million).
Calcium | Magnesium | Phosphorus | Iron | Zinc | Copper |
850 ppm | 1450 ppm | 5500 ppm | 60 ppm | 43 ppm | 7 ppm |
In addition, peas are a rich source of folic acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, pyridoxamine and pyridoxal.
Why do we bio-ferment?
Peas are legumes, similar to lentils and chickpeas. It has been known that pea protein can cause digestive bloating for some people. The fermentation process helps to break down the carbohydrate and protein into smaller molecules, as well as limiting phytate content and other potentially problematic anti-nutritional compounds, making them easier to digest and often eradicating the bloating some customers experience with normal pea protein. We have had an abundance of anecdotal feedback from our customers over the years, letting us know that they are able to digest our protein without the problems they had experienced with normal pea protein. Unlike with fermented whole foods, there is no pro-biotic content left in the finished product when fermenting protein powders (unless added in again!).
Sustainability
We source our pea protein from Canada. With the growing rise in global protein consumption, the need for sustainable protein sources is imperative. With animal agriculture and soy heavily impacting the environment, pea protein is a more sustainable choice. Peas require less water and fertilizers than animal or soy products. Peas also have the ability to fix nitrogen so in fact improve the health of the soil.
Hemp Protein
Hemp protein is produced by extracting the oil out of hemp seeds and refining the hulls into a milled powder. Hemp is a miracle plant that has a multitude of uses, is largely sustainable and nutritionally dense.
Hemp is a genus of the Cannabis Sativa species, and a cousin of the Marijuana plant but it is important to distinguish as these are two separate plants. Hemp does NOT have psychotropic effects (it does not get you high). For a hemp plant to be legally grown, it must have less than 0.3% THC (the active component in Marijuana that gets you high) which is an almost indistinguishable amount. The hemp in our products is 100% legal and the only effects are nutritional!
Composition
Hemp is a great source of plant-based protein, providing a healthy serving of EAAs. You can expect a typical 30g serving to provide 12-15g of protein, around a 30- 50% protein to weight ratio. As well as protein content, hemp contains the following nutrients at stated amounts (amounts may vary slightly).
Vitamin E | Thiamin | Riboflavin | Phosphorus | Potassium | Magnesium | Calcium | Iron | Sodium | Manganese & Zinc | Copper |
(90mg/100g) | (0.4mg/100g) | (0.1mg/100g) | (1160mg/100g) | (859mg/100g) | (483mg/100g) | (145mg/100g) | (14mg/100g) | (12mg/100g) | (7mg/100g) | 2mg/100g |
Hemp has a well-balanced macronutrient and omega fatty acid profile, as well as containing some unique bioactive polyphenols beneficial to health. The typical composition for hemp protein is as follows:
· Around 1700kJ (406kcal) per 100g
· 40.7+/-8.8% protein content
· 10.2+/-2.2% fatty acid content
· 6.7+/-1% ash content
· 26.3% non-digestible fibre
Hemp provides a generous amount of Essential Amino Acids (EAAs), typically the values are as follows:
Threonine | Aspartate | Glutamine | Serine | Glycine | Proline | Alanine | Arginine |
2.66+/-0.67% | 1.35+/-0.23% | 1.73+/-0.32% | 6.03+/-1.24% | 1.59+/-0.32% | 1.66+/-0.35% | 1.61+/-0.32% | 94−128 mg/g |
Cysteine | Valine | Methionine | Isoleucine | Leucine | Tyrosine | Phenylalanine | - |
0.70+/-0.15% | 1.91+/-0.30% | 0.88+/-0.25% | 1.45+/-0.23% | 2.35+/-0.45% | 1.15+/-0.28% | 1.62+/-0.30% | - |
Hemp is comparatively high in the EAAs Alanine, Tyrosine and Arginine. Alanine supports healthy metabolism of sugars and supports detox pathways. Tyrosine supports healthy brain function, melanin production and hormonal health. Arginine supports cardiovascular health and immune functioning.
Hemp is not technically considered a “complete protein” as although it contains the full spectrum of EAAs, it is comparatively low in Lysine, Leucine and L-Tryptophan. It is for this reason that we use a blend of bio-fermented pea and hemp protein, as the coupling of the two provides an optimal EAA profile.
Bonus Benefits
Hemp has been explored for a multitude of health benefits due to its unique bioactive compounds. The fatty acid content of hemp is believed to have cardioprotective affects, with dietary inclusion of hemp elevating blood plasma levels of omega 6 and 3 in turn lowering cholesterol and lipoproteins.
The fatty acid content of hemp is also believed to promote skin health! From general skin wellbeing to combatting skin conditions of varying degrees of severity.
Adaptogens and super foods
Perform Plant Protein also contains some celebrated superfoods and adaptogenic ingredients, known for their ability to support recovery from exercise as well as overall wellness and health.
- Turmeric - one of the most potent anti-inflammatory plants in the natural world. Perform Plant Protein contains a strong curcumin extract to help manage recovery from exercise, accompanied with black pepper extract to optimise absorption.
- Reishi medicinal mushroom - a powerful adaptogenic mushroom celebrated for its potent anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial/microbial, and immune supporting bio-active properties. Reishi is in all Perform Plant Protein flavours with the exception of Salted Maca Caramel and Acai and Blueberry (if you have a mushroom intolerance, you can still use these flavours!).
So is Perform for you?
The ingredients in Perform Plant Protein lend themselves well to those who have a very active lifestyle, so if you are always on the move then Perform Plant Protein is the protein powder for you.
How to use Perform
Perform Plant Protein can be used in many ways, for creative recipe inspiration our instagram or the recipe section of our website are a great place to start.
Everyone's individual protein needs will differ according to many biological factors; age, height, weight, biological sex, body composition. Then of course their activity levels and indeed their goals, for instance an individual that wants to maintain their current weight will have different protein requirements to an individual wanting to gain muscle. There are many macro and calorie calculators online, however their margin of error can sometimes be considerable, and they should not be taken as gospel. For an accurate macro nutrient (protein, carbohydrates and fat) assessment for your personal needs a nutritionist or dietician can help, but as a general rule of thumb the following equations can help:
Protein requirements in grams per kg of body weight:
Maintenance/ improve health | Fat loss/ body re-composition | Muscle gain | |
Lightly active (<3 hrs/week) | 1.3 - 2.0 | 1.5-2.2 | 1.8-2.4 |
Moderately active (3-7 hrs/week) | 1.5-2.2 | 1.8-2.4 | 2.0-2.6 |
Very active (>7 hrs/week) | 1.8-2.4 | 2.0-2.6 | 2.2-2.9 |
Your daily protein intake where possible should of course come from whole food sources. Perform Plant Protein can be used to supplement, especially when your daily protein target is higher.
The formula
Let’s take a look at what’s inside. Our formula is protected so we of course cannot disclose exact amounts of all the ingredients. All the “functional ingredients", meaning the ingredients present with a clear purpose of benefitting health (and not just flavour) are there at a functional amount. This means the ingredient is present in an amount that the body can put to good use and benefit from. Click each ingredient in the chart to learn more. Some ingredients are only in certain flavours and amounts may vary slightly flavour dependent.
Ingredient
| Amount if applicable (per serving) | Functional or flavour benefits | Processes/source. |
Bio-fermented Pea protein Cold processed Hemp protein | 25g in total, the blend is largely pea protein blended with the hemp to optimize the EAA balance | Pea and hemp protein are superior plant-based proteins. Easily digested, highly bioavailable. More sustainable choice. Plant proteins abundant in micro-nutrients | Minimal processing drying, grinding of peas – flash sterilization required Hemp is pressed and milled – minimal processing France/Canada |
Plant Based BCAA blend (L-leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine) | 6g in total. L-leucine 2.8g, L-Isoleucine 1.6g, L-Valine 1.7g | BCAAs to support a complete amino profile. | Derived from corn, using a fermentation, crushing and sifting process China |
Turmeric extract (95% curcuminoids) | 200mg. We use a strong extract that packs a powerful punc | Powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. | Water extraction, minimal processing India |
Reishi Mushoom fruiting body extract (30% Polysaccharides) | 500mcg (In all flavours excluding Salted Maca Caramel and Acai Blueberry) | Powerful adaptogenic plant. Helps the body to optimize stress response, anti-inflammatory, immune supporting | Fruiting body is washed, dried, concentrated, sieved China |
Stevia extract (steviol glycocides) | We use a strong extract, so the amount per serving is very small | Stevia is a natural alternative to sweetener or sugar. Derived from the plant species Stevia Rebaudiana | Water extraction and purification China |
Enzyme blend (papain, ginger extract, peppermint leaf, black pepper extract) | Top secret! | A blend of plants/herbal extracts that encourage and support healthy digestion | Papain – ultrafiltration, freeze drying, crush/blend Ginger extract – washes, crushed, extraction and sterilization Peppermint leaf - washes, crushed, extraction and sterilization Black pepper – steam distillation and extraction. China |
Konjac Fibre (glucomannan) | Top secret! | Konjac fiber is natural alternative to emulsifiers, derived from a root vegetable. Its function is to ensure smooth distribution of ingredients within the pouch/scoop | Washing, grinding and vacuum drying China |
Pink Himalayan Salt | A small amount to balance flavour profile | Rich in trace minerals | Washed, sun dried, crushing and sieving Himalayas - Pakistan |
Natural Flavourings | A small amount to balance flavor profile
| Our natural flavourings are of course only derived from plants | "‘natural flavouring substance’ shall mean a flavouring substance obtained by appropriate physical, enzymatic or microbiological processes from material of vegetable, animal or microbiological origin either in the raw state or after processing for human consumption by one or more of the traditional food preparation processes listed in Annex II. Natural flavouring substances correspond to substances that are naturally present and have been identified in nature." UK |
Raw Cacao and Cocoa Powder (Raw Cacao only) | Raw Cacao 1g Cocoa 2.5g | Raw Cacao is chocolate in its purest, natural form. Rich in trace minerals Cocoa is slightly sweeter than the former | Fermentation, cleaning, drying and grinding of cacao beans Ghana |
Madagascan vanilla powder (Madagascan vanilla and strawberry vanilla only) | Madagascan Vanilla 0.04% Strawberry and Vanilla 0.05% | Rich and delicious vanilla flavour | Pods are ground to expose seeds inside Madagascar |
Ecuadorian freeze-dried banana powder (banana cinnamon only) | 2.3% | Sweet and fruity banana flavour | Manual peeling and mashing of fruit, freeze drying, grounding Ecuador |
Ceylon Cinnamon (banana cinnamon only) | 0.8% | Warm and spicy cinnamon notes | Grinding, filtration and extraction from raw material Madagascar/Seychelles |
Freeze-dried blueberries (Acai blueberry only) | 0.5% | Fresh blueberry flavour | Freeze-dried Estonia |
Freeze-dried acai powder (Acai blueberry only) | 0.5% | Fresh acai flavour | Freeze-dried Brazil |
Strawberry juice powder (Strawberry vanilla only) | 0.65% | Fresh strawberry flavour | Spray drying UK |
Beetroot powder (Strawberry vanilla only) |
| Earthy flavour and natural pink colour | Water sterilization, drying, grounding China |
Gelatinized maca powder (Salted maca caramel only) | 5.6% | Powerful adaptogenic plant. Helps optimize stress response. Anti-inflammatory, immune supporting. Rich flavour | Gelatinization is a process that removes the touch starchy molecules, making maca easier to digest. It does not involve gelatin or any animal derivative Peruvian Andes |
Product Calories & Macros
Raw Cacao
Nutritional information | Typical values per 100g | Typical values per serving (38g) |
Energy | 1576kj / 374kcal | 599kj / 142kcal |
Fat | 5.4g | 2.1g |
of which saturates | 1.2g | 0.46g |
Carbohydrate | 9.1g | 3.5g |
of which sugars | 0.6g | 0.23g |
Fibre | 7.2g | 2.7g |
Protein | 67g | 25g |
Salt | 2.5g | 0.95g |
Madagascan Vanilla
Nutritional information | Typical values per 100g | Typical values per serving (36g) |
Energy | 1674kj / 397kcal | 603kj / 143kcal |
Fat | 8.6g | 3.0g |
of which saturates | 1.7g | 0.6g |
Carbohydrate | 6.1g | 2.2g |
of which sugars | 0.7g | 0.3g |
Fibre | 5.0g | 1.8g |
Protein | 70g | 25g |
Salt | 2.8g | 1.0g |
Strawberry & Vanilla
Nutritional information | Typical values per 100g | Typical values per serving (38g) |
Energy | 1631kj / 390kcal | 619kj / 148kcal |
Fat | 7.9g | 3.0g |
of which saturates | 1.64g | 0.62g |
Carbohydrate | 9.9g | 3.7g |
of which sugars | 1.8g | 0.68g |
Fibre | 3.1g | 1.2g |
Protein | 68g | 25g |
Salt | 2.9g | 1.1g |
Salted Maca Caramel
Nutritional information | Typical values per 100g | Typical values per serving (38g) |
Energy | 1566kj / 371kcal | 595kj / 141kcal |
Fat | 5.5g | 2.1g |
of which saturates | 1.1g | 0.43g |
Carbohydrate | 9.1g | 3.5g |
of which sugars | 2.5g | 0.95g |
Fibre | 7.3g | 2.8g |
Protein | 67g | 25g |
Salt | 3.1g | 1.18g |
Acai & Blueberry
Nutritional information | Typical values per 100g | Typical values per serving (38g) |
Energy | 1576kj / 373kcal | 599kj / 142kcal |
Fat | 5.5g | 2.1g |
of which saturates | 1.1g | 0.42g |
Carbohydrate | 7.6g | 2.9g |
of which sugars | 1.3g | 0.49g |
Fibre | 7.3g | 2.8g |
Protein | 67g | 25g |
Salt | 2.49g | 0.95g |
Banana & Cinnamon
Nutritional information | Typical values per 100g | Typical values per serving (38g) |
Energy | 1611kj / 381kcal | 612kj / 145kcal |
Fat | 5.6g | 2.1g |
of which saturates | 1.15g | 0.44g |
Carbohydrate | 11.2g | 4.3g |
of which sugars | 1.7g | 0.65g |
Fibre | 3.8g | 1.4g |
Protein | 67g | 25g |
Salt | 2.58g | 0.98g |
Certificate of Analysis
Here at VIVO we third party test all our products for accuracy and purity. Here are the results for our Perform Plant Protein.
References
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