By Courtenay Turner
The majority of us now know that healthy fats are essential for plump and glowing skin. We add avocado to our smoothies, munch on chia seeds and drizzle extra virgin olive oil on our salads. And while healthy fats contain a multitude of beauty-boosting benefits, there’s another macronutrient that’s equally as important when it comes to the health of your hair, skin and nails: protein.
Protein for healthy hair
You’ve likely seen keratin hair treatments advertised at your local hair salon. But did you know that you can also nourish your hair from the inside, out by eating foods rich in protein? Protein supplies the body with the amino acids it requires to make keratin – one of the structural proteins in our skin, hair and nails. To boost your body’s natural keratin production, you need to consume an adequate amount of protein, as well as specific vitamins and minerals that support this process. These include foods rich in biotin (nuts, beans, cauliflower and mushrooms), vitamin A (pumpkin, sweet potatoes, raw carrots) as well as sulfurous foods (meat, eggs, kale, Brussels sprouts). The Beauty Chef’s protein powder, BODY Inner Beauty Powder, is an all-encompassing wellness powder that supports healthy hair growth thanks to its unique plant-based protein blend that’s both easy to digest and absorb.
Protein for glowing skin
Given that protein is one of the building blocks of skin tissue, it’s no surprise that an adequate intake of this macronutrient is essential for plump, healthy skin. Protein also contains two amino acids, namely L-lysine and L-proline, that support the body’s production of collagen.
Choosing which source of protein is best for you (and your skin!) really depends on your preferences, taste, ethics and allergies and/or intolerances. It’s also important to note that not all sources of protein are created equal. Animal sources of protein like chicken, beef, fish, eggs and dairy are often called “complete proteins”, because they contain all the essential amino acids. Plant proteins, on the other hand, are considered “incomplete proteins” because they do not contain a complete amino acid profile. Vegans and vegetarians need not worry though – strategically combining different sources of plant protein can help to ensure that your body still gets the beauty-boosting nutrients it needs.
The Beauty Chef’s protein powder contains both pea and brown rice protein to form a complete amino acid profile. BODY is perfect for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores and, when incorporated into your morning routine, can make for a nourishing and satisfying breakfast. BODY Inner Beauty Powder also contains the added skin-loving benefits of ingredients like acerola cherry, mushrooms, grasses, berries, algae, cruciferous vegetables, seeds, spices, fruits and leafy greens.
Protein for gut health
When compared with high carbohydrate breakfasts, studies show that protein-rich breakfasts (containing upwards of 35g of protein) are more effective at suppressing ghrelin, your hunger hormone. Consuming protein-rich foods that are satiating enough to carry you through to your next meal is important for maintaining a healthy gut. This is because the time between meals sans food actually gives your Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) time to work its magic. MMC is like a cleansing wave that “sweeps” food particles out of the intestines. This helps to keep your gut in balance and allows your digestive system to take a well-earned break.
Studies also show that consuming around 25–30g protein at every meal benefits appetite, weight loss and metabolism. While this is easy to achieve at lunch and dinner, breakfast is often when most of us fall short. Unsurprisingly, sugary cereals and toast just don’t cut it! We recommend ditching your usual box of cornflakes or fruit toast for a nutrient-dense smoothie that boasts a balance of macronutrients. Simply combine a wholefood protein powder like BODY with fruit, vegetables, nuts or nut butter and your choice of milk and natural yoghurt. BODY Inner Beauty Powder is the perfect smoothie addition, as it contains the added benefit of both prebiotics and probiotics to help rebalance your microbiome, as well as an arsenal of amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to boost your metabolic rate and keep you feeling full for longer.
It’s important to note too, that if the gut is imbalanced, sometimes digesting protein can prove difficult – which is why a protein powder like BODY Inner Beauty Powder can be such a great addition to your daily routine. As it’s fermented and sprouted, it is therefore more easily digested by the body as the nutrients are more bioavailable.
How do you like to incorporate protein into your meals?