Organic Cashew Protein Is More Than Just a Protein Powder

8 Minute Read

At Lekithos®, we maintain the promise of single-ingredient protein powders to ensure that our consumers gain every benefit without additives or preservatives. Additionally, each of our ingredients are exclusively sourced from hand-selected, certified organic farms to ensure 100% traceability for your peace of mind.

Our Organic Cashew Protein is merely the perfect result of a verified process that begins with sourcing from select organic farms.

Once harvested, the cashews are sent into production in Germany. There, at a certified and trusted facility, the organic cashew kernels are partially defatted to create a crude protein. This process alone simultaneously increases the protein content by over 20% while reducing fat by over 40% (Alobo, et al. 1). Then, using a gentle, temperature-controlled process known as kyronert® technology, the crude protein is finely milled to create the soft powder you know and love.

What if we told you that you can gain more than protein and minerals from a single serving of Lekithos® Organic Cashew Protein?

We go the extra steps to guarantee the finest quality plant-based protein on the market and the best way to explain why is by breaking our products down into their most basic components: protein, minerals, and fat.

Protein

The term “protein” has significantly increased in popularity since diet trends from the 90’s, and is now used in everyday language from fitness influencers and weightloss drugs to everyday brands like Chipotle and BlueBell Ice Cream - and while promoting “high protein” diets, they fail to mention why consuming protein is even important.

Don’t worry, we are here to help!

The creation of protein begins when amino acids link together to create peptides. Depending on how many amino acids link together, they can create oligopeptides (2-20 amino acids), polypeptides (>50 amino acids), and enzymes (>60 amino acids). Each of these bonded amino acid chains come in various lengths and therefore serve various purposes in our bodies.

Oligopeptides

Oligopeptides include hormones (like oxytocin) and neurotransmitters that assist us in functions like mood regulation and stress response. Medical companies use these peptides in antibiotics as they help defend against viral, bacterial and fungal infections (GenScript 1). Due to their smaller size and ability to penetrate deeper layers, many skincare brands include peptides in creams and serums to boost collagen production and skin repair.

Polypeptides & Enzymes

Polypeptides and enzymes perform similar duties to oligopeptides, but are considered structural because the longer amino acid chain provides the framework and support for muscle cells and tissue. Due to these peptides being significantly larger, they also take on bigger versions of the same jobs such as hormone signaling. Polypeptides also make up hormones including insulin and glucagon, which lower and raise blood sugar respectively.

In many cases, the body is unable to effectively metabolize sugar due to insufficient insulin, insulin resistance, and sometimes pregnancy - which ultimately causes diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization, as of 2022, a record-breaking 830 million people were diagnosed with diabetes worldwide. The WHO also noted that, “More than half of people living with diabetes did not take medication for their diabetes in 2022” (WHO 1). This makes the need for medical alternatives high and the desire for plant-based, organic options even higher.

So where does cashew protein come in?

Lekithos® Organic Cashew Protein contains the peptides that slow the functions of Alpha-amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starches into sugar. When something slows the speed of this enzyme, it slows carbohydrate digestion and causes blood sugar to rise slower after eating - this is a key feature in medications created for managing diabetes (Arise, et al. 1). These specific peptides also displayed antioxidant properties that eliminate oxidative stress and protect cells involved in insulin signaling (1).

Oxidative stress is linked to the inability of blood vessels to relax properly which can lead to hypertension or high blood pressure. The peptides displayed an inhibition of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) which ultimately narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure. The protein within the cashews suppresses this enzyme conversion which widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure without medication.

While we are discussing protein and its rise in popularity, especially when it comes to diet trends, we might as well mention the rise of GLP-1. Though originally marketed for patients with diabetes, targeted medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) are now globally known specifically for weight loss, but what is it?

GLP-1 stands for “glucagon-like peptide-1” and is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the small intestine after eating (Pumper 1). As we mentioned before, the hormone glucagon is mostly known to increase glucose when needed, it can also promote the feeling of satiety and helps digestion. GLP-1 works by stimulating insulin release and blocking glucagon emission, delaying the natural function of emptying the stomach in order to control blood sugar and prolong the feeling of fullness (1). When someone feels full, they lose their appetite and therefore eat less which results in weight loss.

Protein stimulates the body’s natural production and release of GLP-1 to provide the same feelings and results. A single serving of Lekithos® Organic Cashew Protein makes up 20% of the recommended daily value on a regular diet of 2,000 calories.

Minerals

Lekithos® Organic Cashew Protein is more than just a protein powder! It contains high amounts of a variety of essential minerals that promote stronger bones, muscle relaxation, improved oxygen flow, increased energy levels and more!

Essential minerals are vital nutrients necessary for sustaining life that can only be obtained through the foods we eat. These can be separated into two categories: macrominerals (>100mg per day) and microminerals (<100mg per day). Important macro- and microminerals also featured in our Organic Cashew Protein include: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron and Zinc!

Calcium assists in managing muscle contractions and nerve signaling, though it is mainly recognized for building strong bones and teeth alongside phosphorus - which boosts energy production. Commonly known as a sleep and tension aid, magnesiumplays a role in more than 300 biochemical reactions including muscle relaxation and heart rhythm. Potassium regulates fluid balance while supporting healthy blood pressure.

Iron and Zinc, though required in smaller amounts, play a large role in our bodies. Iron allows red blood cells to distribute oxygen throughout the body and zinc supports the immune system and injury repair.

Lekithos® Organic Cashew Protein features significant levels of each of these minerals per serving to ensure you get the most benefit!

Fats

Though Lekithos® Organic Cashew Protein consists of defatted powder, it is important to note that our Organic Cashew Protein naturally contains 5g of fat per serving. After the defatting process, only healthy, unsaturated fats remain which help the absorption of fat soluble vitamins which include A, D, E, and K (Segun 1).

According to the National Library of Medicine, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, both present in Organic Cashew Protein, help lower cholesterol and maintain general cell health. Healthy fats lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and increase HDL “good” cholesterol which consequently boosts heart health as well (Muinos 1).

That’s not all!

The healthy fats found in our Cashew Protein even support brain health. Some of the benefits include better blood circulation to the brain, support white and gray matter density, and reduce inflammation (Muinos 1). Improved cerebral blood flow helps boost cognitive function including memory and mental clarity, but more importantly, it promotes the growth of new brain cells and reduces the risk of stroke and dementia. Supporting white and gray matter density is valuable because these portions of the brain control attention, learning, motor skills, and memory, emotion, and information processing respectively.

By regularly supplementing healthy fats, you are promoting the overall health of the two most important organs in your body: heart and brain!

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