Pea Protein for Hair: What the Research Shows

Pea protein is a plant protein, and we found no study of pea protein powder on hair. Hair research links protein to hair mostly through malnutrition and shedding, and a small pilot study tested a different product: pea sprout extract.

Here's what that research does and doesn't show.

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Key Takeaways

• We found no study of pea protein for hair growth.
• A review of nutrition and hair loss reports that what is known comes from protein-energy malnutrition, starvation and eating disorders, and that excess supplements may themselves cause hair loss.
• In 15 healthy volunteers, pea protein isolate was digested about as well as casein (93.6% against 96.8%), with a digestible indispensable amino acid score of 1.00.
• A pilot study of 21 volunteers taking 100 mg of pea sprout extract found less hair loss after 28 days, but that is a different product from pea protein.

What Is Pea Protein?

Pea protein is a protein isolate made from peas. Protein sources often get attention in hair products.

Does Pea Protein Help Hair?

Not shown. Eating enough protein matters for health, but we found no trial showing extra pea protein grows hair in people who already eat enough.

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Using Pea Protein Sensibly

• Aim for enough protein overall, not a particular source.
• Persistent shedding is worth a doctor visit. A review notes nutritional factors, such as iron status, can play a role.
• Avoid excess supplements. The same review says excessive intakes may cause hair loss.

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What The Research Shows

Nutrition And Hair Loss

A review of nutritional factors and hair loss concluded that what is known comes from studies of protein-energy malnutrition, starvation and eating disorders. In otherwise healthy people, nutritional factors appear to play a role in persistent increased shedding. It noted that excessive intakes of nutritional supplements may actually cause hair loss and are not recommended without a proven deficiency (Rushton, 2002).

How Well Pea Protein Is Digested

In a randomized trial, 15 healthy volunteers ate meals with either pea protein isolate or casein. Amino acid digestibility was 93.6% for pea protein and 96.8% for casein, with no significant difference. Leucine, valine, lysine and phenylalanine were less digestible in pea. The digestible indispensable amino acid score was 1.00 for pea protein and 1.45 for casein, and the authors concluded pea protein could meet all amino acid requirements (Guillin et al., 2022). That study was about nutrition, not hair.

Pea Sprout Extract

A short communication tested pea sprout extract, not pea protein. A fluid with 2% extract applied to the scalp of 10 volunteers increased expression of two hair-related genes, FGF7 (56%) and noggin (85%). In a pilot study of 21 volunteers, 100 mg a day for 8 weeks significantly reduced hair loss from day 28, with no adverse events reported (Grothe et al., 2020). It was small, and the product was a branded extract.

Another protein people ask about is whey; see whey protein and hair.

See also: L-Lysine for Hair: What the Research Shows · Amino Acids for Hair Growth: What the Research Shows

For the foods that matter most for hair, see our guide to protein-rich foods for hair growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pea protein help hair grow?

We found no study showing that.

Is pea protein a good protein source?

In one trial, its digestibility was close to casein's.

Is pea sprout extract the same as pea protein?

No. The pilot study used a sprout extract at 100 mg a day.

References

1. Rushton DH. Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002. PubMed
2. Guillin FM, Gaudichon C, Guérin-Deremaux L, et al. Real ileal amino acid digestibility of pea protein compared to casein in healthy humans: a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022. PubMed
3. Grothe T, Wandrey F, Schuerch C. Short communication: Clinical evaluation of pea sprout extract in the treatment of hair loss. Phytother Res. 2020. PubMed