If you've read the label of any Glorioso product, you'll have seen the name DigeZyme®. It's listed in the ingredients, but few brands explain exactly what it is, where it comes from, or what it does within a vegan protein. That's what we're going to tell you here.
Straightforward.
What is DigeZyme®
DigeZyme® is a proprietary digestive enzyme complex by the company Sabinsa. It is composed of five enzymes obtained through a fermentation process using non-pathogenic fungi, mainly Aspergillus oryzae, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, and Rhizopus oryzae. Its origin is completely plant-based and it is free of genetically modified organisms (Non-GMO).
The five enzymes it contains are:
- Amylase: breaks down complex carbohydrates (starches and polysaccharides) into simpler sugars that the intestine can absorb.
- Protease: breaks down the amino acid chains that form proteins into peptides and free amino acids, facilitating their absorption.
- Lipase: facilitates the digestion of fats, breaking them down into fatty acids. It also improves the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
- Lactase: degrades lactose, the sugar in milk. Relevant for people with lactose intolerance or sensitivity.
- Cellulase: acts on cellulose, the structural component of plant cell walls. It helps release nutrients trapped within these structures.
These five enzymes work in coordination to cover the digestion of all three macronutrients —proteins, carbohydrates, and fats— in addition to vegetable fiber and lactose.
Why vegan protein sometimes causes discomfort
Before explaining what DigeZyme® does in a vegan protein, it makes sense to understand the problem it solves.
Many people who try plant-based protein powder for the first time experience bloating, gas, or a feeling of heavy digestion that they didn't have with whey protein. This has a concrete explanation; it's not a figment of imagination or bad luck.
Plant-based proteins —from peas, rice, pumpkin, sunflower— come from seeds and legumes with more complex cellular structures than those of animal origin. These structures contain fiber, starches, and natural antinutrients that the digestive system has to work harder to break down. If the production of digestive enzymes at that moment is not sufficient to handle this load —something that can happen due to stress, lifestyle, age, or simply because the digestive system is not accustomed to it— the result is fermentation in the intestine, gas, and discomfort.
Added to this is the fact that many people drink their shake right after training, when the digestive system is secondary because the body has prioritized blood flow to the muscles.
DigeZyme® acts precisely at this point: it provides the enzymes that the digestive system needs to efficiently process plant protein, reducing the possibility of these problems occurring.
What DigeZyme® does in practice
When you drink a vegan protein shake with DigeZyme®, the enzymes get to work in the digestive tract. Protease begins to break down protein chains into smaller fragments —peptides and free amino acids— that the small intestine can absorb directly. Amylase handles the carbohydrates that accompany the protein. Lipase works with the fats present in the formula. Cellulase helps release nutrients trapped in the plant fiber.
The practical result has two dimensions:
Better digestion. Enzymes reduce the workload on the digestive system, leading to less bloating and more comfortable digestion, especially if you have a sensitive stomach, follow a plant-rich diet, or are over 40 (natural production of digestive enzymes tends to decrease with age).
Better absorption. A protein that is well digested is a protein that is better utilized. If amino acids reach the intestine in small, easily absorbable fractions, the body can use them more efficiently for muscle recovery, tissue maintenance, and other metabolic functions in which protein is involved.
DigeZyme® is 100% plant-based and suitable for vegans
This detail matters, especially in a product designed for people who follow a vegan diet.
Digestive enzymes used in supplements can come from three different sources: animal (extracted from the pancreas of pigs or cattle), plant (from fruits like papaya or pineapple), and microbial (obtained by fermentation of fungi or bacteria).
Those of animal origin are ruled out for any vegan. Those of plant origin, such as bromelain from pineapple or papain from papaya, are effective but can cause allergies in people sensitive to those fruits. DigeZyme® belongs to the third category: its enzymes are obtained by microbial fermentation, without involving animals or allergenic fruits. It is suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and people with sensitivity to pineapple or papaya.
In addition, DigeZyme® is dairy-free, soy-free, and resistant to gastric acid —meaning the enzymes remain active until they reach the intestine, where they need to work—.
Why we include it in Glorioso
At Glorioso, we blend four plant protein sources —pea, rice, pumpkin, and sunflower— to achieve a complete essential amino acid profile. These are quality proteins, but they are still plant proteins with the structural characteristics we've already described.
Adding DigeZyme® to the formula is not a marketing ploy. It is a formulation decision with a clear functional reason: we want the protein you take to be well digested and maximally utilized. A protein that causes discomfort, no matter how good it looks on paper, has a real usability problem.
This is also why people who write to us frequently highlight digestion as one of Glorioso's strong points, especially those who come from other vegan proteins that caused them discomfort.
Who can particularly benefit from DigeZyme®
While anyone can benefit from a formula with DigeZyme®, there are profiles where the difference is more noticeable:
People with sensitive digestive systems. If you tend to experience bloating or digestive discomfort after eating, added enzymes can relieve that burden.
People over 40. Endogenous production of digestive enzymes decreases with age. An external enzyme complex can compensate for this reduction and improve protein absorption, which is especially important for preserving muscle mass.
People who drink their shake after training. As we've seen, the digestive system is less active immediately after exercise. DigeZyme® helps protein process well even in that context.
People who are starting to incorporate plant protein. If your digestive system is not accustomed to processing large amounts of plant protein, enzymes facilitate the transition without discomfort.
People with lactose intolerance. The lactase included in DigeZyme® can help break down any traces of lactose present in the current diet, although our proteins are completely dairy-free.
Frequently Asked Questions about DigeZyme®
Does DigeZyme® have side effects? No adverse effects are known to be associated with the consumption of DigeZyme® at typical supplement doses. It is a well-tolerated enzyme complex with a documented safety profile.
Is it necessary to take it every day? It depends. In the context of a protein powder like Glorioso's, you naturally take it every time you prepare your shake. It doesn't require any special protocol.
Can I take Glorioso protein if I am allergic to pineapple or papaya? Yes. DigeZyme® does not contain bromelain (pineapple) or papain (papaya). Its enzymes come from microbial sources, not fruits.
Does DigeZyme® improve muscle gain? Not directly. DigeZyme® is not an anabolic or muscle growth stimulant. What it does is facilitate the digestion and absorption of amino acids from protein, which helps the body have the necessary materials available for protein synthesis.
Do all vegan proteins contain DigeZyme®? No. DigeZyme® is a patented ingredient with a real formulation cost. Many vegan proteins on the market do not include it. It is one of the criteria that distinguishes a basic formula from a formula designed for digestion.
Summary
DigeZyme® is a complex of five microbial-derived digestive enzymes —amylase, protease, lipase, lactase, and cellulase— that facilitates the digestion and absorption of macronutrients present in vegan protein. It is 100% plant-based, GMO-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. We include it in all Glorioso proteins because we believe that a protein that is not well digested does not fulfill its function, no matter how good the other ingredients are.
If you want to try it, you can start with our Chocolate Vegan Protein or the Neutral Organic Vegan Protein, both formulated with DigeZyme® and V-Label certification.
This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical or personalized nutritional advice. If you have concerns about your digestive health, consult a healthcare professional.