An extensive study into some of the most popular protein powders on the market made a harrowing discovery about the products.
The study is called the ‘Protein Study 2.0’ and it was carried out by the team at The Clean Label Project.
Focused on transparency from manufacturers about the purity of their food and consumer products, the non-profit organisation utilises science and data in attempts to set the bar in safety, while awarding brands that go out of their way to be upfront with customers.
The study focused on figures gathered across 2023-24, with protein powder being considered one of the most popular dietary supplements in the US.
US protein supplements generated upwards of $9.69 billion (£7 billion) across the year, with many gym-goers and fitness nuts using it to help with putting on muscle, cutting weight, or general health.
It is often used to compliment a lifestyle, but what is actually in these protein products?
What did the study set out to test?
Do you really know what you’re putting into your body? (Getty Stock Image)
The team were looking out for heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, and Bisphenols.
Bisphenols are chemical compounds that are used to make polycarbonate, epoxy resins, and other hard plastics.
While it is found in food and drink packaging, it has also raised question marks about its long-term health effects.
It’s worth pointing out that compared with the US, the UK has stricter measures that must be followed, as protein powders are regulated as food items on this side of the pond, which includes labelling requirements when it comes to ingredients and allergens.
On the other hand, America classifies protein powder as dietary supplements, meaning they are regulated differently, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not responsible for approving claims or labelling before use.
Of the top brands in the US back in 2023, they tested 70 of them, along with 160 products which altogether, represented 83 percent of the market share.
In the end, they amassed 35,862 data points and tested 258 different chemicals and metals.
What did the study find in popular protein powders?
Protein powders in the US contain some unwanted ingredients (Getty Stock Image)
The non-profit revealed that they found a large number of positive results when it came to testing for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
Almost half of the products tested (47 percent) exceeded one or more federal or state regulatory set for safety.
As stated on the official website for the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in California, CA Prop 65, or California Proposition 65, essentially requires businesses to warn residents of any significant exposures to chemicals.
The harmful chemicals in question could cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, but it was found that 29 percent of the chocolate protein powder samples were over twice the allowed CA Prop 65 levels.
Bisphenols, such as BPA and BPS, had also been found, with studies such as Moonet al., 2015, linking it to affecting insulin tolerance, undermining athletic training, and Le Magueresse-Battistoni et al., 2018 linking it to increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Luckily, while they were found in 55 percent of products in 2018, just three of 160 protein powder products had Bisphenols.
Organic products were found, on average, to have three times as much lead in comparison to non-organic products.
This was attributed to plant-based protein powders containing more contaminants, five times as much cadmium than whey-based protein powders.
Chocolate flavouring was reported as high-risk, and was found to have 110 times more cadmium than vanilla-flavoured powders, according to the study.
Where do the contaminants come from?
While the heavy metals found are elements that can be found in our planet’s crust, they make our way into our food sources through events such as volcanic eruptions and soil erosion, before accumulating in air, water, and soil.
The US currently doesn’t have any federal regulations in place for the concentration of these metals in food products.
It is stated that the two primary sources of contaminants in protein powders are contaminated soil where ingredients are grown, and the packaging in which the products are stored in.
Consumers have been urged to look out for certain things when buying protein powder (Getty Stock Image)
What should consumers look out for when buying protein?
It is advised that protein product users in the US prioritise both quality and safety when looking for dietary supplements.
According to the findings in the study, it was found that plant-based protein powders should be avoided due to their sky-high levels of detected contaminants, in comparison to whey or collagen-based protein powders.
This is because the latter two, as long as they aren’t flavoured with chocolate, have the least lead in them.
Who should be taking protein and what are the warnings against using it?
While many may associate protein powder with gym-goers or bodybuilders exclusively, it has become a supplement that can benefit several groups over the years.
Athletes are still included, though older adults, vegetarians, and individuals with specific dietary needs or conditions can benefit from taking protein powder.
According to Medical News Today, there are a number of health benefits that can come from taking it, such as muscle growth, weight management, recovery after exercise, and added nutrition.
Not everyone needs protein powder though, as it is advised that it is only used as a supplement in a balanced diet and not a replacement for food sources of protein.
Taking too much protein powder can cause issues, such as kidney and liver damage.
Heavy metals and contaminants that can be found in certain protein powders could bring on allergic reactions, while The British Dietetic Association says some experts think too much protein can damage your bones, as well as possibly causing nausea.
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