Are You Drinking Lead with Your Protein Shake?
The Unknown Risk of Common Protein Powders
Many people now regularly include protein powders in their diets. They are easy to mix, convenient, and aid in post workout recovery. Consumer Reports' latest research, however, indicates that not all protein powders are as healthful as they first appear to be.
Unsafe concentrations of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic are present in some well known brands. The FDA regulates foods and medications, but not protein powders. Businesses can sell them without first demonstrating their safety.
After testing 23 well known protein powders and ready to drink shakes, Consumer Reports discovered that over two thirds of them had higher levels of lead per serving than their experts deemed safe. Over time, the body may accumulate heavy metals, which can lead to various health problems such as kidney damage and nervous system disorders. Because so many people use these products on a daily basis, the risks rise with time.
According to Consumer Reports, two products had particularly high levels of lead and should be avoided at all costs. A serving of Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer had roughly 0.7 micrograms of lead, which is more than 15 times the recommended daily allowance. About 6.3 micrograms of lead were present in each serving of Huel Black Edition. These two powders are made from plants. Heavy metals can be absorbed by plants from soil, which could account for the higher levels of contamination in these products. Even though their levels were not high enough to be totally avoided, some protein powders still had high levels of heavy metals. According to Consumer Reports, these should only be used once every seven days. Momentous 100 percent plant protein and Garden of Life Sport Organic plant-based protein are two examples. Despite being advertised as clean and organic, these products contained more lead than Consumer Reports deems safe for everyday use.
Certain protein powders have lower heavy metal test results and are thought to be safer for occasional use. When tested against other products, the levels of contamination were lower for Vega Premium Sport Plant Based Protein, Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder, MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey, Quest Protein Shake, PlantFusion Complete Protein, and Ensure Plant Based Protein Shake.
However, protein powders shouldn't take the place of whole foods as the primary source of protein; moderation is crucial. Check for brands certified by third-party testing agencies like NSF Certified for Sport, USP, or ConsumerLab to select a safer protein powder. Compared to plant based proteins, whey and casein typically contain fewer heavy metals. Select powders with few flavorings or additives and short ingredient lists. Vanilla or unflavored powders might be safer than cocoa-based ones because cocoa-based powders can contain more heavy metals. Although whole foods like eggs, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, and nuts provide the majority of protein, protein powders should be used in moderation.
