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HWN Suggests

That Protein Shake You’re Chugging Might Be Filled With Lead

The authors of the report stress that there’s no immediate danger. But over time, even small amounts of lead can hang out in your bones, causing neurological and developmental issues, especially for kids and pregnant women. The root problem seems to be that protein powders live in a regulatory Wild West. The federal government really should be more tightly controlling its contents, but that doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen anytime soon... The way heavy metals like lead even get into food and supplements in the first place is through contaminated soil, water, and less-than-sterile manufacturing processes. Plant-based proteins were the dirtiest in the test, probably because crops absorb more…

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 Protein powders and shakes contain high amounts of lead, new report says – a pharmacologist explains the data

Consumers can limit exposure by choosing dairy- or animal-based sources of protein products, since they generally seemed to have less heavy metal contamination than plant-based ones. However, some plant-based protein products in the study did not have high levels of heavy metals. Heavy metal levels vary widely in the environment, so the results from the Consumer Reports study show a snapshot in time. They might not be consistently accurate across batches if, for example, a manufacturer changes the source of its raw ingredients.

 Pumped on protein: can a shake ever be as good as a plate of food?

Protein is big business: as pumped-up as any ripped bodybuilder. The drinks, powders and bars that were once the preserve of top athletes have found their way into suburban kitchens and spawned an industry worth $96bn worldwide... But are they worth the hype? Protein supplements are pricey, usually heavily processed and, new research suggests, potentially unnecessary. And is a protein shake any better than a handful of nuts or a chicken breast? The optimum amount of protein needed each day depends on your size and how active you are. The widely accepted dietary reference intake recommends around 0.75g protein per kg body weight – roughly 50g for an average sedentary person.

Articles of Interest

Are Protein Shakes Actually Good for You?

Whether you prefer to lift weights, run for miles, or play a casual game of pick-up basketball, you might not think twice about downing a protein shake after a hard workout. After all, they pack a hefty dose of that muscle-building macro. So that automatically makes them a healthy choice…right? Unfortunately, the question “Are protein shakes good for you?” can’t really be answered with a straightforward “yes” or “no.” Everyone is different—and so is every variety of protein shake—so we can’t say for sure that any one is or isn’t good for you specifically. Ultimately, it depends on a bunch of different factors, including your nutrition and fitness goals, the ingredients in the shake, and how your system reacts to them.

Are Protein Shakes Good for You?

If you’re buying a bottled protein shake, read the ingredient lists carefully. You might find these shakes are “actually just sugar-sweetened beverages that happen to have a little bit of protein in them,” Dowler says. Some packaged shakes may have artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, which can make some people feel bloated and gassy, Bragagnini adds. Other ingredients, while not inherently “bad” for you, simply might not agree with you, like dairy if you’re lactose intolerant, Dowler says.

Examining the Healthfulness of Protein Shakes

Protein shakes can be a valuable tool in supporting an active lifestyle, helping meet protein requirements, and optimizing muscle recovery. Their convenience, versatility, and ability to support specific fitness goals make them a popular choice for many. However, it’s crucial to integrate them into a balanced diet, emphasizing whole foods as the primary source of nutrition.

Health Risks of Protein Drinks

You don't need the extra protein or the heavy metals our tests found...

How Many Protein Shakes a Day Is Too Many?

Yes, the macro is important—but more of these beverages isn’t necessarily better.

How Many Protein Shakes Do You Need a Day? A Dietitian Has Answers.

You might be 'whey' overdoing it.

How to Make a Protein Shake to Jumpstart Your Workout Recovery

If you’re making your own shake, protein content isn’t the only thing you need to worry about, either—you have to consider taste and texture as well. To learn more about how the pros pull it off, we asked Machowsky and Stephens to walk us through the process of crafting a shake from start to finish.

Is It Better to Drink a Protein Shake Before or After a Workout?

Protein is essential for building bigger and stronger muscles, but the timing of your intake depends on your own nutritional needs.

Lead Is Becoming More Common Among Protein Powders And Shakes, Report Says

Popular protein powders and shakes contain increasingly more heavy metal contamination, according to tests conducted by Consumer Reports, which found high levels of lead in some popular brands behind the rapidly growing protein market.

The Best Protein Shakes to Up Your Daily Intake, According to Nutritionists

To find the ten best protein shakes to support your dietary protein goals, we turned to dieticians and nutritionists on what to know, what to look for, how to find the right protein shake for you.

The truth about protein shakes, according to science

Protein-rich diets have been popular for some time. Everything from chocolate bars to ice cream is emblazoned with the promise of ‘high protein’. Influencers and media outlets seem to rave about the weight loss and muscle-building potential of eating a lot of protein. But when it’s added as an extra ingredient, along with additives, emulsifiers, and sugar - is it really helping our muscles grow?

This Food Beats Protein Shakes for Building Muscle, New Research Says

Burd agrees that protein shakes “aren’t bad for you.” He just argues that eating whole foods after a workout may be better. “Protein shakes are stripped-down protein,” he says. “Whole food is going to be much more satiating.” You also don’t need protein powder to support muscle growth, Keatley points out. “You need consistent, well-timed meals built around complete proteins and whole foods,” he says.

When You Should Drink a Protein Shake

The best time is after your workout to help your body recover and refuel