Majority Of Protein Powders On Market Found To Contain Lead, Cadmium, And Arsenic
A recent study that was launched by the non-profit Clean Label Project, analyzed over 134 samples of what were considered to be the best selling protein powders in the US today; based on data from Amazon, fitness blogs, and Nielsen.
They looked at over 52 different brands of protein powders and they screened for over 100+ different harmful contaminants.
Over 70 percent of the samples were positive for lead
Even worse, for the supposed organic protein powder samples they were found to contain roughly 4.8x more heavy metals than the non-organic protein samples.
The director of operations for the lab that conducted the testing, Sean Callan, concluded from the investigation that the plant-based proteins were found to have much higher levels of heavy metals than the non-plant based protein samples.
And he suggests that the reason for this might be because of the location of where the protein powder might be coming from, and the possible soil contamination that might be related to those plant ingredients.
At least 40 percent of the samples tested positive for BPA
These carcinogens can negatively impact the brain, kidneys, liver, and more. Some of the protein samples that they tested included names like Vega Sport Plant-Based Vanilla Performance Protein, 360-Pro Whey Chocolate Silk Premium, Puori PW1 Vanilla Pure Whey Protein, Biochem Vanilla 100 percent Whey Protein, and others.
Due to worries over such contamination, there are some protein powder options already on the market that claim to test for such toxins and they advertise this on their packaging (see image below).
The protein supplement market is a multi-billion dollar market that is expected to surpass $21 billion globally by 2025. And for many individuals who are concerned about leading an active lifestyle, they're looking to protein supplements to try and achieve their various health and lifestyle needs. There are also many people who find that they need to turn to protein supplements for health reasons because of their own gastric and health issues etc.
It's a shame to think that for many people who are engaged in this market, who think that they are making a positive health choice with their protein powder consumption, might instead be unaware that they're consuming things like BPA, lead, and or cadmium.
Overall, the report concluded that egg-based protein powders were less likely to carry the harmful toxins, compared to the plant-based proteins which most likely come from soy, rice, or hemp. The protein samples that scored the best results were the whey-based protein powders.
Top 5 Products based on the study results
Worst 5 Products based on the study results
Pics:
Pixabay
original
original
via cleanlabelproject.kinsta.com
Sources:
http://www.powderbulksolids.com/news/Study-Finds-Lead-Cadmium-in-Over-70-of-Protein-Powders-03-01-2018
http://wset.com/news/nation-world/protein-powders-contaminant-concerns
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/11/28/1206750/0/en/21-Billion-Protein-Supplements-Market-2025-Analysis-By-Raw-Material-Source-Product-Distribution-Channel-Application-And-Segment-Forecasts.html
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/protein-supplements-market
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/health/other/heavy-metal-your-protein-powder-may-contain-lead-or-arsenic/ar-BBJNsDR?li=BBr8YXP
http://mentalfloss.com/article/533738/heavy-metal-your-protein-powder-may-contain-lead-or-arsenic
Sadly I’m taking protein because my body is small and doesn’t grow at the gym and people have told me if I drink it I need to drink enough water to wash it down . There’s so much and things in it
You have to do your own research, before you put something in your body!...:)...
I have done my own reaserch. And I found that ofcourse they do contain those substances which are heavy metals. I'm here to bulk, which means I need to increase my mass. If they are HEAVY metals, which means they should be contributing lots of additional mass. What's so hard to understand here @doitvoluntarily
Also you need energy to exercise properly. Where does energy come from? Batteries, that's where!
What do batteries contain? Lead, cadmium, nickel, lithium, mercury, stuff like that. Eating these essential metals will give you the energy you need. Its common sense pal and I am genius!
Very funny... if this is sarcasm...:)...
Or just don't put anything in your body that comes from a box.
Eat real food.
Indeed it was and I was down voted for that. Lol
What is wrong with the food industry in America ...seriously.
Since when does the FDA approve Mercury lead and arsenic in your plate. The best part is that it retails in the health corner, good sense of humor... But shhhh it makes money...
You got a 15.46% upvote from @bearwards courtesy of @jmehta!
This came along at the right time for me. I have been thinking about adding a protein supplement to my diet. I think I might just stick with protein rich foods.
Me too. But how many chicken breast can you stand?
I would say a healthy life doesn't need supplements. Good food is king
I was thinking about doing some light body building, maybe add like 15-20 lbs. I wanted the extra protein with out the unneeded calories.
Just sent this article to my friend who takes protein shakes before he gyms. People need to see the harmful substance that come with these protein shakes and wonder why it doesn't taste the way it looks!
It seems like more and more these days just about all the mainstream products have some sort of contamination...
1 study comes out saying “potatoes are good for you” and then a few months down the road the next study says “potatoes found to contain traces of the zombie virus” ;)
All joking aside, ya got to be really careful these days. Even getting local or organic can have its unforseen issues right?!
That stuff has always disgusted me. I'm sure there's some good stuff out there(evidently there is ^ ) but I lived with a kid who would just tear through the cheap stuff. I'm talking empty jugs filling up his room along with every available corner of the house, and from the cheapest, grossest Walmart-y stuff. I wish I could remember the brand
Anything coming out of a factory cannot be that good for you, raw foods are best, just buy a blender or juicer.
Oh no, my husband finished 2 containers. I forgot the brand ill definitely be on the lookout!
Shortcuts. The easier path, but one with many risks.