A recent testing of protein powders has uncovered a shocking and dangerous substance present within them. Analysis revealed that a single serving of protein powder contained levels of lead beyond what food safety experts say is safe to consume in a day. Protein powders have been a staple of Americans’ lives for at least 15 years. While it had niche origins, it has since become a mainstream item in the health and wellness world.
Report suggests protein powders have ‘troubling levels’ of this toxic substance
A new study of 23 protein powders and ready-to-shake drinks from popular brands found heavy metal contamination. The protein powders were first analyzed 15 years ago.
Consumer Reports purchased a range of bestselling dairy, beef, and plant-based protein supplements — protein powders and ready-to-drink protein shakes for their testing. They were purchased from multiple outlets, including Walmart and Amazon. Further, from New York-based supermarkets and health food stores such as Vitamin Shoppe.
After purchasing the items, CR tested samples from multiple lots of each product to determine the total protein, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and other element counts. Upon testing more than two-thirds of the products purchased, CR found that a single serving contained a level of lead exceeding what food safety experts said was safe for consumption.
Tunde Akinleye, CR’s food safety researcher who led the testing, expressed concern over the results. He described the results as “worse than the last time” the products were tested. He also cautioned people using protein powders against daily use, as many had “high levels of heavy metals” and weren’t “necessary to hit protein goals.”
Moreover, during testing, CR uncovered that two protein powders had too much lead. To elaborate, one serving of the two protein powders contained between 1200-1600 percent of CR’s level of concern for lead. This equates to 0.5 micrograms per day. Meanwhile, two others had a 400-600 level of concern, prompting experts to recommend limiting their use to once a week.
Furthermore, plant-based products contained an amount of lead nine times higher than the amount found in dairy proteins like Whey. The amount was also twice that of beef-based proteins. Notably, dairy-based proteins and shakes had the lowest lead levels. Nonetheless, half of the products tested included contamination levels high enough for CR’s experts to advise against daily use.
Pieter Cohen, MD, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, debunked a widespread consumer assumption that supplements deliver health benefits without risk. “That’s not true,” he said. Meanwhile, Akinleye said, “For many people, there’s more to lose than you’re gaining.” He also advised regular users of protein supplements to reduce their usage.
