Organic Plant Protein Shakes are Toxic!

Examining the Presence of Heavy Metals in Protein Supplements

Protein powders and drinks have gained popularity among Americans for various reasons, including weight loss, muscle building, and convenience. However, a recent study reveals that many of the leading protein powders and drinks may contain worrying levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, as well as toxins like bisphenol A (BPA), which is commonly found in certain plastic containers and food can liners.

These substances have been linked to severe health issues such as cancer, brain damage, and reproductive disorders. The Clean Label Project, a nonprofit organization focused on examining labeling safety concerns, conducted the study. The findings showed that nearly all of the 134 tested products contained detectable levels of at least one heavy metal, and 55 percent tested positive for BPA.

Tunde Akinleye, a test program leader in Consumer Reports’ Food Safety Division, explains that these toxins accumulate in the body and can have long-term adverse effects on health when consumed frequently. This study isn’t the first to reveal high levels of contaminants in protein products. A 2010 Consumer Reports study detected arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in all 15 tested powders.

Study Results:

The Clean Label Project analyzed protein powders and drinks for levels of heavy metals, BPA, pesticides, and other contaminants (over 150 in total). The levels of contaminants were measured based on a single serving of each product, using the serving size indicated on the label. However, it’s worth noting that many consumers use protein products multiple times a day. On average, plant-based protein products, derived from sources like soy or hemp, fared worse than those made from whey (milk) or eggs. Plant-based proteins contained twice as much lead and higher levels of other contaminants.

Sean Callan, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and director of operations at Ellipse Analytics, the lab responsible for testing the protein products, suggests that plant-based proteins may have higher contamination levels due to plants’ tendency to absorb heavy metals from the soil. Whey and egg proteins, on the other hand, may have lower levels of heavy metals since the contamination likely originates from the feed given to the animals. Callan suspects that the animals’ digestive systems may help mitigate some of the toxins.

Interestingly, the study found that buying organic products did not reduce the likelihood of contamination. In fact, organic protein supplements had higher average levels of heavy metals than non-organic products. Callan explains that this is likely due to the plant-based nature of the products rather than their organic certification.

The research project not only examined heavy metals but also included testing for bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine disruptor. The findings revealed that 55 percent of the tested protein powders had detectable levels of BPA. Out of the 134 products tested, 28 exceeded the regulatory limit of 3 micrograms of BPA, with one product containing over 25 times the allowed limit in a single serving.

These specific products tested in the Clean Label study are considered top sellers based on statistics from Nielsen and the Amazon.com best-seller list. The research report, released recently, identified 53 out of the 134 tested products as having significantly elevated levels of the following heavy metals:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Arsenic
• BPA

Interestingly, the study also found that organic protein powders certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) were twice as likely to contain high levels of heavy metals compared to non-organic protein powders. Moreover, plant-based protein powders showed some surprising statistics:

• 75 percent of the plant-based powders had detectable levels of lead.
• On average, they contained twice the amount of lead per serving compared to other products.
• Some plant-based powders also exceeded health-based guidelines for mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.

According to Jackie Bowen, the Director of the Clean Label Project, these toxins present in plant-based products could pose a heightened risk to individuals following vegetarian diets who regularly consume these powders. On average, plant-based powders contained twice the amount of lead per serving compared to other products.

Products with the Best and Worst Scores: The Clean Label Project assigned scores for heavy metals, pesticides, contaminants (including BPA), and nutrition to each product, ultimately calculating an overall score. Heavy metal levels accounted for 60 percent of the overall score because their harmful effects have been established in previous studies.

The five products with the lowest overall scores were:

1. Garden of Life Organic Shake & Meal Replacement Chocolate Cacao Raw Organic Meal
2. Nature’s Best Isopure Creamy Vanilla Zero Carb
3. Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
4. 360Cut Performance Supplements 360PRO Whey Chocolate Silk Premium Whey Protein
5. Vega Sport Plant-Based Vanilla Performance Protein

Consumer Reports reached out to these five companies for comments, but only Garden of Life responded, declining to comment.

The five products with the highest overall scores were:

1. Pure Protein Vanilla Cream 100% Whey
2. Performix Pro Whey Sabor Vanilla Protein with Amino Beads
3. BodyFortress Super Advanced Vanilla 100% Whey Protein
4. BioChem Vanilla 100% Whey Protein
5. Puori PW1 Vanilla Pure Whey Protein.

The fact that the higher-scoring products are whey-based aligns with Callan’s theory about the different absorption levels of toxins between plant-based and whey-based proteins.

However, the association with vanilla flavor is more intriguing, and it may be coincidental. Jaclyn Bowen, the executive director of Clean Label Project, suggests one possible explanation: the cacao plants used to produce the chocolate flavor in some supplements are susceptible to absorbing heavy metals.

Tunde Akinleye from Consumer Reports acknowledges that creating protein powders completely free of any trace of heavy metals would be extremely challenging. Instead, he suggests comparing the different products to determine which ones have lower contamination levels.

Do You Really Need Protein Powder?

With the abundance of protein powders and drinks available in stores, one might assume that Americans suffer from a protein deficiency. However, according to Maxine Siegel, R.D., who heads CR’s food testing lab, most people already consume an adequate amount of protein through their regular diet.

Protein products typically provide around 15 to 25 grams of protein per serving, although some may contain more. In comparison, a 5-ounce container of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt contains approximately 17 grams of protein, and 3.5 ounces of chicken breast provides 31 grams. The recommended protein intake ranges from 0.4 to 0.6 grams per pound of body weight per day.

Siegel emphasizes that achieving this protein intake is not difficult if individuals incorporate natural sources of protein into their diets, such as legumes, nuts, low-fat dairy, fish, and lean meats. Whole foods not only offer protein but also provide a variety of essential nutrients.

Furthermore, it is important to note that dietary supplements, including protein powders, are only loosely regulated. Although they fall under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are classified differently from drugs. Manufacturers are not required to prove the safety, efficacy, or accuracy of labeling for these products.

As always, it is recommended to consult with a physician before incorporating protein powder or any dietary supplement into your routine to ensure it aligns with your specific health needs and goals.