Protein powder is one of the world's most consumed fitness supplements. It helps build muscle, lose weight, and recover after an intense workout. Over time, protein powder has become a necessary supplement for gym enthusiasts, especially young individuals who want to be physically and mentally fit as they grow.
But what if I tell you that the supplements you are taking for your recovery and strength could also harm your health? Recently, we've read multiple news in national and international headlines about fake protein powder , harmful ingredients, and toxic substances in supplements, which can damage the nervous system, reduce cognitive function, and harm the kidneys.
Following the shocking Noida fake protein powder case, where three individuals were caught selling counterfeit products in Sector 63 on a major e-commerce platform, another alarming incident occurred in USA. On Thursday, January 16th, heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium were found in a top-selling protein powder brand. However, it's not only related to health supplements or protein. From time to time, we have read several pieces of news in which toxic metals in tampons and menstrual products were also found to become a topic of discussion for consumer safety and product quality.
This incident was revealed in a report on consumer awareness published by the Clean Label Project, a nonprofit organization that promotes transparent food labeling and food safety practices in the United States.
What does the Report Reveal?
According to the reports, 70 of the top-selling brands (representing approximately 83% of the total market) in the USA were tested out of 160 products. The tests showed positive results for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury levels, which have been linked to many health concerns and severe conditions. You might not know, but one key takeaway from this was that organic products, on average, showed higher levels of contamination than non-organic products.
The news became more viral when it was found that the organic ones had three times more lead and twice the amount of cadmium, putting serious concerns about their safety and integrity in the evolving health supplements market.
Furthermore, plant-based protein powders contained three times more lead and five times more cadmium than whey-based ones.
This analysis also considers the products' flavors. Further checking found that chocolate-flavored powders contained four times more lead and 110 times more cadmium than vanilla-flavored ones. "Our studies continue to report chocolate as a high-risk ingredient," the report states.
How Do Heavy Metals Get Into Protein Powder?
Protein powder particles are naturally occurring elements that enter the environment through natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, rock weathering, and soil erosion. Slowly, these metals get into the air, water, and soil, eventually entering plants, animals, and human food cycles.
The report points out that it has been caused by human activities such as mining, industrial operations, and agricultural practices, which significantly promote their concentrations, increasing the risk of exposure through food products.
Additionally, it highlights that the two primary sources of contaminants in protein powder are the soil where the ingredients are grown and the packaging used for these products. As explained earlier, heavy metals and other pollutants can naturally enter the soil and eventually reach human consumption, which explains their higher concentration in plant-based powders.
Also Read: How To Choose A Protein Powder?
Should you stop using protein powders?
After reading the above paragraphs, consider whether to use protein powder. With back-to-back news about fake protein powders and heavy metals, it's a big question. But you don’t necessarily need to stop using these supplements. You just need to cross-check everything before buying any supplements to ensure they are of good quality and have proper certifications like WADA, FSSAI, and Informed Choice.
It will ensure you consume safe, high-quality supplements that meet international standards and are free from harmful contaminants. Thus, you can focus on achieving your fitness goals without compromising your health.
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