Is your protein powder on this list?

36 Indian protein powders, analyzed in serious detail

My last post on protein powders hit a nerve.

Rightfully so.

Protein (powder) is a supplement you probably consume every month.

If you found out you’ve been lied to…

…or worse the product is actively hurting your health…

…you would not be pleased. At all.

I’m following up with real data on 36 protein brands available in the Indian Market.

This data evaluates:

1. Actual protein vs. claimed protein

2. Toxin Contamination

3. Pesticide Contamination

4. Heavy metal contamination

Note: This data is the work product of the team at the Liver Institute and testing was conducted by Neogen labs. The project was funded by Paras Chopra (an entrepreneur with no vested interest in any of the protein brands).

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List of protein brands analyzed

Do you see the one you use listed?

Claimed protein vs. actual protein

Highest Pure Whey Protein Content:

1. Dymatize

2. Muscle Blaze

3. Ultimate Nutrition

4. Optimum Nutrition

5. Muscletech

6. My protein

Higest Plant-Based Protein Content:

1. Himalayan Organics

2. Oziva

3. Amway Nutrilite

4. Elements

Aflatoxin contamination

Aflatoxin are a fungal toxin which can affect crops.

High levels can affect growth and cause liver injury.

Brands with Aflatoxins or Pesticides:

1. Ultra-soy protein by Forever Life [Aflatoxin Detected]

2. Whey isolate by Optimum nutrition [Aflatoxin Detected]

3. B-protin by British Biologicals [Aflatoxin Detected]

4. Protein powder by Elements [Aflatoxin Detected Above Safe Limits]

5. Nutrilite plant protein by Amway [Aflatoxin Detected Above Safe Limits]

6. Vegan Protein by Big Muscles [Pesticide Detected]

7. Protein & Herbs by Oziva [Pesticide Detected]

8. Weight Plus Protein by Dr. Vaidya’s [Pesticide Detected]

Majority are plant proteins.

This makes sense: plant proteins come from crops, whey comes from milk.   

Aflatoxins and pesticides affect crops disproportionately more than they affect whey.

Plant-based is not always better.   

Heavy Metal Contamination

Each brand was tested for Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Thallium and Copper.

Brands with heavy metal loads:

1. Ultra-soy protein by Forever Life [Contains Arsenic & High Levels of Copper]

2. Protinex by Danone [Contains Arsenic]

3. My first protein by Healthkart [Contains Arsenic]

4. Protein powder by Vestige [Contains Arsenic]

5. Protein Plus by Bakson’s Homeopathy [Contains Arsenic]

Most brands contain trace levels of cadmium and lead.

Research has still not identified any ‘safe’ limit for lead.

So any presence of lead is ⚠️.

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Final Shortlist

Pure Whey Protein Brands, with no toxins, heavy metals or pesticides:

1. One Science

2. Ultimate Nutrition

Plant Protein Brands, with no toxins, heavy metals or pesticides:

1. Origin

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Word of caution

The Liver Institute published the recommendation to steer clear of proteins with herbal additives green tea extracts, ashwagandha extracts and turmeric.

These have been linked to liver injury.

i.e. when you buy protein, just buy protein. Not protein + herbs.

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Credit to the entire study goes to The Liver Institute. I have merely summarized their data, and do not recommend or endorse ANY of these protein brands.

Link to their source file: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1XSc8hqTEiMRKRJ1yqKNqojJU5hV3Gik0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113987699695654238597&rtpof=true&sd=true

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