Protein Powder: Unmasked

WillPowders lives and breathes clean living; counting chemicals and not calories; nourishing, energising and hydrating with the cleanest and most dense sources of nutrition available; eating like our ancestors and fuelling our bodies with good fats to support nutrient absorption, brain health, hormonal balance, satiety and general physical well-being.  

At WillPowders, we fervently believe that all of the above should be a priority for you and your family. Why? Because your body deserves the best. Feeling your best and looking after your longevity shouldn’t play second fiddle to anything because without a nourished body, what is life? We understand that some of what can make you feel great often comes at a cost, but when we feel sub-par, it impacts everything, from how we enjoy those little pockets of happiness to dealing with the trials and tribulations that life can throw at us. It’s an investment in the really important stuff, which is why nothing infuriates us more than when health and supplement brands flog you a lie!

We have conducted a deep dive into the most popular and most frequently purchased protein powders in the UK and international market and what we have uncovered is simply not okay; we won’t stand for it and nor should you!  

So…here we go, let the ingredient naming and shaming begin!

In googling the top, most popular protein powders in the UK, I accidentally became an ingredientologist (an actual job that exists in Big Food. The job role entails playing around with synthetic ingredients to get you hooked on their products, resulting in you becoming an Ultra Processed Food addict) so that I could understand half of what is in them.  It aint food, let me tell you!  Comparing the protein formulas with WillPowders’ Protein Powder made my brain hurt and required a lot of MCT Oil and Brain Powder to keep me going down the laboratory’s rabbit hole. Knowing that WillPowders’ protein powder only contains 5 natural ingredients really was like a holiday for my neurons.  

What was really alarming, was that the top 5 protein powders derived from plant based proteins or whey, the watery part of milk when separated from the curds. Whilst whey is an animal derivative, which, as you know, at WillPowders we advocate, there was no information available pertaining to its origin; therefore, making conscious consuming difficult. In addition, whilst whey seemed to be the main source of protein in lots of the most popular protein powders, what it is mixed with to provide a drinkable source of protein has never seen a blade of grass or morsel of sunlight. We have discussed the issues we have with plant based proteins before in our Protein Minefield blog; however, here is a condensed list: it’s not bioavailable; crops are massed produced using GMOs in places like China because it is illegal in the UK (and for good reason); it can wreak havoc on your gut and it’s often blended with inflammatory seed oils, artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers.  

Upon scouring protein powder sites for their ingredients, it became so obvious that some companies were trying to hide them. There was no clear ‘ingredients’ click, instead prefacing their laundry list of ingredients with ‘nutritional information’.  Nutritional information is very different to knowing what is in a product, hence why at WillPowders we have both of those buttons for every product!  Anyhow, I am willing to forgive this oversight, but I’m not so understanding when it comes to their use of Sunflower Oil, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum and Sucralose, to name a few… Not only this, an awful lot of the ingredients used in their “protein” powders come from carbohydrates, which simply doesn’t compute in my brain - let’s call a spade a spade, WillPowderers!  A carbohydrate is a carbohydrate, not a source of protein.    

Between 3 and 5 out of the 5 protein powders I reviewed also use these ingredients in their self proclaimed ‘magic’ powders, but here’s what you need to know and how they can impact your body. 

Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide, another type of carbohydrate (Yey! Another insulin spiking ingredient!), commonly used as a food additive. It is produced through the fermentation of sugars by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. Xanthomonas campestris is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes black rot in plants, so why the hell would you ever want to put it in your mouth? 

It is commonly found in UPF food as it is known for its ability to create viscosity and act as a thickening agent. It is frequently used in the food industry to improve texture, stabilise emulsions, and prevent ingredients from separating. Some people may experience digestive issues, such as bloating or gas, especially when consuming large amounts, but knowing it is a fave in the world of UPF should be the only reason you need to steer clear.  

One piece of research I found investigated the effects on animals, adults and infants, and whilst it can cause gastronomic discomfort in animals and adults, the study suggested that xantham gum was highly dangerous for infants: 

‘Xanthan gum relates to the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants…the New York Times published an article relating the tragic deaths of infants who had developed NEC after consuming a diet of formula or breast milk that had been thickened with a xanthan gum-based product called SimplyThick. This product was widely used in hospitals to thicken feed for infants with swallowing difficulties.

Two papers reviewed the cases of xanthan gum-associated NEC, and while there isn’t enough data to establish causation, the general consensus seems to be that the xanthan gum caused increased bacterial production of SCFA in the newborns’ intestines, and this contributed to the development of NEC’

Oat flour is used as a natural thickener and texture modifier across many protein powders.  Whilst oats are largely believed to have multiple health benefits, here’s why we’re not oat’s biggest fan. Oats are yet another carb, (give us strength!) that can play havoc with your insulin levels, but they can also cause gastric swelling, leading to abdominal cramps and bloating.  In addition, they can severely impede your body’s ability to absorb iron, resulting in anaemia. Not so shiny and brilliant now, are you, oats?