Protein powders aren’t either inherently good or bad.
They vary in healthiness.
Some brands are OK, while others aren’t.
Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images
For example, protein powders with too much sugar or heavy metal contaminants are unhealthy and should be avoided.
This article discusses what you better know about protein powder’s health benefits and potential downsides.
Weight loss: Another reason to use a protein powder supplement is to promote weight loss.
What Makes Protein Powder Good?
In a perfect world, everybody could get all the protein their bodies need from real foods.
Is Protein Powder a Substitute for Real Food?
Protein powder is not a substitute for real food.
What Makes Protein Powder Bad?
Protein powder loaded with sugar is unhealthy.
Avoid protein powders with more than 5 grams of total sugars.
Also, some protein powders contain heavy metals.
How much protein do most adults need?
How Much Protein Do I Need Each Day?
To calculate your minimum protein requirements based on ODPHP guidelines, type your stats into this personalizedDRI calculator.
You might need more protein depending on your personal goals and activity level.
This would be about 110 grams of protein per day for a 150-pound person.
For someone weighing 150 pounds, this would be 150 grams of protein.
Excessive protein powder intake may cause digestive problems or adversely affectkidney functionin some people.
For healthy adults withoutchronic kidney disease, eating a high-protein diet shouldn’t cause renal problems.
When vetting a protein powder, they recommend researching if the manufacturer screens for heavy metals.
People withlactose intoleranceshould avoid protein powders made with whey, which comes from milk.
Added sugar can make protein powder unhealthy.
Check that your protein powder doesnt have more than 5 grams of total sugar per serving.
Some protein powder supplements have almost 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of sugar per scoop.
Summary
Is protein powder bad for you?
Too much can upset your stomach and may affect kidney health in some people.
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