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New Study Unveils Scary Heavy Metal Findings

A new study by the Clean Label Project has raised concerns about the safety of popular protein powders, revealing that many contain high levels of lead and cadmium. The research, which tested 160 products, found that nearly half of them exceeded California’s legal limits for lead, with 21% containing more than double the allowable amount. This contamination was particularly noticeable in plant-based, organic, and chocolate-flavored protein powders. Lead and cadmium are heavy metals that pose serious health risks, including organ toxicity and cancer.

The study indicated that plant-based protein powders, especially those made from soy, rice, and peas, contained higher levels of lead compared to whey-based powders. Organic powders also had significantly more lead and cadmium than their non-organic counterparts. Additionally, chocolate-flavored protein powders were found to have up to four times more lead and significantly higher levels of cadmium than vanilla-flavored products. This contamination is partly due to the natural absorption of these metals by plants, especially when they are grown in polluted soil.

In response to these findings, the Clean Label Project recommended that consumers make smarter choices when selecting protein powders. For those following plant-based diets, pea protein powders showed the lowest levels of contamination. If there are no dietary restrictions, whey-based or egg-based vanilla protein powders were suggested as safer alternatives. The study also found that the levels of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), chemicals known to disrupt hormones, were much lower compared to a similar study conducted in 2018.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition, which represents many supplement manufacturers, has criticized the study’s methodology, questioning how contamination thresholds were set. They argued that the trace levels of heavy metals found in the powders were well below the safety limits set by regulatory agencies like the FDA and EPA. However, experts like Jackie Bowen from the Clean Label Project stress that there is no safe level of lead and that long-term exposure to these contaminants can cause significant health issues.

While the findings are concerning, Bowen reassured consumers that they don’t need to avoid protein powders altogether. She emphasized the importance of making informed choices and suggested that consumers ask manufacturers about their testing practices. This way, they can ensure they are buying products with lower levels of harmful contaminants.