Warning of dangerous lead levels in many protein products

Illustration: The New York Times

The report states that, despite the growing market for protein supplements, the worrying presence of toxic metals, especially lead, in these products has not diminished and is getting worse than before.

Researchers tested 23 protein powders and shakes from a variety of popular brands. The results showed that more than two-thirds of the products contained lead levels that exceeded the safe limit, with some servings exceeding the recommended daily intake limit (0.5 micrograms). In particular, one product had levels of the toxic metal more than 10 times higher than the safe limit.

The report also highlighted that the average lead levels in these products were significantly higher than those recorded 15 years ago, while the number of products with undetectable metal levels decreased. In particular, plant-based protein products had significantly higher lead levels, nine times higher than milk powders (such as whey) and twice as high as beef powder.

Specifically, the report found that Naked Nutrition's Vegan Mass Gainer was the worst of the products tested, with nearly double the lead content of the worst product ever tested in 2010, at nearly 78 micrograms per serving.

Based on these results, Consumer Reports recommends that consumers absolutely avoid Naked Nutrition's Mass Gainer protein products (which contain 77.7 µg of lead, equivalent to 1,570% of the daily safe limit) and Huel's Black Edition (which contain 6.3 µg of lead, equivalent to 1,290% of the daily safe limit).

Additionally, plant-based products such as Garden's Life Sport Organic and Momentous, if used at levels exceeding the safe lead limit by 400% to 600%, should also be limited to a maximum of once a week.

The report also found that Muscle Meds’ Carnivor Mass was the only non-plant-based protein product that exceeded the CR’s lead limit by 200 percent. Six plant-based powders, five dairy-based products, and one beef-based product all exceeded the lead limit.

Lead is a toxic metal that occurs naturally in the Earth's crust. Long-term exposure to high levels of lead can cause serious side effects such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, kidney damage, and especially negative effects on fetal development and an increased risk of premature birth when pregnant women are exposed to this metal.

According to VNA

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/canh-bao-ham-luong-chi-nguy-hiem-trong-nhieu-san-pham-protein-523684.html