Consumer Reports: some plant-based protein shakes have over 15x safe lead levels
Need a little extra heavy metal with your morning smoothie? Consumer Reports tested 23 protein powders and shakes and discovered that over two-thirds are spiked with more lead than what their experts consider safe for an entire day. Some brands took the “mass” in “mass gainer” a bit too literally, packing in more lead than a Thompson submachine gun.
Consumer Reports tested 23 popular protein powders and shakes. The results? Over two-thirds contained more lead in a single serving than what CR’s experts consider safe for an entire day. In some cases, levels were more than ten times higher.
Plant-based products had the most concerning results. Plant-based powders had some of the highest levels of lead. They were nine times higher than the dairy-based protein powders CR tested, and double that of the beef-based powders CR tested.
Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer tested at roughly 1,570 percent of CR’s daily lead limit. Huel’s Black Edition vegan powder also raised concerns, with more than 1,200 percent. According to CR’s experts, these products should be avoided altogether.
Plant-based products, those darlings of the clean-eating crowd, topped the toxicity charts. Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer clocked in at a stunning 1,570% of CR’s daily lead limit, while Huel’s Black Edition wasn’t far behind with 1,200%. CR recommends avoiding both—unless, of course, your fitness goal includes developing a periodic table in your bloodstream. Back in January, lead was also found in protein powders by the EPA.