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For the past year or so, I’ve eaten the same breakfast almost every day: plain yogurt, berries, a tablespoon of cacao powder and another of chia seeds, all topped off with a scoop of protein powder. The protein powder helps keep me full – or so I like to tell myself.
I’m not the only one who’s embraced protein supplements. Globally, protein products are a $32 billion industry.
Earlier this week, the nonprofit advocacy group Consumer Reports published a study that tested almost two dozen popular brands of protein powders and ready-to-drink protein products, and it found elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals in more than two-thirds of the samples.
University of Connecticut pharmacologist C. Michael White breaks down the findings – and explains whether they should be a cause for concern.
“It’s important to note that all the products Consumer Reports flagged have lead levels significantly lower than the maximum daily exposure levels established by the FDA,” White points out. The group used a cutoff level that was about 10 times lower than the FDA's limit.
Even so, he adds, “The study does show that a few products are delivering a concerningly high dose of heavy metals per serving.” He explains where the lead contamination comes from and how consumers might limit their exposure.
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