What to Watch Out For in a Protein Powder

Posted by Ishani Sharma on May 5th, 2022

Once upon a time, protein powders belonged to the domain of bodybuilders and athletes. Today, however, there is increasing awareness of the protein gap in most people’s diets. Protein is one of the human body\\'s most important building blocks. It is found in our bones, cartilage, muscle, skin, nails, and hair. It also needs to be replenished every day via our diets; this is where protein powders come in. But how does one choose the best protein powder? Here is a guide to what to look out for in a protein powder.

Ingredients you don’t want in a protein powder

Artificial sweeteners: Numerous studies have shown that artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, Sucralose, and Saccharin often have the effect of increasing cravings for sweet and sugary products. Since having more sweet foods is linked to weight gain and other health issues, it is better to avoid protein powders having artificial sweeteners.

Dextrins and Maltodextrins: These are usually added as bulking agents for protein powders. However, the best protein powder will not have these ingredients as they have negative side effects. They can cause gastrointestinal distress and increase the glycaemic load in the human body, which leads to fat storage. This is a highly unwanted side-effect when trying to lose weight or be healthy!

Vegetable oils and fats: Often, these are added to protein powders to make them taste creamy and rich. They may seem harmless, but they are usually derived from hydrogenated oils containing trans fats, which raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and lower the good cholesterol (HDL) levels in the human body.

Fillers: Watch out for fillers such as psyllium husk, coconut flour, and palm sugar. These are added to bulk up the powder and are not necessary to be included except to save the manufacturer some money. Though they may not seem harmful, they can lead to gastrointestinal distress such as constipation, acid reflux, and bloating in some people. People with sensitive stomachs may especially face difficulty with such ingredients.

Gums and thickeners like Xanthin gum: These are often derived from corn or soy and may again cause bloating and other gastric issues in certain people. It is better to avoid powders having these ingredients.

Remember, protein powders such as Amway’s Nutrilite® All Plant Protein Powder have clean ingredients without unnecessary fillers, chemicals, sweeteners, and trans fats.

What the best protein powder will have

The best protein powder will have a high digestibility score. This score is based on the proportion of the protein’s amino acids available for usage after the body digests and absorbs the protein product. This measurement is called the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS). This measurement was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has been the standard for protein assessment since 1989. Choose a protein powder with a score of 1, which represents the highest score. It points to the high digestibility of that protein powder. One of the best protein powders available today with such a high score of 1 is Amway’s Nutrilite® All Plant Protein Powder.