The study analysed 26 protein powders and these were either pure plant-based or blended or pure whey formulations. They either included different protein blends or those with herbal extracts. Of these 14 formulations, seven contained herbal extracts and the rest included milk, peas, soy, eggs, or peanuts.
Overall, 25 protein supplements, which comes to 69.4%, were mislabeled and protein content per 100 grams detected in the analysis was less than what was advertised for and it featured less than 10% more than the 50% deficit.
New Delhi: A first-ever observational analysis was recently conducted on the most popular protein powders consumed in India and it seems that most of these lack in terms of quality, labeling or advertisement claims. Findings of the analysis also showed that 30 brands of protein powders including those that contain herbal and dietary supplements like minerals, vitamins, or synthetic ingredients were published in the Medicine journal last week.
Protein supplements are said to be concentrates of high-protein foods used for bodybuilding or are extracts and used as a dietary supplement to fulfill protein intake as a pure source of proteins and amino acids. The analysis also showed that approximately 70% of the 36 supplements sold in India had inaccurate information and some brands managed to meet only half of their claims. Furthermore, 14% of the samples collected had fungal aflatoxins and 8% had traces of pesticide residue.
The authors of the study also noted most of the India-made herbal protein supplements have liver-toxic botanicals. The study also demonstrated that the protein-based herbal and diet supplement industry needs regulation and must conduct safety studies before marketing. Researchers also said that occasional reports were published that looked into amino acid analysis and whey protein quality to know if the product was resulting in protein spikes.
The study analysed 26 protein powders and these were either pure plant-based or blended or pure whey formulations. They either included different protein blends or those with herbal extracts. Of these 14 formulations, seven contained herbal extracts and the rest included milk, peas, soy, eggs, or peanuts. Four of the products were plant-based and 18 were whey-based or whey-blended such as isolate or concentrate. Two of these products were made in India and the rest were manufactured by multinational companies.
Out of these 36 products, nine had less than 40% protein content detected and the rest had over 60%. Overall, 25 protein supplements, which comes to 69.4%, were mislabeled and protein content per 100 grams detected in the analysis was less than what was advertised for and it featured less than 10% more than the 50% deficit. Two products from manufacturers had 62% and 50.4% lower protein content while a commonly-prescribed protein from a known brand also had mislabelled protein levels of 30% lower levels as advertised.
Authors of the study also said that some brands of proteins had more than the labeled protein content mentioned in the quantification analysis. High protein content hinted at better quality protein sources. Fungal toxin analysis also found that five out of the 36 brands were contaminated with aflatoxins that come from specific fungi. In the pesticide analysis, three samples were found to be partially contaminated with traces. BigMuscles brand was said to be the worst; one by Amway was the worst plant-based and Ensure, B-Protin, and Protinex were the worst brands advertised as best.
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