Are protein shakes healthy and safe?
3 min read
Asked by: Natalie Shaw
It may be high in added sugars and calories. Some protein powders have little added sugar, and others have a lot (as much as 23 grams per scoop). Some protein powders wind up turning a glass of milk into a drink with more than 1,200 calories. The risk: weight gain and an unhealthy spike in blood sugar.
Are protein shakes safe everyday?
To be clear, there is no hard-and-fast rule about drinking protein shakes, and having too many of them in one day likely won’t have any long-term detrimental effects. For most people, anywhere from one to three protein shakes per day should be plenty to help them meet their nutritional needs.
What are the pros and cons of protein shakes?
If you use protein powder or are considering using it to boost protein intake, consider the following pros and cons.
- Pro: Older athletes benefit from increased protein intake. …
- Con: You don’t need supplements to get enough protein. …
- Pro: They’re convenient. …
- Con: Protein powders don’t deliver whole foods’ range of nutrients.
Are protein shakes healthy long-term?
Health Risks
Replacing multiple meals per day with protein shakes over a long-term period could result in nutrient deficiencies, digestive distress, nausea, bloating, headaches, fatigue or negative interactions with certain medications. Additionally, many protein shakes get up to half their calories from sugars.
Do protein shakes have side effects?
“There are limited data on the possible side effects of high protein intake from supplements,” McManus says. It may cause digestive distress. “People with dairy allergies or trouble digesting lactose [milk sugar] can experience gastrointestinal discomfort if they use a milk-based protein powder,” McManus points out.
Does protein powder affect kidneys?
Whey protein consumption can hamper the regular functioning of your kidneys by increasing the plasma urea content, urinary calcium excretion, and urinary volume. This overburdens the kidneys and can lead to kidney stones.
What are the negative effects of protein?
Risks of eating too much protein
- Weight gain. High-protein diets may tout weight loss, but this type of weight loss may only be short-term. …
- Bad breath. …
- Constipation. …
- Diarrhea. …
- Dehydration. …
- Kidney damage. …
- Increased cancer risk.
- Heart disease.
What are the symptoms of too much protein?
Symptoms associated with too much protein include:
- intestinal discomfort and indigestion.
- dehydration.
- unexplained exhaustion.
- nausea.
- irritability.
- headache.
- diarrhea.
What are the risks of taking protein supplements?
High doses can cause some side effects such as increased bowel movements, acne, nausea, thirst, bloating, reduced appetite, tiredness, and headache. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if whey protein is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding.
Does whey protein damage kidneys?
Summary: There is no evidence that too much protein can damage the kidneys in healthy people. However, people with an existing kidney condition should check with their doctor about whether whey protein is right for them.
Who should drink protein shakes?
A protein shake is a good option between meals, either as a snack or around your workout. Protein powders typically contain 25–30 grams of protein per scoop. People who exercise regularly need more protein to support muscle recovery and growth.
Do protein shakes raise blood pressure?
High protein consumption may increase blood pressure, according to a new study published in The Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
What is the healthiest nutrition shake?
Healthline’s picks of the best meal replacement products
- Ample Original Complete Meal Shake. …
- Soylent Original Plant Protein Meal Replacement Shake. …
- Keto Function Keto+ Shake. …
- ALOHA Organic Plant-Based Protein Bars. …
- OWYN Complete Nutrition Shake. …
- Ripple Nutrition Protein Shake. …
- GoMacro MacroBars (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip)
Can too much protein cause heart problems?
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland finds that men who eat a high-protein diet have a slightly increased risk of heart disease in middle age.