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The recent wave of youngsters hitting the gym with an aspiration of building muscles has been growing vastly. Apart from lifting weights, the other important aspect of building muscles is completing the body's protein needs on a daily basis. Since the required protein is 0.8 times your body weight, it seems far-fetched to complete it, especially for vegetarians.
So, the easiest way to do so is by taking supplements. On average, a scoop of protein powder contains 10 to 30 grams of protein. So, even if you add two scoops of protein powder to your milkshake and drink it twice, you’re almost close to completing your protein intake. However, the question remains, “Do the supplement brands adhere to the list of ingredients?”
Due to the rise in demand for protein supplements, there are often reports and cases of inaccurate protein information, adulteration, and even the presence of toxins and pesticide residues in the protein powder. As per a report published in the journal Medicine in 2024, out of 36 supplements, 70% had inaccurate protein information, and some brands offered half of what they claimed. Furthermore, around 14% of samples contained fungal aflatoxins, and 8% had traces of pesticide residue.
Taking the issues into account, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is about to introduce a set of strict rules that will be followed by protein powder manufacturers or suppliers. As per a report by the Economic Times, an FSSAI official said, "There are a lot of protein products in the market which are more harmful than beneficial. The idea is to have stringent norms so that there is no damage to public health.”
So, while the guidelines are being set by FSSAI, you can do your part and be vigilant while blindly trusting the list of ingredients for the protein powders. It is advised to do your research before taking any supplement that claims to boost your health, as it might be more harmful than you think.
