Strength and endurance athletes frequently include protein powders in their diet. They need the extra boost of branched-chain amino acids such as isoleucine, valine and leucine – the specific types of proteins that muscles burn for energy.

Most of these products are sourced from protein-rich natural sources like milk, eggs, legumes and grains. Some of these powders are packaged pure while others do contain additional ingredients. Sweeteners are some of the more frequently used additives, as these concentrated forms of protein don’t really taste very good on their own. A hard workout can be punishing enough without starting or finishing it off with a harsh tasting drink.

The use of artificial sweeteners in commercial processed food products, even in health supplements or pharmaceuticals is widespread. The advantages often sited are their reduced cost and their low to zero calorie content. But as you may well know, the safety of artificial sweeteners is still questionable despite official acceptance.

Read further to discover more about the negative effects of protein powders with artificial sweeteners and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends you avoid them as a source of protein. Continue reading →