Achi news desk-
Sanjay Sinha20 minutes ago
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Bournvita, Horlicks, Complan are not health drinks. Companies have been selling them by calling them health drinks. Now the Ministry of Trade and Industry has ordered e-commerce companies to exclude all types of drinks and beverages from the ‘health drinks’ or ‘energy drinks’ category.
On the other hand, the magazine ‘Medicine’ has stated in its report that 70% of the protein powders sold in India provide incomplete information about the ingredients.
Even big brands selling protein supplements have been found to contain dangerous amounts of arsenic, cadmium and lead, which can not only damage the liver but also have a bad effect on our brain.
pesticides in protein powder
Pesticides have also been found in protein powder. According to the Journal of Medicine, a total of 36 protein samples were examined. Pesticides were found in 3 of these samples. In one sample, ‘Fenobucarb’, in the second ‘Thiamethozam’ and in the third sample, quantities of pesticides such as ‘Azoxystrobin’ and ‘Dimethomorph’ were found.
The special thing is that pesticides have not been found in dairy supplements, rather these pesticides have been found in plant based protein supplements such as rice, soy, whey, peas, potatoes. Aflatoxins have also been found in them. Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist in Hyderabad, says that even small amounts of pesticides are dangerous for our body.
This can cause headaches, blurred vision, skin and allergies. If the situation becomes serious, the victim can go into a coma and even die.
Because of these toxins the cells do not develop properly. Cells become abnormal, increasing the risk of liver and kidney cancer.
Risk of kidney failure due to exposure to lead, cadmium, arsenic
Heavy metals can also be present in protein powder. According to the journal ‘Medicine’, arsenic was found in 13% of the samples. While cadmium was found in 27%, lead in 75% and copper in 95% of the samples. Dr Sonu Goyal, Professor of Community Health, PGI, Chandigarh, says that continuous intake of heavy metals in the body can cause kidney damage.
The pressure on the kidneys increases to filter out toxins. This can cause chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since the liver is also involved in detoxification, there is a possibility of chronic liver disease.
Out of 36 protein supplement samples, the amount of copper found in 34 was greater than the standard amount. Excessive amounts of copper can cause liver damage. At the beginning there are complaints like vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain.
An adult can take in just 900 milligrams (μg) of copper a day. If more than 30 grams of copper enters our body in a day, it can cause acute liver injury and liver failure. One protein supplement tested contained copper 33 times the limit.
Dr Goyal says that if even tiny amounts of arsenic and lead reach our body, it can cause cancer, blood disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, brain, kidney, liver damage.
In the investigation into the journal ‘Medicine’, an amount of lead was found in most of the samples. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a limit for many heavy metals and other toxins but there is no safe limit for lead. It is very dangerous to find lead in protein powder.
Risk of diabetes due to too much sugar
Protein powder may not only contain heavy metals and other toxins but also contain large amounts of sugar. If protein powder is given to a diabetic patient, it should be remembered that it contains zero sugar. However, a large amount of sugar is added to protein powders or supplements.
Dr HPS Sachdev, Pediatric Consultant at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital, Delhi, says that most of the protein powders contain added sugar. This can cause a metabolic disorder. Insulin resistance can occur and diabetes can also occur in the future.
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, saccharin are also added to them. Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives are also present in it. All these have bad effects on our body.
Protein supplements are not easily digested
Dr Hemlata R, Director of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) says that protein is necessary for growth and energy of the body. However, there is generally no lack of protein in our body in the same way as there is a lack of other nutrients.
It is worth noting that protein supplements are not easily digested in the body. If you are taking the right amount of protein from your protein then there is no need for protein supplements or powder.
According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines, 0.8 to 1 gram of protein should be taken for every kilogram of body weight. That means if someone weighs 50 kg, they can take up to 50 grams of protein each day.
If someone takes too much protein for a long time, the kidneys suffer the most damage. Too much protein can cause kidney stones.
A high protein diet can also cause liver and heart diseases. The risk of skin diseases, especially acne, increases in people who eat too much protein.
