What are the risks of taking protein supplements?
William Smith
Updated on April 03, 2026
Potential Risks of Products
| Type of Supplement | Associated Risks |
|---|---|
| Protein | Dehydration Muscle Cramping Kidney Damage |
| Creatine | Weight Gain Gastrointestinal Distress Muscle Cramping |
| Excess Vitamin C | Kidney Stones Diarrhea |
| Caffeine | Headaches Nervousness Irritability Increased Heart Rate |
Are protein supplements a waste of money?
Dr Alison Tedstone, PHE chief nutritionist, said: “The majority of people are consuming much more than the recommended daily allowance of protein through their everyday diet. So even if you hit the gym regularly, spending money on protein supplements is unlikely to bring any additional benefit.”
What supplements are high in protein?
People use them to increase muscle mass, improve overall body composition and help meet their protein needs.
- Whey Protein. Whey protein comes from milk.
- Casein Protein. Like whey, casein is a protein found in milk.
- Egg Protein.
- Pea Protein.
- Hemp Protein.
- Brown Rice Protein.
- Mixed Plant Proteins.
Which complete protein supplement is the most digestible?
Whey protein is one of the most commonly-used proteins for protein powder. It contains all of the essential amino acids and is easily digested.
Why are protein powders not worth the money?
Protein powders are convenient, but unnecessary for most Larger quantities simply contribute calories and can actually reduce muscle-building potential. So, having several scoops of protein powder at once is unlikely to be helpful. Plant-based powders often have less protein, but shouldn’t be discarded as an option.
Are protein supplements worth it?
The bottom line High protein diets are a great weight loss and muscle building strategy, and protein shakes make it easier to increase your protein intake. Since they may help control your appetite, boost your metabolism, and help you shed some belly fat, protein shakes may be effective for weight loss.
What is the most common protein supplement?
whey
Protein powders come in various forms. The three common ones are whey, soy, and casein protein. “Whey is the most commonly used, because it’s a water-soluble milk protein,” says Peter Horvath, PhD, associate professor in the department of exercise and nutrition sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
