Protein shakes
Premier Protein
Score
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
- Contains seed oils
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 84
Premier Protein scores 84 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 5 points Sucralose: In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. Strong
- minus 5 points Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
- minus 1 points Milk protein concentrate / isolate: An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
The Receipt
Premier Protein
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 5 points
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 1 points
- Caseinate minus 0.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 0.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 0.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 0.5 points
- Inulin (chicory root fiber) minus 0.5 points
- Microcrystalline cellulose minus 0.5 points
- DATEM minus 0.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 0.5 points
- Sodium hexametaphosphate minus 0.5 points
- Magnesium phosphate minus 0.5 points
- Protein blend (unspecified) minus 0.5 points
100 − 16.5 = 83.5 → 84
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 49 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.5 g |
| Sugars | 0.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 9.2 g |
| Salt | 0.2 g |
Serving: 1 serving (325 g)
Ingredients
- water
- milk protein concentrate"
- calcium caseinate
- cooda powder (processed with alkau, whey protein concentrate', high diec sunflower oil, natural and artificial flavors, inulin, cellulose gel and cellulose gum, salt, datem, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, carragenain, tripotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium polyphosphate, vitamin and mineral blend) (not recognized)
Label text, as published
water, milk protein concentrate", calcium caseinate, cooda powder (processed with alkau contains 1% or less of the following: whey protein concentrate', high diec sunflower oil, natural and artificial flavors, inulin, cellulose gel and cellulose gum, salt, datem, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, carragenain, tripotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium polyphosphate, vitamin and mineral blend (sodium ascorbate [vitamin c), niacinamide, zinc amino acid chelate, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), calcium d-pantothenate, copper amino acid chelate, pyridoxine hydrochloride [vitamin b6), riboflavin [vitamin b2), thiamine mononitrate [vitamin b1), cholecalciferol [vitamin d3], folic acid, biotin, vitamin a palmitate, potassium iodide, chromium chloride, phytonadione [vitamin k), sodium molybdate, sodium selenite, cyanocobalamin (vitamin b12), ferric orthophosphate, manganese sulfate, magnesium phosphate contains milk, *source of protein ud gluten free 4384371534 p2t050001us0103 6, made in the usa from domestic and imported ingredients customer service (888) 836-8977 our protein blend comes from cows that are treated responsibly, without the artificial growth hormone rbst, *the fda has said no significant difference has been shown, and no test can now distinguish milk from rbst-treated and untreated cows, premier protein and e 2017 premier nutrition corporation, all rights reserved corporation, copyri energy for every day are registered trademarks of premier nutrition
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
Always check the package: recipes change.
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More from Premier Protein
Sources
-
Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome
“carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”
doi.org
-
“Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”
doi.org
-
“This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”
doi.org