Protein shakes
Six Star Protein Shake
1 shake
Score
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
- Contains seed oils
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 81
Six Star Protein Shake scores 81 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 5 points Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose): In a small randomized feeding trial, carboxymethylcellulose modestly increased abdominal discomfort and reduced gut microbiota diversity; in mice it promoted low-grade inflammation. Strong
- 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 Carrageenan: In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, higher carrageenan intake was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes; cause and effect is not established. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
The Receipt
Protein Shake
Ingredients
- Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose) minus 5 points
- Sucralose minus 5 points
- Carrageenan minus 5 points
- Milk 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
- Magnesium phosphate minus 0.5 points
- Sodium hexametaphosphate minus 0.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 0.5 points
- Microcrystalline cellulose minus 0.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 0.5 points
100 − 19.5 = 80.5 → 81
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 49 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.9 g |
| Sugars | 0.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 9.2 g |
| Salt | 0.2 g |
Serving: 1 shake (325 g)
Ingredients
- Water
- Milk Protein Concentrate
- Sunflower Oil
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Inulin
- Magnesium Phosphate
- Salt
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate
- Tripotassium Phosphate
- Cellulose Gel
- Dipotassium Phosphate
- Cellulose Gum (moderate concern)
- Sodium Ascorbate
- Sucralose (moderate concern)
- Calcium Phosphate
- Ferric Pyrophosphate
- Zinc Gluconate
- Carrageenan (moderate concern)
- dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate
- Manganese Sulfate
- Sodium Molybdate
- d-Calcium Pantothenate
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Riboflavin
- Thiamine Hydrochloride
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Chromium Chloride
- Copper Citrate
- Potassium Iodide
- Sodium Selenite
- Folic Acid
- Phylloquinone
- Biotin
- Cyanocobalamin
- Cholecalciferol
Label text, as published
Water, Milk Protein Concentrate, Contains 2% or less of each of the following: Sunflower Oil, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Inulin, Magnesium Phosphate, Salt, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Tripotassium Phosphate, Cellulose Gel, Dipotassium Phosphate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Ascorbate, Sucralose, Calcium Phosphate, Ferric Pyrophosphate, Zinc Gluconate, Carrageenan, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Molybdate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Palmitate, Chromium Chloride, Copper Citrate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Phylloquinone, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Cholecalciferol. Contains milk. Processed in a facility that also processes soy.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
May contain: Soy
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Hdpe 2 high density polyethylene
Context only: no points in v1.
More protein shakes on GoodSwap
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High Quality Protein Fairlife · 11.5 fl oz (340 mL) Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 84 out of 100 Excellent -
Core Power High Protein Milk Shake Chocolate Fairlife · 14 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 46 out of 100 Okay -
CORE POWER High Protein Milk Shake Chocolate Rlife · 414 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 51 out of 100 Okay -
All-In-One Nutrition Shake Ka'Chava · 62 g Seed-oil free Score 91 out of 100 Excellent -
Protein Whey Smooth Vanilla Equate · 22 oz Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 83 out of 100 Excellent -
Genuine Protein Powder Muscle Milk · 30.9 oz/1.93 lb/875 g Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oilsContains artificial flavors Score 85 out of 100 Excellent
More from Six Star
Sources
-
“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
-
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
-
“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
-
“The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses”
doi.org
-
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
-
“We found direct associations between the risk of type 2 diabetes and exposures to various food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods, in a large prospective cohort of French adults.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives
“However, the Panel noted uncertainties as regards the chemistry, the exposure assessment and biological and toxicological data.”
doi.org
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
“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