Why does protein powder make my stomach hurt?

---

Why does protein powder make my stomach hurt? – In this article, you will learn why protein powder can cause stomach pain, and how to avoid this common side effect. This article was written by Jack Schrupp

Protein powder and stomach pain

Can protein powder hurt your stomach?

---

If your protein powder hurts your stomach, you are not alone. Many people report that their protein powder causes stomach pain. 

I myself have wondered why my protein powder hurts my stomach,, and it was not until I started reading ingredient lists that it started to make sense. Most protein powders are made with so much processing and added junk that they look nothing like real food.

Keep in mind that stomach pain can range from mild to severe, and last for a few minutes to a few hours. Call your doctor if you have pain so severe that you cannot move without causing more pain, or if you cannot find a comfortable position. 

Why can protein powder make your stomach hurt?

---

Several ingredients in protein powder can make your stomach hurt. Here are a few of the most common:

Food additives

Emulsifiers, thickeners, sugar substitutes, and other additives look nothing like real food, which makes them hard to digest. Foods that are hard to break down feed your gut bacteria, which release gas as they eat. Too much intestinal gas can cause bloating and stomach pain, and even constipation. 

Regularly eating certain food additives can also alter the composition of your gut microbiome – the collection of microorganisms living in your gut. This can lead to gut dysbiosis, which is linked to a number of chronic digestive issues known to cause stomach pain. Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powder:

acacia fiber, acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, ascorbic acid, aspartame, calcium carbonate, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dicalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, maltodextrin, mono- and diglycerides, ‘natural’ flavors, rice bran extract, rice dextrin, rice hulls, rosemary extract, silica, silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, soluble corn fiber, soy lecithin, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, tocopherols, tricalcium phosphate, xanthan gum, xylitol, zinc oxide

Dairy

Dairy-based proteins like whey and casein, although not an issue for everyone, can hurt your stomach. This is in part because they contain lactose, a sugar most adults cannot fully digest.

Protein concentrates and isolates

Most protein powders are made from protein concentrates and isolates, which have been mechanically and or chemically stripped of everything but the protein, including the enzymes, fiber, and other natural digestive aids that help you break them down. This can cause digestive issues and may even disrupt your gut microbiome. 

Finding a protein powder free from food additives, dairy-based proteins, and protein concentrates and isolates is hard. In fact, 99% of protein supplements contain one or more of these problematic ingredients. This is why we created drink wholesome. Keep reading to learn more about why we make our protein powder will not make your stomach hurt.

drink wholesome will not make your stomach hurt

---

Our protein powder will not hurt your stomach because we use a short list of simple ingredients free from food additives, dairy-based proteins, and protein concentrates and isolates.

our ingredients: 

egg whites, coconut, vanilla, monk fruit

the alternative:

Protein Matrix Comprised of (Whey Protein Concentrate,  Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Egg Albumen, Glutamine Peptides), Polydextrose, Sunflower Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols), Natural and Artificial Flavor, MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Nonfat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide), Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Yellow 5, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Papain, Bromelain

Note that instead of using protein concentrates or isolates, we use whole food protein sources like collagen, egg whites, and almonds. Simple protein sources like these are easy to digest and absorb. They also each bring a unique set of digestive benefits to the table.

Collagen has been shown to reduce bloating and improve digestive symptoms. Almonds are rich in prebiotic fiber and improve the composition of your gut microbiome. Egg whites are alkaline, meaning they balance the pH levels in your gut, and promote the growth of good gut bacteria.

Our customers thus experience fewer digestive issues with our protein powder than with any other type of protein supplement. Order samples to see for yourself. 

What do you if protein powder hurts your stomach

---

If your protein powder is causing stomach pain, here are a few steps you can take to address the issue:

1. Switch brands: Not all protein powders are created equal. Different brands use different ingredients, so trying a different brand might solve the problem.
2. Adjust the serving size: It is possible that you are consuming too much protein powder at once, which can overwhelm your digestive system. Try reducing the serving size and see if that helps reduce the stomach pain.
3. Change the timing: Some people find that consuming protein powder before or after a meal, rather than on an empty stomach, reduces digestive issues. Experiment with different timing to see what works best for you.
4. Mix it with different liquids: Sometimes, the type of liquid you mix your protein powder with can affect digestion. Try mixing it with water, milk, a milk substitute, or another liquid to see if one works better for you.
5. Check the ingredients: Many, if not most, protein powders contain ingredients that are hard to digest. As a rule of thumb, look for a short list of simple ingredients.

By listening to your body and following the steps above, you can find a protein powder that not only meets your nutritional needs, but also agrees with your digestive system.