BPN Protein Review
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
Is BPN protein powder good for you?
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s in-depth BPN protein review.
Is BPN Protein Powder Good for You?
BPN Nutrition Facts
BPN makes several different types and flavors of protein powder.
For the sake of simplicity, I am going to review its best-selling Vanilla Whey Protein Powder.
And because it is a protein shake or powder, I am going to start my BPN whey protein review by talking about the Nutrition Facts.
1 serving of BPN Vanilla Whey Protein Powder contains 140 calories, 2g of total fat, 3g of total carbohydrates, 2g of sugar, and 25g of protein.
From a nutritional standpoint, this looks like a great source of protein.
There is a high protein to calorie ratio and only a few grams of sugar.
There is no fiber, which is not ideal for digestion, but that is to be expected for a whey protein powder.
In summary, this appears to be a classic protein shake or powder designed to help you increase your protein intake.
I would not recommend using it as a meal replacement, as it does not have a balanced nutrition profile, but it could make for a good high protein snack.
BPN ingredients
The ingredients list is by far the most important indication of whether or not a protein powder is good for you.
And there are 8 ingredients in BPN Vanilla Whey Protein Powder, which is not a great sign.
Generally speaking, the fewer ingredients in a protein powder, the better.
Whey Protein
The first ingredient in BPN Vanilla Whey Protein Powder is whey protein concentrate, which, according to BPN, makes up 88% of the total protein content.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no official, legal definition for a whey protein concentrate (FDA, 2016).
That said, it is generally understood to be any product made by removing the non-protein components of milk, thereby concentrating the protein components to higher levels.
While whey is a quality source of protein, it is notorious for causing digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea.
This is because it contains lactose, a sugar that 36% of American adults cannot fully digest (NIDDK, 2020).
Casein Protein
The second ingredient in BPN Vanilla Whey Protein Powder is Micellar Casein.
Like whey, casein is a protein in milk and the by-product of cheese and yogurt-making.
Keep in mind that you may be sensitive to casein, even if you are not lactose intolerant, because it forms a gel-like substance in your stomach that slows down digestion.
Natural Flavor
Did you know that while food manufacturers are required to disclose their ingredients, flavor manufacturers are not (The New York Times, 2019)?
They can add solvents, preservatives, emulsifiers, carriers and other additives to a flavor that qualifies as “natural” under current regulations.
This means that the natural flavor in BPN protein powder could just be a catch-all term for everything that the manufacturer would rather not spell out on the ingredient list.
Gums
There are two gums in BPN Vanilla Whey Protein Powder.
Although not necessarily bad for you in small quantities, regularly eating ultra-processed food additives like these can cause painful digestive issues and even long-term gut health problems.
The problem with gums is they tend to be hard to break down and absorb.
For this reason, they can alter the composition and function of your gut microbiome (North Clin Istanb, 2019).
This can lead to gut dysbiosis (Microorganisms, 2022), which is linked to a number of chronic digestive issues (JGH Open, 2021).
Artificial Sweeteners
BPN protein powder is sweetened with artificial sweeteners like sucralose.
Although sucralose can be used to achieve the same amount of sweetness as several tablespoons of sugar, without the sugar, it has some serious drawbacks.
- Artificial sweeteners can increase cravings toward sugary and sweet foods, leading to binging and feelings of withdrawal (Yale J Biol Med, 2010).
- Artificial sweeteners are associated with a higher risk of glucose intolerance, which is a precursor for pre-diabetes and diabetes (Nature, 2014).
- Artificial sweeteners can alter the composition of your microbiome (Adv Nutr, 2019).
If you ask me, are you probably better off consuming sugar.
BPN taste and texture
Taste is so subjective that I hesitate to include it in this BPN protein review.
A protein powder that one person loves might make another person gag.
And if you read product reviews on Amazon, you will find both 5 star reviews and 1 star reviews of the same exact recipe.
For the sake of this BPN protein powder review, however, I will share my thoughts on how BPN protein tastes and mixes.
BPN Vanilla Whey Protein Powder has a smooth texture, and mixes well with both water and milk.
I mixed it in a shaker bottle, and did not notice any clumps or grit.
I also liked the taste a lot, as it was not too sweet and had a nice vanilla flavor.
If it did not contain so many ultra-processed and added ingredients, I would drink BPN protein every day.
Sources
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Agency Response Letter GRAS Notice No. GRN 000633. 2016.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Definition & Facts for Lactose Intolerance. 2020.
- The New York Times (The New York Times). Are ‘Natural’ Flavors Really Natural?. 2019.
- Northern Clinics of Istanbul (North Clin Istanb). Food additives and microbiota. 2019.
- Microorganisms (Microorganisms). Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Triggers, Consequences, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options. 2022.
- JGH Open: An Open Access Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (JGH Open). Gut microbiota dysbiosis in functional gastrointestinal disorders: Underpinning the symptoms and pathophysiology. 2021.
- The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine (Yale J Biol Med). Gain weight by “going diet?” Artificial sweeteners and the neurobiology of sugar cravings: Neuroscience 2010. 2010.
- Nature (Nature). Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota. 2014.
- Advances in Nutrition (Adv Nutr). Effects of Sweeteners on the Gut Microbiota: A Review of Experimental Studies and Clinical Trials. 2019.
Editorial Guidelines
This article was written by a Certified Nutrition Coach and reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.
Drink Wholesome makes protein powder for sensitive stomachs, GERD, IBS, and other gut issues. It’s suitable for most food sensitivities, including lactose intolerance, and won’t cause side effects like bloating, constipation, and reflux. Drink Wholesome is the best protein powder for sensitive stomachs because it’s additive, dairy, and gluten-free. It’s also made from minimally-processed protein sources like egg whites and almonds. Other protein powders are made from ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates, which look nothing like real food. Drink Wholesome makes gut-friendly Protein Powders and Meal Replacement Powders. Protein powder is high in protein and low in everything else, whereas meal replacement powder contains fats, carbs, fiber, and protein because it’s intended to replace the nutritional value of a balanced meal. We make three types of stomach-friendly Protein Powder: Collagen Protein Powder, Egg White Protein Powder, and Vegan Almond Protein Powder. As long as you get protein from a variety of sources, any type of protein can help you meet your total daily protein needs. In other words, for someone with a balanced diet, there is no advantage to consuming one type of protein over another. Order Samples to see which type you like the most. If you’re wondering which Drink Wholesome product is best for you, ask our Certified Nutrition Coach. For personalized medical advice, consult your healthcare provider.
Frequently asked questions
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What’s the Difference Between Almond, Collagen, and Egg White Protein?
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PREP TIME 5 min COOK TIME 5 min SERVES 2 In a blender, combine the egg whites, milk, ¼ cup blueberries, and almond butter. Pour the mixture into a small mixing bowl and add the protein powder and flour. Whisk until smooth. Pour ⅓ cup batter onto a heated and greased (or non-stick) pan to form pancakes. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes. This recipe makes 4-5 pancakes. Then, in a small saucepan, heat ¾ cup blueberries and the maple syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Plate the pancakes and spoon blueberry jam on top.High Protein Blueberry Pancakes
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