What is the best caffeine-free protein powder?
drink wholesome is the best caffeine-free protein powder. It is additive-free, dairy-free, and made with caffeine-free real foods, not protein isolates. Order samples to see if our protein powder is right for you.
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drink wholesome is the best caffeine-free protein powder.
What is caffeine?
Does protein powder contain caffeine?
What is the best caffeine-free protein powder?
Why drink wholesome?
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in certain plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, and cacao beans (used to make chocolate). Caffeine is also synthetically produced and added to many beverages, foods, and medications.
Caffeine affects the central nervous system, increasing alertness and reducing fatigue. It works by blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation.
It is important to note that while caffeine can have positive effects, excessive consumption can cause side effects like restlessness, increased heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues. It is therefore recommended to consume caffeine in moderation.
Does protein powder contain caffeine?
Although some protein powders contain added caffeine, most do not. In other words, unless a protein powder contains a naturally caffeinated ingredient like coffee, cocoa, or green tea, it is probably caffeine-free. Our vanilla protein powder, for instance, is made with egg whites, coconut, vanilla, and monk fruit. None of these ingredients contain caffeine, so the protein powder itself is also caffeine-free.
Some protein powders are naturally caffeinated. Our mocha and matcha protein powders for example, contain a small amount of caffeine because they are made with spray-dried coffee and matcha (green tea) respectively. In both cases, the caffeinated ingredients are added for flavor, not for their stimulating effects.
Other protein powders are intentionally formulated with caffeine-rich ingredients, such as green tea extract. These types of protein powders are often marketed as metabolism-boosting or thermogenic products. If you are looking for a protein powder without caffeine, check the ingredients list, or choose an unflavored protein powder to avoid any potential caffeine content.
It is worth noting that foods, beverages, and dietary supplements containing added caffeine must list “caffeine” as an ingredient on the Supplement/Nutrition Facts label. They are not required to list the amount of caffeine, however, so there is often no way of knowing how much caffeine you are getting.
What are the best caffeine free protein shakes?
There are two types of protein shakes: ready-to-drink (store-bought) protein shakes, and protein shakes made with protein powder. In order to make a caffeine-free protein shake with protein powder, you have to mix the powder with milk or water. This requires a blender or shaker bottle, and a little extra time and effort. Some people, prioritizing convenience, prefer to buy ready-to-drink protein shakes, but if they knew what they were drinking, they would feel sick to their stomach.
Ready-to-drink protein shakes are full of emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, sweeteners, and flavors. Ingredients like these improve characteristics like taste, texture, and shelf stability, but can cause uncomfortable side effects. This is why I recommend that you make your own caffeine-free protein shakes with protein powder. That said, not all protein powders are created equal, and many contain the same additives found in ready-to-drink protein shakes!
Why drink wholesome?
drink wholesome is additive-free.
We make the best caffeine-free protein powder for several reasons, one of which is our decision not to use food additives. Conversely, most protein powders on the market are full of food additives.
While food additives may enhance attributes such as flavor, consistency, and shelf life, they can also cause unpleasant side effects and lasting harm to the digestive system. Essentially, due to the fact that they look nothing like real food, food additives are not easy to digest. Consequently, they linger in the gut for longer than food should, providing ample opportunity for gut bacteria to eat. As they eat, bacteria release gas, leading to abdominal bloating and discomfort. Gas can also impede the transit of food through the colon, resulting in constipation.
Over time, food additives can add up (especially if you drink a daily protein shake) and disrupt regulatory pathways in the gut. Ultimately, this can lead to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and systemic inflammatory disorders.
When purchasing protein powder, one particular additive to steer clear of is artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners rank high among the most detrimental food additives, especially in the long run, as they significantly impact the composition of your gut microbiota. This can give rise to severe and persistent gastrointestinal issues, pervasive inflammation, and irreparable harm to the gut microbiome.
Certain sweeteners, particularly sugar alcohols like xylitol, are poorly absorbed in the intestines, thereby feeding your hungry gut bacteria. They can also cause diarrhea by drawing water into the intestinal tract. Now, you may finally have something to blame for those post-protein shake trips to the bathroom!
Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powder:
acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, aspartame, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dextrose, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, “natural” flavors, maltodextrin, rice syrup solids, soy lecithin, silica, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, xylitol
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.
*This is the actual ingredient list of one of the best-selling protein powders in the United States.
drink wholesome is dairy-free.
Another reason why we make the best caffeine-free protein powder is our deliberate decision not to use dairy-based proteins. A significant number of protein powders use whey and casein proteins – byproducts of the production of cheese and yogurt – both of which have been linked to digestive complications. These complications are particularly prominent among individuals with lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). People affected by lactose intolerance and IBS cannot fully digest lactose, the sugar in dairy products. As previously explained, the incomplete digestion of food feeds gut bacteria, leading to the production of gas and subsequent side effects.
drink wholesome is made with real foods.
One final reason why we make the best caffeine-free protein powder is that we use real foods, not protein concentrates or isolates. In contrast, the majority of protein powders are made with protein concentrates and/or isolates, which are essentially dietary protein sources stripped of everything except the protein. They are listed as “pea protein” or “whey protein” on the ingredient list, instead of as “peas” or “whey.”
Without diving into the specifics, it should be noted that protein concentrates and isolates undergo extensive mechanical and chemical processing. In some cases, carcinogenic chemical solvents such as hexane are used to isolate (separate) the protein from the food. What is left over therefore looks nothing like real food.
Considering the fact that your digestive system is inherently designed to process naturally occurring foods, rather than laboratory-engineered imitations, eating anything other than real food can potentially lead to digestive distress. The long-term consequences of consuming processed foods like protein isolates are not yet comprehensively understood, but mounting research suggests that they can modify the composition of your gut microbiota, culminating in permanent harm to your gut microbiome.
Your gut serves a multifaceted role. In addition to helping with digestion, it acts as a guardian against pathogens, contributes to immune system education, and directly or indirectly impacts a myriad of physiological functions. Consequently, disruptions to the delicate balance of the gut microbiome have been linked to the development of numerous chronic diseases. It is therefore in your best interest to steer clear of protein powders made with protein concentrates and isolates.
Rather than relying on protein concentrates or isolates, we have formulated the best caffeine-free protein powder with real foods like egg whites and almonds. The egg whites are simply pasteurized and dried, and the almonds are just roasted, pressed to remove some of the oil, and ground into a fine powder. These real foods are an easily digestible and gut-friendly alternative to protein concentrates and isolates.
Real foods contain a range of enzymes and other digestive aids that facilitate the breakdown of food, making it simpler for the body to absorb essential nutrients. Conversely, protein isolates and concentrates lack these natural digestive aids, rendering them more challenging for the body to digest and absorb. Furthermore, minimally-processed plant-based foods like almonds are abundant in fiber, which contributes to promoting healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
Unless you have specific allergies or sensitivities to eggs, egg white protein emerges as the optimal choice for gut health. Egg whites exhibit low fiber content, low-FODMAP characteristics, natural alkalinity, and boast the highest protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) among all whole foods. Our customers have reported experiencing fewer digestive issues when consuming egg white protein powder compared to other types of protein powder.
For individuals unable to consume eggs, we recommend our vegan almond protein powder. Almonds are our preferred plant protein source due to their gut-friendly nature. Research indicates that almonds possess prebiotic properties, which can enhance the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome.
★★★★★
“I’ve had Crohn’s disease for 20+ years and it’s always been hard to find a protein powder my stomach can handle. I’ve had no problem digesting drink wholesome AND it tastes great. I highly recommend this protein powder if you have IBS or Crohn’s.” – Jesse
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drink wholesome is the best protein powder without caffeine.
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. drink wholesome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.