Logan Steele
Muscle Milk is a protein supplement drink marketed towards athletes. It contains a high level of protein and a low level of carbohydrates, which can aid recovery pre and post-workout. However, there are concerns about the healthiness of the drink. Muscle Milk contains a heavy dose of artificial sweeteners, which may be linked to a lack of diversity in gut bacteria. It also contains emulsifiers, which have been associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and intestinal inflammation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Added sugars | The original Muscle Milk has zero grams of added sugar, Muscle Milk Pro has one gram, and Plant Protein Muscle Milk contains four to five grams depending on the flavour. |
| Sweeteners | Muscle Milk contains artificial sweeteners including sucralose and acesulfame potassium. The plant-based version also contains purified stevia leaf extract. |
| Carbohydrates | Muscle Milk is a healthier form of carbohydrate than a simple sugar like glucose. |
| Fats | Muscle Milk has been criticised for containing as much total and saturated fat as Krispy Kreme doughnuts. |
| Emulsifiers | Muscle Milk uses emulsifiers such as carrageenan and cellulose gum to extend shelf-life and improve taste and texture. |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle Milk contains artificial sweeteners
Muscle Milk is a protein supplement drink that contains a high level of protein and a low level of carbohydrates. While it contains no added sugar, it does contain artificial sweeteners, including sucralose and acesulfame potassium. The plant-based version also contains purified stevia leaf extract, which is not artificial. While zero-calorie sweeteners may help improve blood sugar control, recent studies suggest they might not be the best for overall health. For instance, a 2024 study found that people who consumed more foods and drinks with aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and stevia leaf extract had less diversity of good bacteria. Aspartame intake, in particular, was linked to higher levels of bad bacteria, which can throw off the balance of microbes in your gut and wreak havoc on your health.
Muscle Milk also contains emulsifiers such as carrageenan and cellulose gum, which are used to extend shelf-life and improve taste and texture. However, these additives have been associated with greater risks of cardiovascular disease. A recent review also suggests that emulsifiers might throw your gut microbiome out of whack and stoke intestinal inflammation, which can negatively impact overall health.
In 2013, CytoSport, Inc., the maker of Muscle Milk, agreed to pay $5.3 million in a class-action lawsuit about its marketing language using the word "healthy." Prior to the suit, Muscle Milk claimed to contain "healthy fats," but the lawsuit alleged that the drinks contained as much total and saturated fat as Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
While Muscle Milk may be a good source of protein for athletes and those looking to build muscle, it is important to consider the potential negative health impacts of the artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers it contains. As always, it is important to consume these types of products in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.
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The drink has been criticised for its marketing language
Muscle Milk also contains emulsifiers such as carrageenan and cellulose gum, which have been associated with greater risks of cardiovascular disease. A recent review also suggests emulsifiers might throw your gut microbiome out of whack and stoke intestinal inflammation which can take a hit to overall health.
Muscle Milk might lay low on added sugars, but they do so by relying on a heavy dose of artificial sweeteners including sucralose and acesulfame potassium. While zero-calorie sweeteners (both artificial and not) may help improve blood sugar control, recent studies suggest they might not be the best for overall health. For instance, a 2024 study found that people who consumed more foods and drinks with aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and stevia leaf extract had less diversity of good bacteria. Aspartame intake, in particular, was linked to higher levels of bad bacteria which can throw off the balance of microbes in your gut and wreak havoc on your health.
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It has a high protein, low-carbohydrate composition
Muscle Milk is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate supplement drink. It contains a healthier form of carbohydrate than a simple sugar like glucose, which is found in many sports drinks. The original Muscle Milk has zero grams of added sugar, Muscle Milk Pro has one gram, and Plant Protein Muscle Milk contains four to five grams depending on the flavour. This is impressive considering most pre-packaged protein drinks are loaded with much more sugar.
However, Muscle Milk does contain artificial sweeteners, including sucralose and acesulfame potassium. While zero-calorie sweeteners may help improve blood sugar control, recent studies suggest they might not be the best for overall health. For example, a 2024 study found that people who consumed more foods and drinks with aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and stevia leaf extract had less diversity of good bacteria. Aspartame intake, in particular, was linked to higher levels of bad bacteria, which can throw off the balance of microbes in your gut and wreak havoc on your health.
Muscle Milk also contains emulsifiers such as carrageenan and cellulose gum, which are used to extend shelf-life and improve taste and texture. However, these additives have been associated with greater risks of cardiovascular disease. A recent review also suggests that emulsifiers might throw your gut microbiome out of whack and stoke intestinal inflammation, which can negatively impact overall health.
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Muscle Milk contains emulsifiers
Muscle Milk is a protein supplement drink that is marketed towards athletes. It has a high-protein, low-carbohydrate composition, which is said to provide the extra protein needed pre and post workout for recovery. However, Muscle Milk has been the subject of controversy, with the company that makes it agreeing to pay $5.3 million in a class action lawsuit about its marketing language using the word “healthy”.
Muscle Milk also contains artificial sweeteners including sucralose and acesulfame potassium. While zero-calorie sweeteners may help improve blood sugar control, recent studies suggest they might not be the best for overall health. For instance, a 2024 study found that people who consumed more foods and drinks with aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and stevia leaf extract had less diversity of good bacteria. Aspartame intake, in particular, was linked to higher levels of bad bacteria which can throw off the balance of microbes in your gut and wreak havoc on your health.
The original Muscle Milk has zero grams of added sugar, Muscle Milk Pro has one gram, and Plant Protein Muscle Milk contains four to five grams depending on the flavour. This is impressive considering most pre-packaged protein drinks are loaded with much more sugar. Consuming too much added sugar is associated with a slew of health issues like weight gain and chronic diseases.
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It has a low sugar content
Muscle Milk is a supplement drink that is marketed towards athletes. It has a high-protein, low-carbohydrate composition, which can be beneficial for recovery pre and post-workout.
Muscle Milk has a low sugar content, with the original Muscle Milk containing zero grams of added sugar, Muscle Milk Pro containing one gram, and Plant Protein Muscle Milk containing four to five grams depending on the flavour. This is impressive when compared to other pre-packaged protein drinks, which are often loaded with sugar.
However, Muscle Milk achieves this low sugar content by relying on artificial sweeteners, including sucralose and acesulfame potassium. While these zero-calorie sweeteners may help improve blood sugar control, recent studies suggest they might not be the best for overall health. For example, a 2024 study found that people who consumed more foods and drinks with aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and stevia leaf extract had less diversity of good bacteria. Aspartame intake, in particular, was linked to higher levels of bad bacteria, which can throw off the balance of microbes in the gut and negatively impact health.
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Frequently asked questions
It's complicated. While Muscle Milk has zero grams of added sugar, it does contain artificial sweeteners, which have been linked to a lack of good bacteria in the gut. It also contains emulsifiers, which have been associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
Muscle Milk is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate drink, which can provide the extra protein needed pre and post workout for recovery. It's also a healthier form of carbohydrate than a simple sugar like glucose, which is found in many sports drinks.
A 2012 Consumer Reports test found three servings of Muscle Milk provided an average of 14.3 µg of arsenic, approaching the proposed USP limit of 15 µg per day. It has also been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and intestinal inflammation.
Muscle Milk may not be suitable for people who are concerned about their cardiovascular health, or those who want to avoid artificial sweeteners.
