Why Organic Protein Powders are Better than Non-Organic

Protein powders are a convenient way to add protein, though most people can get enough from food.^[1] Read on for how protein powders are made, what the organic label does and doesn’t tell you, and what matters more than organic when you choose one.

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Protein is one of the three macronutrients, along with carbohydrates and fat. It’s built from amino acids. Nine of them are essential, meaning your body can’t make them and has to get them from food; the rest are nonessential or conditionally essential, meaning the body can usually make them.^[4] Plants make all of their own amino acids. Animal foods, soy and quinoa supply all nine essential ones in good amounts, and a varied plant-based diet with beans, lentils, grains, nuts and seeds can cover protein needs too. As the name suggests, protein powders are a concentrated form of protein. This protein is derived from a food source, either plant or animal. Most common sources of protein powders include dairy, eggs, rice, etc. However, there are three common types of protein powders available in the market. These are explained down below:

• Protein Concentrates – Protein concentrates are obtained by extracting protein from the source by heating. This process commonly produces 60-80% protein, whereas the rest is fat and carbohydrates.
• Protein Hydrolysates – Hydrolysates are anything that is obtained through the process of hydrolysis. Protein hydrolysates are made by breaking protein into shorter chains with enzymes or acid, so they’re partly pre-digested and absorbed a little faster. They often taste more bitter and cost more. Whey is the most common hydrolysate; see our organic whey protein guide.
• Protein Isolates – To obtain protein isolates, additional filtering is performed on protein concentrates. This step filters out the carbs and fat from the protein concentrate. Protein isolates contain more than 90% of protein.

Most protein powders aren’t pure protein. Many add sweeteners, flavors, thickeners, and sometimes vitamins and minerals; sports blends may add creatine (a different compound from creatinine, which is a waste product). Read the Supplement Facts and ingredient list so you know what else you’re getting.^[2]
What is Non-Organic Protein Powder? Non-organic protein powder is not obtained through organic sources. In other words, it is the regular protein powder available in all supermarkets. This protein powder can be plant-based or animal-based. Features of Non-Organic Protein Powders:

• Flavor Options – Conventional protein powder is not only easily available, it also comes in a lot of flavor options. Flavors range from vanilla and chocolate to fruit. Some use artificial flavors or sweeteners such as sucralose; others use natural flavors or stevia. All of these are regulated food ingredients, and the label tells you which ones are used.
• Protein Content Variety – Protein supplements can offer a range of protein content. Therefore, you can choose the powder that best suits your needs. However, organic protein powders also offer this variety.
• May Cause Digestive Issues – Lactose in whey concentrate, sugar alcohols such as erythritol, and added fibers or gums can cause gas or bloating in some people. Organic powders can contain these too.
• Comparatively Inexpensive – Since conventional protein powders are derived from regularly grown and bred livestock or crops, their price tag is comparatively lower than organic protein powders. This is because the ingredients used are more accessible and cheaper to produce.

For any food to be considered organic, it needs to meet certain standards and requirements. Organically grown crops do not harness the powers of synthetic fertilizers, chemical insecticide or pesticide sprays, etc. Rather, they use natural techniques for effective crop growth, organic fertilizer (manure, compost, etc.), and other such eco-friendly methods. Organic livestock get organic feed, and cattle and other grazing animals must be on pasture for the whole grazing season, at least 120 days a year, getting at least 30 percent of their feed from grazing in that time.^[5] What is Organic Protein Powder? Organic Protein Powder is protein powder derived from organic sources. These sources include animal byproducts such as milk, eggs, casein, and whey. Moreover, plant-sources include Soybean, Rice, Peas, Hemp, Potatoes, etc. A powder labeled “organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients (not counting salt and water); the rest can be approved non-organic ingredients. “Made with organic” means at least 70 percent.^[6] For whey or milk protein, the cows must be raised under organic rules.^[5] Features of Organic Protein Powders:

• Certified Farming and Handling – The organic label means a certifier checked how the ingredients were grown and handled. It’s not a safety or purity test, and it doesn’t check for heavy metals.^[6][3]
• Fewer Synthetic Additives – Organic rules limit synthetic ingredients to a short approved list, so you won’t find sweeteners such as sucralose in a certified organic powder. Up to 5 percent can still be approved non-organic ingredients.^[6]
• Processing – Organic and conventional powders go through similar steps such as filtering and drying. Organic rules limit certain processing aids, but organic doesn’t mean less processed or less likely to be contaminated.
• Pesticides and Farming – Organic farming limits synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. That’s a real difference in how the food is grown, but it doesn’t make the powder more nutritious.
• Not Automatically Gentler on the Stomach – Organic powders can still contain lactose, fiber, gums or sugar alcohols that upset some stomachs. If you’re sensitive, check the ingredient list rather than the organic seal.