Protein powder without sweetener: what is its added value?

Protein shakes are among the most popular dietary supplements in the world. Enthusiastic athletes use protein powder to aid their recovery, but even for beginner athletes, a protein shake can be a convenient addition. Recently, we've seen an increase in the demand for protein powder without sweeteners. But why is that? In this article, we explain why you might consider a protein shake without sweeteners, explore whether sweeteners are really that bad, and discuss our own range of unsweetened whey protein!

What are sweeteners?

Sweeteners are alternatives to sugar and are used in food products to create the same sweet taste. The difference lies in the number of calories. While sugar contains 4 kcal per gram, sweeteners are either calorie-free or provide very few calories. Manufacturers use sweeteners to reduce the calorie content of their products. Think of light versions of products, such as Cola Zero.

We distinguish between artificial and natural sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are made in factories, while natural sweeteners are derived from natural products (like stevia). Another way to categorize sweeteners is by dividing them into polyols and intensive sweeteners.

Intensive sweeteners are much sweeter than sugar but provide no energy. Only a very small amount is needed to achieve the same sweetness as sugar. Polyols (also called extensive sweeteners) are roughly as sweet as sugar. Since they are absorbed less efficiently by your intestines, they provide less energy (about 2.4 kcal per gram).

Recognizing sweeteners on a label

There are over 15 approved sweeteners, making it somewhat tricky to identify whether a supplement contains them. You can recognize sweeteners by names such as:

• Acesulfame-K
• Cyclamate
• Saccharin
• Stevia
• Aspartame
• Advantame
• Neotame
• Xylitol
• Sorbitol
• Isomalt
• Mannitol
• Lactitol
• Erythritol

Why use a protein shake without sweeteners?

We use protein shakes to easily consume extra protein. With a more active lifestyle, your daily protein needs increase. Your body uses this protein for various processes, including muscle recovery. Many protein powders contain sweeteners to enhance the taste. So why would you choose a protein powder without sweeteners?

There are several reasons for this. Some athletes prefer to avoid artificial additives and therefore opt for a supplement that is 'as natural as possible.' A protein powder without sweeteners contains only whey concentrate or isolate and an emulsifier (which helps the protein powder mix well with water).

Another reason to choose an unsweetened protein shake is if you suffer from allergies or sensitivities to certain sweeteners. You may experience symptoms such as headaches or stomach issues. In such cases, it is better to avoid these sweeteners. An example of this is Phenylketonuria (PKU). People with PKU must avoid aspartame because their bodies cannot properly break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in aspartame.

Some athletes prefer to use a protein powder with the highest possible protein content. A protein powder without sweeteners contains fewer additives, which slightly increases the protein content per serving. The protein percentage may be a few percent higher when there are no sweeteners in the protein powder. However, this difference is not very large, and for most of us, it's not necessary to be too strict about this.

Are sweeteners really that bad for you?

The word "sweetener" triggers resistance in many people, especially when discussing artificial sweeteners. These factory-made substances must be bad for you, right? Some people even swear by completely avoiding E-numbers. Artificial substances are thought to be disease-causing and deadly. But what is the real story?

All sweeteners used in food, drinks, and dietary supplements are regulated by the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA). They have concluded that the use of sweeteners is safe, which is why they have been assigned an E-number. This means you can safely use protein powder with sweeteners without worrying about your health.

In recent years, many scientific studies have been conducted on the effects of artificial sweeteners in the body. All of them conclude that there is no negative impact on health. To date, no evidence has been found in humans that normal consumption of sweeteners has an adverse effect on the development of cancer, diabetes, or metabolic disorders.

Who should choose protein powder without sweeteners?

Now that you know sweeteners are safe, especially in the small amounts found in protein powders, you may wonder who would benefit from an unsweetened protein shake. Most people can easily use a whey shake with sweeteners. Consider a whey without sweeteners in the following situations:

• You want to eat as naturally as possible
• You are sensitive to sweeteners
• You don't need flavored protein powder

If you prefer minimally processed foods and try to avoid artificial additives, switching from a regular protein shake to a protein powder without sweeteners is a small step. This helps in consuming less sugar and sweeteners.

A protein powder without sweeteners is also an excellent choice if you're sensitive to certain sweeteners. This helps avoid unpleasant symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and headaches. Of course, this is only a step you should take if you're sure which sweetener you're sensitive to.

Do you not make protein shakes, but like to use protein powder in your recipes to increase your protein intake? In that case, a protein shake without sweeteners is also a good choice. You don't need added flavors since the powder is incorporated into other tasty recipes.

Unsweetened Protein Powder is Usually Tasteless

Would you still like to use a whey protein without sweeteners? Keep in mind that these protein powders often have a neutral flavor. They lack sweetness, making them not very enjoyable to mix with just water and drink. However, you can definitely use unsweetened protein powder in other recipes. For example, mix it into flavored drinks, your bowl of yogurt, or your oatmeal at breakfast. You can also make protein-rich pancakes using tasteless protein powder without sweeteners.

Most of Us Can Enjoy a Sweetened Protein Shake

Protein powder without sweeteners is becoming increasingly popular because it contains fewer ingredients, resulting in a slightly higher protein percentage per 100 grams. This doesn’t mean that sweetened protein powder is bad for you. In principle, we can all enjoy a flavored protein shake without concern, as long as you are not allergic to the (artificial) sweetener used.

The advantage of whey with sweeteners is that it tastes better. You don't have to make an effort to enhance the flavor of your shake. The protein powder is already flavorful on its own, and you only need to mix it with water (or milk). Furthermore, these 'regular' whey shakes are often cheaper than fancy brands that boast about their unsweetened protein powders.

Buying Whey Protein Without Sweeteners at XXL Nutrition

Of course, at XXL Nutrition, we also offer protein powder without sweeteners. For years, we have been a leader in quality and innovation within the sports industry. We focus on top quality with the best ingredients, which you can see in our pure protein powder products. In addition to delicious flavors, we also have neutral versions of the following protein powders, free from artificial sweeteners:

• Whey Isolate
• Perfect Whey Protein
• Night Protien
• Egg Protein

Whey Isolate

If you are a serious athlete and want to maximize your nutritional supplement, or if you are looking for a pure way to meet your protein needs, then Whey Isolate is ideal for you. XXL Nutrition's Whey Isolate has the highest possible purity, resulting in a high protein percentage and a low lactose content. The Neutral Whey Isolate contains only whey protein isolate and emulsifier (sunflower lecithin). The protein percentage is an unprecedented 93%.

Perfect Whey Protein

Perfect Whey Protein is one of our best-selling protein shakes. And this is not without reason: in addition to its delicious flavor, Perfect Whey Protein offers the best price-to-quality ratio. This protein shake contains only the purest form of whey protein concentrate, produced through innovative cold cross-flow microfiltration. The Neutral Perfect Whey Protein contains only whey protein concentrate and soy lecithin. The protein percentage is 78.2%.

Night Protein

Night Protein from XXL Nutrition contains pure micellar casein. No other fillers or protein types, just pure casein protein. The main characteristic of casein protein is its good absorption during the night. With a protein content of no less than 88%, you can provide your muscles with protein throughout the night. The neutral variant is free from aspartame or other sweeteners and has a protein content of 89.1 grams per 100 grams.

Egg Protein

Egg Protein from XXL Nutrition is the result of a high-quality and pure filtration process. During this process, the protein from the egg is isolated, dried, and then processed into a very fine powder (egg albumin). This protein-rich product consists of 100% egg albumin, providing the highest quality amino acids. It can be prepared in just seconds and is available in delicious rich flavors like chocolate and vanilla, as well as a neutral version.