Ingredients We Avoid

Ingredients We Avoid

All Artificial Sweeteners such as:

INGREDIENT WHY WE AVOID IT FOUND IN
Sucralose (E955) Made through selective chlorination of sucrose, sucralose has been found to halve the amount of good bacteria in the gut. It’s also been linked to inflammatory bowel disease. In the USA, a non-profit watchdog group "The Center for Science in the Public Interest", downgraded sucralose from “caution” to “avoid” in 2016. The US Environmental Protection Agency has identified sucralose as an environmental "contaminant of emerging concern". Over 90% of it cannot be broken down by our bodies or waste water treatment facilities, so it enters surface and groundwaters and is continually accumulating in the environment. 99% of protein powders and pre and post workout products
Acesulfame Potassium or Acesulfame K (E950) It has had a range of reported side effects such as nausea and headaches, along with impairment of vital organs such as liver and kidneys. It can also cause mood swings and eyesight problems. It contains methylene chloride which has been linked to cancer of the lungs, liver and pancreas in laboratory animals. Most protein powders, especially mainstream brands such as Gold Standard Whey
Aspartame (E951) Consumption has been linked with an array of side effects. These range from headaches through to tinnitus. While aspartame affects each individual differently, this depends on your own genetics. Aspartame blocks or lowers the level of serotonin within the body, which can cause mood problems. Whilst it is used less today, it is still used in many protein powders

All Artificial Flavours such as:

INGREDIENT WHY WE AVOID IT FOUND IN
Artificial or "Natural" Vanilla Artificial vanilla flavouring relies on a chemical produced compound that mimics the flavour of vanillin. It is created using wastes produced in the paper/wood manufacturing industry. As it is made from wood, it's classified as a "natural" flavouring. Many protein powders where vanilla flavour and vanilla type flavours are used

All Artificial Colours such as:

INGREDIENT WHY WE AVOID IT FOUND IN
Blue #1 Brilliant Blue (E133)

It is derived from coal tar and can’t be digested by the body. In addition, Blue #1 has been linked to ADHD, allergies, and asthma. It’s already banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

 Many pre-workout products and BCAAs such as Xtend where blueberry type flavouring is used
Blue #2 Indigo Carmine (E132) It is an organic salt derived from the natural dye indigo, by a process called sulphonation. It is also used as a pH indicator and a solution is used in urologic surgery. Blue #2 has been linked to food allergies and ADHD. It’s banned in Norway. Many pre-workout products and BCAAs where blueberry type flavouring is used
Red #40 Allura Red (E129) It is derived from either coal tar or petroleum and has been linked to cancers, ADHD, extreme allergies, asthma, and migraines. Several European countries have banned it, including Belgium, Denmark, France and Switzerland. Many protein powders, pre-workouts and BCAAs where fruity or berry type flavours are used
Yellow #5 Tartrazine (E102) It is derived from coal tar and is the number one allergy-causing dye. Allergies range from mild indigestion to severe depression and it is estimated that 360,000 Americans have bad reactions to ingesting it. The European Food Safety Authority has prohibited its use in all Sports Nutrition within the European Union. Many protein powders and pre workouts where fruity, banana or orange type flavouring is used
Yellow #6 Sunset Yellow (E110) It is derived from petroleum and it’s been linked to ADHD, food allergies aswell as also been linked to an exacerbation of asthma. This is another colourant that’s banned in several European countries including Finalnd, Norway and Sweden. It is being phased out of the UK, and the European Union requires warning labels on food containing it. Many pre workouts and BCAA’s where fruity, banana or orange type flavouring is used

All Gums such as:

INGREDIENT WHY WE AVOID IT FOUND IN
Xanthan Gum (E415)

Used as a thickening agent and touted as gluten free, it's often made up of a glucose solution made from wheat or corn starch which can irritate the digestive system. Regardless of its source the British Journal of Nutrition stated that xanthan gum can cause “significant increases in stool output, frequency of defecation and flatulence". It has also been shown to impact the bio deversity of the gut microbiome.

 Many protein powders
Guar Gum (E412) The make-up of the guar seed itself has a propensity to form a thick gel when it’s mixed with water which is why it’s used a thickening agent. It can also cause unpleasant symptoms in those with sensitive digestive systems, like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or IBS. Many protein powders

All Stimulants such as:

INGREDIENT WHY WE AVOID IT FOUND IN
Caffeine (Synthetic) Whilst caffeine from naturally occurring sources i.e coffee, does have benefits, this doesn't crossover with synthetic caffeine found in pre workouts. Why? The dopamine increase you initially get from synthetic caffeine consumption downregulates, so that you need caffeine just to regain normal levels. Therefore you become reliant on it to workout normally. It elevates the stress hormones cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) that increase heart rate and blood pressure. It also interferes with GABA metabolism found in both the brain and the gastrointestinal tract. In the brain, GABA plays an important role in regulating mood and stress management. In the gastrointestinal tract, GABA provides a calming effect on the whole system. 99% of pre-workout products

All "Testosterone Boosters" such as:

INGREDIENT WHY WE AVOID IT FOUND IN
Tribulus Terrestris We avoid so called "testosterone boosters" because trying to manipulate hormones can create potential side effects (like acne and mood swings) with no guarantee of benefits. With tribulus terrestris, it may improve libido, but studies have shown that it has no tangible testosterone-boosting properties and no impact on strength, performance or muscle mass. So called "testosterone" boosting products
D-Aspartic Acid D-Aspartic Acid is another so called "testosterone booster" that has failed to prove its effects on increasing testosterone in the body. However it has been shown to cause inflammation to cells of the liver and negatively affecting kidney function which has a negative impact on cholesterol levels. So called "testosterone" boosting products