BSN Syntha-6 Chocolate Milkshake
At a glance
Summary
BSN Syntha-6 Chocolate Milkshake scores 52/100. The protein matrix is genuinely premium — a 6-source blend of whey protein concentrate + isolate, calcium caseinate, micellar casein, milk protein isolate, and egg albumen delivering 22 g protein per serving with both fast and slow-digesting fractions. But the formula is wrapped in a Sunflower Powder composite (sunflower oil + corn syrup solids + sodium caseinate + mono and diglycerides + soy lecithin + tocopherols) and an MCT Powder composite (MCTs + non-fat dry milk + disodium phosphate + silicon dioxide), with polydextrose, natural and artificial flavors, cellulose gum, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium on top. Independent third-party lab testing (Consumer Reports, January 2024) detected only trace heavy metals — lead 0.23 mcg per serving, arsenic 0.20 mcg (2% of NSRL), cadmium and mercury not detected. The formula additives, not contamination, are what hold the score back. Owned by Glanbia Performance Nutrition (same parent as Optimum Nutrition).
Contaminants 4
Source: Consumer Reports January 2024
Lead 0.23 mcg per serving Low
Detected at a low level — within health-based exposure limits set by regulators such as the FDA, EPA, and EFSA, though above trace. Not an acute concern at typical use, but lower is always better for this substance. Treated as a trace finding rather than a contamination flag at this exposure level.
Consumer Reports January 2024 detected 0.23 mcg lead per serving.5 mcg/day.
Cadmium not detected Not detected
Not detected — below the laboratory's detection limit. This is the strictest possible result: no measurable amount was found.
Consumer Reports January 2024 reported cadmium below the lab's threshold of detection — no cadmium measurable in this product.
Arsenic 0.2 mcg per serving Trace
A trace amount of arsenic — within the range expected from normal soil uptake/processing and below our concern threshold.
Consumer Reports January 2024 detected 0.2 mcg arsenic per serving.
Mercury not detected Not detected
Not detected — below the laboratory's detection limit. This is the strictest possible result: no measurable amount was found.
Consumer Reports January 2024 reported mercury below the lab's threshold of detection — no mercury measurable in this product.
Key ingredients 16
Whey Protein IsolateVery Good
Higher-purity whey fraction with minimal lactose and fat; faster absorption than concentrate.
See more about Whey Protein Isolate →Micellar CaseinVery Good
Slow-digesting native casein with intact micellar structure; provides a sustained-release amino acid profile that complements the fast-digesting whey fractions.
See more about Micellar Casein →Egg AlbumenVery Good
Egg-white protein providing a complete amino acid profile and an alternative animal-source protein for those wanting diversity beyond dairy. The most bioavailable whole-food protein source by reference standards.
See more about Egg Albumen →Whey Protein ConcentrateGood
Complete dairy protein with high bioavailability and a rich amino acid profile. Retains beneficial bioactive compounds and provides one of the primary protein sources in the matrix.
See more about Whey Protein Concentrate →Calcium CaseinateGood
Slow-digesting casein-derived protein providing sustained amino acid release.
See more about Calcium Caseinate →Milk Protein IsolateGood
Higher-purity milk protein with minimal lactose and fat, providing both whey and casein fractions in their natural ratio.
See more about Milk Protein Isolate →PapainGood
Papaya-derived enzyme that aids protein digestion.
See more about Papain →BromelainGood
Pineapple-derived enzyme that aids protein digestion and may support recovery.
See more about Bromelain →Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali)Neutral
Dutch-processed cocoa has reduced flavanol and antioxidant content compared to natural cocoa.
See more about Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali) →MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide)Neutral
Composite ingredient combining MCT (a beneficial coconut-derived fat) with non-fat dry milk, industrial phosphate, and silica anti-caking agent. The MCT itself is a positive but the composite carrier system adds processed components.
See more about MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide) →PolydextroseNeutral
Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.
See more about Polydextrose →Cellulose GumNeutral
Wood-pulp-derived thickener; inert at typical concentrations but a processed-product marker.
See more about Cellulose Gum →Sunflower Powder (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols)Bad
Composite spray-dried creamer that hides eight ingredients behind one label — refined sunflower oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate, mono and diglycerides (which can contain trans fats not required to be labeled), industrial phosphates, and soy lecithin. Adds processed fat and refined-sugar derivatives in a product otherwise marketed for protein quality.
See more about Sunflower Powder (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols) →Natural and Artificial FlavorsBad
Synthetic chemical compounds with zero transparency on composition and no nutritional value. The 'and artificial' wording confirms artificial flavor presence.
See more about Natural and Artificial Flavors →SucraloseBad
Chlorinated artificial sweetener linked to disruption of gut microbiome, potential insulin response issues, and generation of harmful chlorinated compounds during metabolism.
See more about Sucralose →Acesulfame PotassiumBad
Artificial sweetener (Ace-K) with limited long-term safety data. Often paired with sucralose to mask aftertaste — a double artificial sweetener load.
See more about Acesulfame Potassium →Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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