Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Protein Shake Chocolate
At a glance
Summary
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Protein Shake Chocolate scores 32/100. RTD version of the Gold Standard line — milk protein isolate + concentrate + whey concentrate + calcium caseinate at 24 g protein. Formula stacks the worst sweetener load in Batch B: sucralose + acesulfame potassium + carrageenan together, plus refined sunflower oil and processed cellulose gel/gum. Independent third-party lab testing (Consumer Reports, January 2024) detected 0.74 mcg lead per serving. Cadmium 0.85 and arsenic 0.49 mcg also detected. Owned by Glanbia Performance Nutrition.
Contaminants 4
Source: Consumer Reports January 2024
Lead 0.74 mcg per serving Moderate
A moderate level of lead — elevated enough to be a real sourcing concern; cleaner-tested options exist.
Independent third-party testing.
Cadmium 0.85 mcg per serving Low
A low level of cadmium — present but modest; a sourcing-quality note rather than a safety concern at typical intake.
Consumer Reports January 2024 detected 0.85 mcg cadmium per serving.
Arsenic 0.49 mcg per serving Low
A low level of arsenic — present but modest; a sourcing-quality note rather than a safety concern at typical intake.
Consumer Reports January 2024 detected 0.49 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
Sunflower OilVery Bad
Refined seed oil high in inflammatory omega-6 linoleic acid. Adds processed fat with little nutritional value in a protein product.
See more about Sunflower Oil →Natural FlavorsBad
Proprietary flavor blend; can hide dozens of synthetic aroma chemicals and phthalate carriers under FDA trade-secret rules.
See more about Natural Flavors →Potassium Phosphate and Sodium HexametaphosphateBad
Industrial phosphate emulsifiers. Excess phosphate intake from processed foods is associated with cardiovascular and kidney concerns.
See more about Potassium Phosphate and Sodium Hexametaphosphate →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 →CarrageenanBad
Seaweed-derived thickener linked in some studies to gut inflammation.
See more about Carrageenan →Filtered WaterNeutral
Solvent base for the ready-to-drink shake.
See more about Filtered Water →Cocoa (Processed with Alkali)Neutral
Dutch-processed cocoa has reduced flavanol and antioxidant content compared to natural cocoa. Cocoa itself is also a known cadmium accumulator.
See more about Cocoa (Processed with Alkali) →Cellulose Gel and GumNeutral
Wood-pulp-derived thickeners used to maintain shake consistency. Inert and safe at typical concentrations but a processed-product marker.
See more about Cellulose Gel and Gum →Vitamin and Mineral BlendNeutral
Synthetic micronutrient fortification supporting marketing claim of 24 vitamins and minerals.
See more about Vitamin and Mineral Blend →SaltNeutral
Sodium for flavor balance; minimal contribution to total sodium intake.
See more about Salt →Milk Protein IsolateGood
Higher-purity milk protein with minimal lactose and fat; supports muscle recovery.
See more about Milk Protein Isolate →Milk Protein ConcentrateGood
Complete dairy protein providing whey and casein fractions; higher bioavailability than any plant protein.
See more about Milk Protein Concentrate →Whey Protein ConcentrateGood
Fast-digesting whey fraction supporting muscle protein synthesis.
See more about Whey Protein Concentrate →Calcium CaseinateGood
Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.
See more about Calcium Caseinate →Heavy CreamGood
Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.
See more about Heavy Cream →Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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