How safe or necessary are protein drinks? Here is some great info from Consumer Reports Studies suggest that younger people use carbohydrates much more efficiently than older adults. Older adults need more protein and use it more efficiently than young adults or children as per a number of recent studies. Some diets are heavy in protein and seem to show very positive health effects, so do we need to supplement with protein drinks and other protein supplements, besides our food intake. Is it safe to add all that protein? Check out this article from Consumer Reports. Some studies may have changed some of today's current ideas, since this article was written in 2010. Health risks of protein drinks You don't need the extra protein or the heavy metals our tests found The promises are enticing. Whether you're looking to shed unwanted pounds, get a quick energy jolt, build muscles, or fight the aging process, protein drinks are being boosted by some supplement makers as a scientifically proven way to quickly achieve your goals. The products, sold as ready-to-drink liquids or powders that you mix with milk, juice, or water to make shakes, attract not just athletes and body-builders but also baby boomers, pregnant women, and teenagers looking for a shortcut to a buff body. Some ads say that protein supplements, in flavors such as strawberry and vanilla cream, can be a nutritious and time-saving snack or meal replacement. Marketing for Energy First Pro Energy Whey Protein Isolate says the protein supplement is "ideal" for pregnant women and growing children, and also offers this promise for aging adults who use it: "You will rarely if ever be sick and you will begin to look and feel years younger." In a testimonial for BSN Lean Dessert Protein Shake, "fitness celebrity" Jennifer Nicole Lee says, "Being a busy mom with 12-hour workdays, I rely upon my Lean Dessert Protein to get adequate amounts of protein without wasting time on creating complex meals ...." Read more