Why is Muscle Milk Protein Shake classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The shake combines many isolated ingredients, artificial sweeteners and food‑grade additives, which meets the NOVA 4 criteria. Its additive list includes sucralose, acesulfame potassium, carrageenan, high‑oleic sunflower oil, cellulose gel, tripotassium phosphate, sodium polyphosphate, inulin, and several vitamin and mineral fortifiers.

How does the sugar and salt content in this protein shake affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 0.24 g of sugar and 0.14 g of salt per 100 ml, the shake is low in both nutrients, so it can fit within the limits recommended for diabetes and hypertension. However, the presence of any sugar and salt means it should still be consumed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.

Is the milk protein isolate in this shake a concern for people with dairy allergies?

Yes. Milk protein isolate is listed as an ingredient and the product carries a milk allergen warning, so individuals with dairy allergies should avoid this shake.

Muscle Milk • 14oz

Protein Shake

Beverages

Product Insights

Muscle Milk Protein Shake is a ready-to-drink beverage classified in the Beverages group. It is a NOVA 4 ultra-processed product that contains artificial sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K), several additives, and a milk allergen, which may be concerns for some consumers. Nutritionally, it is low in fat (0.6 g), sugar (0.24 g) and salt (0.14 g) per 100 ml, yet provides a high protein content of about 9.7 g, making it a protein-dense option.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars0 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

It provides about 0.24 g sugar versus the category average of 5.69 g, 0.60 g fat versus 1.04 g, and 0.14 g salt versus 1.06 g per 100 g, while delivering roughly 9.7 g protein compared with 2.8 g.

Ingredients

40G PROTEIN IGRAM 16 VITAMINS 6 GRAMS SUGAR & MINERALS FIBER GREDIENTS: WATER, MILK PROTEIN ISOLATE, CALCIUM ASENATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SODIUM CASEINATE COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), SOLUBLE CORN FIBER NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OL CELLULOSE GEL, INULIN, TRIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, POTASS DILORIDE, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM POLYPHOSPHATE SELLULOSE GUM, SUCRALOSE, CARRAGEENAN, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SALT, ASCORBIC ACID (PRESERVES FRESHNESS UM CITRATE, FERRIC PYROPHOSPHATE, CALCIUM POSPHATE VITAMIN E ACETATE, NIACINAMIDE, ZINC OXIDE COPPER GLUCONATE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, VITAMINA PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN THAMIN MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVINO POTASSIUM VODIDE, CHROMIUM CHLORIDE, BOT COBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12) CONTAINS MILK INGREDIENTS. MODUCED FOR CYTOSPORT, INC. X 48003 CHICAGO, IL 60604 CYTOSPORT, INC. WHERE TO HELP EMILK.COM/GATORADE mortabe ⑪D

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