'Beast Capacity' Protein Drink... Only 5g of Protein? [Matjjalal X-File]

Exploring 53 Protein Drinks
Highest Total Protein: Ildong Foodis Dark Choco
Top per 100ml: Orion Dr. U Pro Series
Lowest per 100ml: Daesang MyMeal New Protein

Editor's Note[Matjjalal X-file] uncovers misunderstandings and truths about food.

Carbohydrates, fats, proteins... Among the three major nutrients, protein is undoubtedly the hottest topic in the global food industry. From dieters who only ate salads full of greens to elders who said "rice energy is the best," everyone is making sure to consume protein. The era when only muscular health enthusiasts dissolved protein powder is now over.

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As the awareness of the importance of consistent protein intake for a healthy body spreads, RTD (Ready To Drink) protein products that can be purchased and consumed immediately are booming. After searching convenience stores and large supermarket websites, the variety is enormous.

Consumers try to consume even 1g more protein by examining the nutrition labels of the numerous products. However, with so many types and varying volumes, it is not easy to compare. So, we looked into the protein content of RTD products with 'protein' in their names.

In-depth analysis of 53 protein drinks from 11 brands... The protein king is 'Ildong Foodis High-Mune'

The survey covered 53 products from 11 brands including Namyang Dairy Products, Binggrae, Daesang Wellife, Lotte Wellfood, Labnosh, Maeil Dairy, Seoul Milk, Orion, Ildong Foodis, CJ CheilJedang, and CU. The volume, protein content, and protein content per 100ml of these products were compared.

Among the 53 products, the one with the highest protein content was Ildong Foodis's 'High-Mune Protein Balance Active Dark Choco.' It contained 31g of protein in a total volume of 330ml.

Next was CU's private brand product 'Jjanggu Action Mask Protein,' operated by BGF Retail. This product had a total volume of 330ml and contained 30g of protein.

Following that, Labnosh products made the list. Labnosh Protein Drinks in Cookie & Cream, Melon, Strawberry, Banana, Cacao, and Latte flavors contained a total of 27g of protein per 350ml.

Orion ranks first in protein per 100ml... High protein in low volume

Total protein amount is important, but for consumers aiming to efficiently consume protein, protein content per 100ml is also crucial. Otherwise, they might feel full but still lack protein intake.

Among the 53 products, the highest protein per 100ml was Orion's Dr. You Pro Protein Drink in Strawberry, Chocolate, and Banana flavors. This product has a volume of 250ml and contains 24g of protein, which means 9.6g per 100ml.

Another product with over 9g of protein per 100ml was Ildong Foodis's Protein Balance Active Dark Choco, which had 9.39g per 100ml. It has both a high total protein amount and high protein per 100ml, allowing for both satiety and efficient protein intake.

The brand with the lowest protein per 100ml is Daesang MyMeal New Protein... "Designed for two packs consumption from the start"

Let's also look at the product with the lowest protein content per 100ml despite having 'protein' in its name. Daesang Wellife's MyMeal New Protein Original, Deep Choco, and Goat Milk variants contained only 4.7g of protein per 100ml, about half of the previously mentioned products and far below the average of 7.6g.

Daesang Wellife explained that the product was designed to be consumed in two packs, which is why the protein content per 100ml is low. A representative said, "MyMeal New Protein contains carbohydrates and fats in addition to protein and is a balanced protein drink with a 5:5 ratio of animal to plant protein, designed for consumption of two packs."

Additionally, Daesang Wellife's MyMeal Protein All-in-One and MyMeal New Protein Low Sugar Banana recorded 5.26g per 100ml.

Other products with low protein per 100ml include Binggrae's The Protein Balance Original at 5.3g and Namyang Dairy Products' Takefit Pro Flat Peach and Lemon at 5.5g. Although Namyang's products contain a large total protein amount of 25g in a 450ml large volume, the protein content per 100ml is significantly lower.

Namyang Dairy Products stated that this drink has a different purpose compared to typical protein drinks. A representative said, "Takefit Pro is a booster drink concept consumed before exercise, emphasizing not only protein but also caffeine, arginine, minerals, and other ingredients."

The protein drink standard is 250ml, 20g total protein, 8g per 100ml... Turns out it's because of 'taste'?

While investigating the 53 products, a certain pattern emerged for protein drinks: 250ml, 20g total protein, 8g per 100ml. There were 29 products of 250ml, 22 products with 20g total protein, and 16 products with 8g protein per 100ml, making these the most common.

The food industry explains that similar volumes and protein amounts are due to 'recommended amounts.' Adults need about 1g of protein per 1kg of body weight daily, which means 50-80g for an average body. Since consumers consume protein drinks multiple times a day along with three meals, the industry has set an appropriate 'standard rule' considering this.

However, further investigation revealed another reason: 'taste.' Increasing protein content per 100ml intensifies the characteristic fishy taste, limiting how much can be added. Recently, however, advances in technology to suppress this fishy taste have intensified competition among companies to increase protein content. Seoul Milk's Protein Energy series, Namyang Dairy Products' Takefit Max series, and CJ CheilJedang's Vegan Protein series all added 21g, 1g more than 20g.

Consuming excessive protein is not always beneficial. According to the American Heart Association, even healthy protein, if consumed excessively, can cause kidney and digestive problems, dehydration, and weight gain.