Per a new study, high levels of lead and cadmium were found in some protein powders—specifically chocolate varieties. How did they get there?

You may want to reconsider your daily protein smoothie habit. If you're using protein powder as part of a high protein diet, you may want to review your usage. New research from the Clean Label Project found disturbing—and unsafe—levels of lead and cadmium in nearly half of the most popular protein powder products on the market.

Protein powders may contain high levels of lead and cadmium, with chocolate-flavored and plant-based products testing at the highest levels, a new report said.

Lead and cadmium were found in a majority of the protein powders that were tested. There is no safe level of lead, which has been linked to developmental disorders and high blood pressure.

A study conducted by the Clean Label Project found that cadmium and lead were found in many types of protein powders — with organic, plant-based and chocolate-flavored protein powders containing the highest levels of heavy metals.

A new report from the Clean Label Project took a look at the protein powder industry to see exactly what ingredients are included. The results showed t

A total of 160 products from 70 of the top-selling brands, which represent 83% of the protein supplements market, were tested. Organic protein powders were found to contain three