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Soy Protein Isolate

Level 4Significant concerns

Soy Protein Isolate is a other additive listed in the FDA food-additive database.

Also: SPI, isolated soy protein, textured vegetable protein

Where you'll see it

Lean Cuisine Grilled Chicken, Turkey Twizzlers, Grenade Carb Killa bars (with whey isolate and hydrolysed beef gelatine), 60% of UK processed food, protein bars/shakes

What the research says

Industrial protein fraction made by crushing soybeans, dehydrating, dehulling, hexane-solvent oil extraction, then heating/cooling/dissolving at one pH and precipitating at another. Listed in van Tulleken's final 'quick-fire list of ways UPF harms you': protein isolates 'are absorbed so quickly they may not even reach the part of the gut that sends the fullness signal to the brain. They're not things you have evolved to eat.' [ultra-processed-people] Industrial protein fraction made by crushing soybeans, dehydrating, dehulling, hexane-solvent oil extraction, then heating/cooling/dissolving at one pH and precipitating at another. Listed in van Tulleken's final 'quick-fire list of ways UPF harms you': protein isolates 'are absorbed so quickly they may not even reach the part of the gut that sends the fullness signal to the brain. They're not things you have evolved to eat.'

Regulatory status

  • Notes: From enrichment source only, not in Winter Dictionary

Sources

  • Ultra-Processed People (van Tulleken)Afterword: quick-fire list: Things like protein isolates, refined oils and modified carbohydrates are absorbed so quickly they may not even reach the part of the gut that sends the fullness signal to the brain