We often get told by people "I really love the idea of protein powder and I really want to add more to my diet but every one I've ever tried makes me bloated and upsets my stomach!"

As the importance of protein for everything from weight management to mental health becomes better understood, many people still struggle to get enough protein in their normal diet and look to protein powders as a supplement.

Unfortunately, so many of us have had bad experiences with protein powder that have caused upset stomachs, bloating, and other digestive issues (author included). This is because most of the protein powders out there are whey based and/or full of added sugars, gums and artificial ingredients that can wreak havoc on gut health. As more and more research is done on the effects of microbiome, one thing is becoming increasingly clear, even small negative changes can lead to large effects that go well beyond the stomach (mental health, skin, sleep, etc).

This is why we at Human Improvement made the cleanest, easiest to digest protein powder that doesn’t cause bloating. It also supports gut health with natural prebiotics and fiber but more on this later.

One serving has almost as much fiber per serving as leading fiber supplements (yes, as much as Metamucil) and is high in prebiotics. We tested hundreds of formulas to come up with the perfect combination of protein and fiber using only the cleanest ingredients that is easy on the gut and also leaves you feeling full longer.

So why is Human Improvement better for your gut?

The answer lies both with what IS in the formula as much as with what ISN’T in it.

First, let’s start with what IS IN Human Improvement and the blend of the gut boosting superfoods that has never been combined before.

Cricket Protein

Cricket protein powder is naturally high in fiber and has a special kind of fiber called chitin. Chitin acts as a prebiotic which means it serves as food for the good bacteria (probiotics) in your gut. 

According to a study, cricket protein powder increased the growth of certain probiotic bacteria by almost 6 times and was also associated with a reduction in inflammatory markers¹ - suggesting that eating cricket may improve gut health and reduce systemic inflammation, two things we are all trying to do!

Learn more about cricket protein powder here.

Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk is a plant that is high in fiber and also acts as a prebiotic. Psyllium is like a sponge, absorbing water as it moves through your intestines to remove waste and cleanse toxins that can weigh you down. It can help promote regularity without any of the unwanted side effects (re: gas). Psyllium Husk is actually the main ingredient in the most well known fiber supplements.

In a study,  psyllium husk helped improve the participants' microbiome by increasing three key types of bacteria that promote gut health and combat inflammation.²

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is another great plant source of fiber. A recent study found that fermentation of flaxseed fibers in the gut may benefit the microbiome in a way that could improve metabolic health and help prevent obesity.³

Now let’s move on to what IS NOT in Human Improvement but you see in lots of other protein powders

No gums, emulsifiers, gut irritants or fillers

Many protein powders use these types of additives for their ability to thicken and while they may improve texture, they can often wreak havoc on your gut. Ingredients like xanthan gum, guar gum, soy lecithin, carrageenan and others can cause inflammation, bloating and other gastric discomfort in some people. 

No whey or dairy

Whey protein powder is the type most people are familiar with and also the type that most people have digestive issues with. Because whey protein is the byproduct of turning milk into cheese, it contains lactose which is hard to digest for many people.

No added sugar, artificial flavors or sweeteners

Many protein powders have added sugar to try to make them taste good but diets high in sugar can cause inflammation and negatively affect the gut microbiome. Meanwhile recent research shows that artificial flavors and sweeteners may also negatively alter the gut microbiome turning healthy gut bacteria into pathogens!⁴

Are you ready to try Human Improvement?

About 75% of Americans struggle with digestive or gut health related issues, so why make things worse by not paying attention to the protein powder you are using. Human Improvement is the only protein to ever combine the three gut boosting superfoods of cricket protein powder, psyllium husk, and flaxseed while also removing all of the gut irritating ingredients found in most other protein powders. Isn’t it time your protein powder started helping your gut health rather than hurting it?

Shop all Human Improvement Protein Powders here.