Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) Review: Does it Work?

Expert rating: stars-icon     By Natalie K (Senior Reviewer) September 30, 2023       Advertising Disclosure

User Rating:

38%

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What is it?

Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) is an organic meal replacement shake made with plant based protein. It has a total of 21 grams of protein and 3 grams of net carbohydrates.

There’s creamychocolate fudge, vanilla bean, and an unsweetened flavor offered. The intended goal of the company is to make the most nutritious and healthy shake available. It’s advised to mix this powder in a shaker cup or blender with water or almond milk. There is only organic ingredients added which are meant to provide a wholesome shake. Our review experts have rated many kinds of weight loss meal replacements and the most effective and healthy is known as 18Shake. This shake has a high amount of quality protein and fiber to suppress appetite for hours. For more information about 18Shake, click on the link provided.

 Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) Ingredients and Side Effects
Organic Pea Protein Organic Brown Rice Protein Organic Chia Seed ORGANIC Hemp Protein Organic Acacia Gum
Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil Organic Inulin Organic Rice Dextrins Organic Rice Bram Extract Organic RosemaryExtract
Organic Erythritol Organic Natural Flavors Sea Salt Monkfruit Extract Organic Guar Gm
Xanthan Gum Organic Stevia

Organic Pea Protein: This legume has a full range of amino acids but it’s lacking in certain necessary aminos which the body needs to regulate itself. This is why this plant based protein is often mixedalongside other kinds of protein; on its own it would not provide the essentialnourishment the body needs to replace an entire meal.

Organic Brown Rice Protein: An easy to digest form of protein which can lead to digestive issues if taken at too large of an amount. It’s known to potentially cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.

Our review experts have analyzed many weight loss shakes with the most effective featured in a list found here.

Organic Chia Seed: This plants extract has protein, fiber, and omega fatty acids. Though the kind of plant based omega fatty acids it provides are not well absorbed by the body.

Organic Hemp Protein: Extracted from the marijuana plant, this non psychoactive protein source has a wide array of amino acids. It’s low in leucine and lysine, both important amino acids which need to be included to help provide sufficient health benefits to the body.

Organic Acacia Gum: Thickener extracted from the acacia tree, it also provides fiber to help suppress appetite. Possible side effects which may result include:

  • Nausea, gas, and bloating.
  • Loose stools, diarrhea, and indigestion.

Organic Erythritol: A sugar alcohol used as an alternative sweetener. It is only partially absorbed by the body andcontainsalmost no calories.

It can promote side effects such as:

  • Indigestion, bloating, and stomach rumbling.
  • Nausea, intestinal gas, and ill feelings.

An issue with this sugar alcohol is that since it does not send a satiating signal to the brain, it’s possible to eat large amounts of this and not feel satisfied. Certain people are more prone to experience symptoms when eating this kind of sweetener. In some cases it can feed bacteria in the gut which can lead to side effects.

Organic Guar Gum: A fiber and thickener that is extracted fromthe guar plant. It is sometimes used as a laxative, and it can cause an expansion in the intestines to mimic fullness.

There are potential health risks as Web MD adds:

“water is important because it reduces the chance of choking or developing a blockage in the intestine”

“High doses of guar gum, or not drinking enough fluid with the dose of guar gum can cause blockage of the esophagus and the intestines”

It may also lead to side effects that include:

  • Diarrhea, gas, and loose stools.
  • Indigestion, stomach pain, and cramps.

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Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) Quality of Ingredients

organic-protein-powder-orgainThere’s only organic ingredients added but there are also cheap ingredients which may cause side effects. The addition of the sugar alcohol erythritol is known to potentially cause digestive issues. Similar effects can be experienced with acacia gum and guar gum.

Many forms of plant based protein are also added which are known to either be low, or completely lacking in certain amino acids. This is why there is a mix of brown rice, pea, hemp, and chai protein. It makes up for the lack of essential amino acids the body needs when replacing a full meal. Otherwise, there’s a possibility for malnourishment.

There’s also a total of 150 calories, while it’s not exceptionally high, it does have more calories than other meal replacements. When losing weight it’s important to limit calories as excess amounts are known to cause weight gain. A list of the top ranked weight loss shakes is available via the link here.

The Price and Quality of  Organic Protein Powder (Orgain)

Direct sales are offered via the official website, a 1 pound canister sells for $24.99 which offers 10 servings. This amounts to a daily cost of $2.49.Since there is plant based protein use, it needs to be mixed with different types of protein in order to attain all the essential amino acids.

The sugar alcohols used may also lead to indigestion and digestive issues. As you’ll see in the “Customer Opinions of Orgain Protein Powder” section, there were also a lot of complaints about side effects and a lack of a good taste.

The overall quality of this shake is poor. There’s no amino acid profile listed to help customers understand if itsprotein is truly effective. Amino acids are as important as the total protein amount. Typically plant based protein is low in important amino acids. So it’s important for customers to be able to examine exactly what this protein powder has to offer.

Discover which meal replacements were rated as the best for weight loss by visiting the link here.

Business of Organic Protein Powder (Orgain)

The name of the company is Orgain, Inc.; their contactinformation is listed as:

Email: [email protected]

Address:  P.O. Box 4918

Irvine, CA 92616

The company was created by a Dr. Andrew Abraham who was a cancer survivor.

A class action lawsuit was filed against the company for claiming that Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) shake is healthy. The suit added how it contains high levels of sugars such as evaporated cane juice. This sweetener is no longer used and instead features stevia, erythritol and monkfruit.

There were also complaints against the company saying how rich in antioxidants this shake is. The lawsuit contended that there is no proof that its antioxidants are potent. It’s unknown if the lawsuit is ongoing but it’s clear the company took note and decided to change their formula.

Customer Opinions of  Organic Protein Powder (Orgain)

Featured below are some direct quotes taken from customer reviews:

“causes A LOT of intestinal gas”

“It’s just awful and uncomfortable! I will never purchase this again”

“had to stop using this product because it was causing me an aftertaste, heartburn, a lot of gas and bloated stomach”

“They must be using the cheapest of the cheap ingredients to fill this tub”

There are a total of 938 critical reviews against this shake. This is a significant amount of unsatisfied users. People often complained about side effects and the fact that the shakes did not taste good. It’s often described as having a fake sweetener taste that was difficult to drink.

Side effects included indigestion, nausea, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and digestive issues.

Click the link provided here for a list of the top ranked weight loss shakes.

How Does Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) Compare?
  • Product Name
  • User Rating
  • Has Good Appetite Suppressant
  • Has Only Natural Components
  • Good Taste
  • Organic Protein Powder (Orgain)
  • 38 /100
Conclusion – Does  Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) Work?

 Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) has a high amount of protein and organic ingredients. While this is good, it’s important to understand what kinds of ingredients are used. This shake relies on plant based protein which is known to be lacking in essential amino acids. There’s also the use of potentially harmful sugar alcohols and thickeners. These ingredients have been shown to potentially cause indigestion, nausea, bloating, and stomach cramps.  There are nearly a thousand negative reviews from users who claim to have suffered from these kinds of issues. People often comment on how the taste is unpleasant to drink.

In researching many kinds of meal replacements our experts have concluded the most effective is 18Shake. It has 5 grams of fiber and 15 grams of appetite suppressing protein. The company also lists the official amino acid profile, which shows it has a well-rounded assortment of amino acids. Customer reviews and testimonials also showcase how this shake is easy to mix, tastes great, suppress appetite for hours, and is easy to use.

18Shake is also made with pure, natural ingredients with no cheap sugar alcohol, stimulants, binders, colors, or preservatives. It’s also made in a GMP certified facility to ensure each batch is made in a clean and safe 3rd party reviewed facility. For more information about 18Shake, click on the link cited here.

29 Responses to Organic Protein Powder (Orgain) Review

Howie says:

I just bought the Orgain vanilla protein shake with probiotic (bacillus subtilis) on sale from Costco. I was suspicious as this is usually not a common bacteria strain used in other probiotics that I’ve been using. Took 2 teaspoons with my banana, flax smoothie in the morning and I had severe bloating within 4 hours and diarrhea with fever 8 hours later.

charlie says:

same hapened to me as the above responder indicates…with (sorry only way to say this) gooey stools which eventually left me weak and lethargic after several weeks of using the orgain product with probiotics.

Ben says:

Banana + Dairy = Gastritis

Gina Bene says:

My son has been using this powder for months and the other day he made a shake and with an hour started complaining of abdominal pain, nausea, and dierrha. So bad he went to the ER. He waited a couple of days made another one and bingo it happened again

Jaycelyn says:

My family started on a big tub of Orgain bought from an organic market. The price was steep, but this week it was on sale. Thinking that for nutritional sake, we started making smoothies to supplement our diets. This drinks gave all of us diarrhea, bloating and even headaches.

We didn’t think at first it was the drink, but another round 3 days later, same thing. I started to lookup the company and its ingredients. No where do they show you the contents for the amino acids, nor do they say where they are made. Their website is plain and only shows the family making the drinks at home using some fruits for the marketing. Where are the factories, farms and organic products they claim? It is a hype of marketing that this company is so successful. Where is the proof that any of this is organic and that it isn’t just some cheap chemicals thrown together to make it taste good. I seriously have my doubts that any of this is organic and let alone, the ingredients that they claim. People please do your research. Just because they are in whole foods and other organic market venues, doesn’t mean they are what they claim.

marlene says:

I had my first ‘shake’ this morning with a half banana in it. When I returned from church, I fell asleep and felt very unwell when I woke up. Slightly sick to my stomach and strange . .I want to return this product to Costco . .

M

Kathy K says:

My comment is similar to Jaycelyn. I bought a large tub of Orgain from an organic store, and been drinking it with soymilk but recently have been feeling sick. So I started doubting one day when I was drinking this and actually decided to look up all the ingredients listed on the tub of Orgain. It says organic this, organic that, and OMG… , everything was organic. I was like how can they make everything organic? What a supply chain to be able to have all those ingredients…. It felt like that they were excessively trying to use the word “organic” anywhere they could put it. Organic hemp, organic oats, organic cane sugar, organic grinder, organic mixers….. Haha, just everything was organic…. So I started to do my research to see about the organic claims they were making. This led me to their website and it was upsetting to see that nowhere do they mention about the specific contents of amino acids nor the vitamins and nutritional data. Not to mention, it doesn’t say where all this stuff is farmed from, and how it is made and where. Only things on the website are all their other products, a family who is juicing from home and owner of the company who also happens to be a doctor who on top of that had cancer. Nowhere mentions the type of cancer. All in all, feels like its all a marketing hype. People do your research. Just because they are selling in Whole Foods, organic stores and everywhere, doesn’t mean they are what they claim to be. Orgain has been misleading people to think this is pure stuff and profiting from the organic market prices. Makes me think that anyone can come up with a product and slap the word organic and all these markets will carry them.

Anonymous says:

Anyone have skin issues with this Orgain organic protein powder? Eczema people…

Karen says:

I am trying to figure this out myself.

Loretta Simckowitz says:

Both myself and a friend of mine had an unexplained rash that was extremely itchy and would leave bruises from the intense scratching.

Kayla says:

Yes my face broke out . very irritated.

Noah says:

The was a amazing shake and easy to digest the main protein was rice, hemp and chia flax seed added. Now that the main protein is pea it makes me incredibly sick and my wife is allergic to peas. This was a meal supplant for us over the past 2 years,we would buy 12 packs up to 3 times a month. So disappointed and upset over the ingredients now including pea. Plenty of vegan pea based protein shakes out there, this was the only one that wasn’t.

Heather says:

This protein definitely gives me gas and bloating and stomach pains ! It’s awful . Don’t purchase only used a few times have to throw away and buy a different protein

Santhi says:

My symptoms were different listed here. I started getting urge to urine and going was painful. I am not why I suddenly got this bladder infection or sensitive bladder after just 1 drink of this. I bought from Costco and disappointed that Costco sold and placed for sale. I plan to take it to Costco to return with complaints. Not sure if it will be taken back. It is 3rd day. I still have overactive bladder but pain is gone. So surprised.

Gab San says:

04/8/2018 3:59pm: Labdoor independent laboratory detected lead levels in Orgain product above levels allowed by California Prop 65. For me I prefer ZERO lead in my organic protein drink. Multiple attempts at contacting Orgain requesting a full refund were met with wrong numbers provided leading to a fax machine, another to “no such number”, and NO REFUND. They were provided with my name, address, and phone number and all I got was “crickets”. That’s not good policy IMHO!

Yuneidis Q says:

I try to take it several times but I get stomach discomfort and a lot of gas, apart from the taste I do not like it, I bough the decadent chocolate and I really feel it too sweet I would say and the taste is like a sweetener, I can’t drink this any more just feel I lose the money!

Kristopher Swinson says:

I survived a period of esophageal stricture on the earlier Orgain formulation.

However, I was unaware of their switch to pea protein–and whatever else they did–I’m guessing around the end of last year.

It took a while, but I isolated a most peculiar lightheadedness to these ridiculous drinks. Now, only a FEW sips induce those symptoms. It may have even brought about a rapid decline and stricture recurrence, since I kept getting violently ill. I wholeheartedly DISrecommend them.

Erika M. Fonerín Mora says:

Wreird, i loved the taste and i did not got sick

Tanya says:

Horrible nausea, vomiting and diarrhea the three times I tried this product. Never again!

Angela says:

I purchased the Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder, Creamy Chocolate Fudge, 2.03 Pound directly from Amazon on another listing. Unfortunately, that particular listing will not allow me to submit a review. I can write it but I cannot submit it. A message pops up literally stating the particular item will not allow reviews. Strange. Perhaps, the item I received was counterfeit or a bad batch but I cannot idely sit iback without “saying” something to warn others to potential unwanted side effects. I have been sick since I started using this product nearly two weeks ago. I have suffered constant stomach pains, gas, intestinal bloat, diarrhea, and fatigue. At first, I believed I had contracted, “stomach flu”. After several days had passed, I started to suspect this product. Today, I researched other reviews who were actually able to post something fairly recently and learned I am not an anomaly. There are other reviewers who are complaining of very similar symptoms. Something is definitely wrong. I have lost some bodyweight due to dehydration from chronic diarrhea.

Terri M says:

Bought it at Costco and didn’t have any problems until the second container. Now, each day have lots of stomach issues same as others have described. I thought only new food introduced to my diet was this powder. Wow, so unhappy.

Stephanie says:

I’ve been trying to pinpoint why my waistline has increased and why I’ve been EXCESSIVELY bloated and constipated the past few days. I’ve been drinking this twice a day for 5 days and I’ve never felt so uncomfortable in my life. Never again.

Grant says:

I been using it for 5 days. 2-2.5 hours after consumption (recommended 2 scoops with almond milk) I felt very odd and and had a continuous headache for the next 8-10 hours. I stopped for 2 days and long behold no migraines/headaches. I then tried again to be sure it was the powder, again, I suffered the same problem. I was drinking 2-3L of water also throughout the day. I will be returning to Costco this week.

Lisa says:

Yep gas, bumps on arms and uncontrollable bladder. So disappointed.
Just going to eat clean! I will learn mother nature has what we need and it doesn’t come in a plastic tub.

Lorinda says:

I drank Vega One protein and greens for a year or so, then went to buy one at Costco, to find that that product was no longer available. Orgain Protein and Superfoods was the closest thing they had, and cheaper than reformulated Vega Protein (no greens). Well, it’s going back to Costco tomorrow! Nothing I read states Orgain is constipating, but I’ve taken it 3 times, and each time, I don’t “go” without a laxative. I waited two days the last time. After purging Orgain from my system, I’m as regular as ever. Maybe the guar gum does something to block the gut? Oh, it tastes awful too, and I’m not one who cares about flavor. I just want a meal replacement for when I’m in a hurry, like gas into the car. No sugar, no “junk,” no exotic superfoods. Just Simple wholesome nutrition on the go. Orgain doesn’t cut it, sorry.

FRANCES ANN HASER says:

I drink a shake everyday and have never had a problem…I’m 72 and feel healthy….I do have certain allergies but stay away from those problems…I LOVE ORGAIN ORGANIC PROTEIN!

Sarah michell says:

I have been drinking organ organic shakes and have developed severe indigestion and dehydration and stomach cramps..I will never drink it again.

Sam Taylor says:

I am appalled to discover Orgain has faced multiple class actions lawsuits for being dishonest about the content of their products. Independent labs show unsafe heavy metals and glyphosate levels (which is linked to cancer and the CEO should know better) in their pea protein.

Certainly not “clean” and misrepresent the “organic” label.

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