ConsumerLab tests products in booming nutrition drink market — most deliver what's promised but extra cholesterol found in some — New report covers drinks and powders for endurance/recovery, body building, meal-replacement and dieting

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — AUGUST 20, 2007 — A new report from ConsumerLab.com finds most nutrition powders, shakes and drinks meet their nutrient claims, but three products — two sports drinks and a meal supplement — contained more cholesterol than claimed. The report provides test results for twenty-two products including those for meal-replacement, sports endurance/recovery, body building and dieting. Drinks are the largest and fastest growing segment of the nutrition market. Sales of sports and energy nutrition drinks alone grew 42% to $7.1 billion in 2005, far exceeding sales of nutrition bars and other sports supplements according to Nutrition Business Journal.

"What sets these products apart from other types of drinks is protein — about 10 to 50 grams per serving," said Tod Cooperman, MD, President of ConsumerLab.com. Adults need about 60 grams of protein per day and more if physically active. "People are increasingly turning to nutritional drinks because they are more convenient than eating meat, eggs, and dairy and generally provide less saturated fat and cholesterol. Our new test results and information can help guide people through the range of choices now available."

The new report is available at www.consumerlab.com/results/nutdrinks.asp and provides results and comparisons for twenty-two products — fourteen selected by ConsumerLab.com and eight that passed ConsumerLab.com's Voluntary Certification Program. Included are products from Atkins, Bodytech (Vitamin Shoppe), Champion Nutrition, Designer Protein, EAS, Endurox, Ensure, Genisoy, GNC, Hammer Nutrition, Lean Body (Labrada Nutrition), Meal-On-The-Go, Naturade, Nature's Plus, New Chapter, Precision Engineered, Puritan's Pride, Reliv, Swanson, Ultragen, and Vitamin World. The report also provides information regarding nutritional requirements and the relative pros and cons of protein obtained from whey, casein, and soy.

Reviews of other popular types of supplements are also available online. Soon to be released are new Product Reviews of B Vitamins, Resveratrol (Red Wine Extract), and Magnesium. Subscription to Consumerlab.com is available online. ConsumerLab.com's new two-volume hardbound guide to buying vitamins and supplements, Health, Harm or Rip-Off, can be ordered online or by calling 800-431-1579.

ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. ConsumerLab.com is affiliated with PharmacyChecker.com an evaluator of online pharmacies. For group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or product testing contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.



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