In case you expertise dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea after consuming a protein shake, it’s possible you’ll wish to rethink the way you embody protein shakes in your eating regimen.
Though there’s no analysis that instantly connects protein shakes to dizziness and nausea, allergic reactions, lactose intolerance, or train could also be inflicting your signs.
You Would possibly Have an Allergy
If a protein shake or powder causes dizziness or nausea, you’ll have a meals allergy.
Many protein shakes and powders comprise frequent allergens, like milk whey, casein, eggs, or soy, in line with Harvard Well being Publishing.
Whereas meals allergy signs range from individual to individual, different signs can embody:
- Hives or pores and skin rashes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue
- Issue respiratory
- Issue swallowing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
In case you have one undiagnosed allergy, it’s possible you’ll be allergic to different allergens present in protein shakes. Switching to a distinct kind of protein shake or powder might relieve disagreeable signs.
In case you’re undecided whether or not you have got any meals allergic reactions, think about seeing an allergy specialist. They’ll check how your physique responds to frequent allergens utilizing a pores and skin prick check or blood check, in line with Cleveland Clinic.
In some circumstances, an allergic response can progress to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening situation. In case you expertise a number of allergy signs or your signs are extreme, search quick medical consideration.
You Might Have Low Blood Sugar
Many protein powders and shakes could be excessive in sugar, which can result in reactive hypoglycemia, in line with Cleveland Clinic.
Reactive hypoglycemia is low blood sugar that may happen after a high-carbohydrate meal. Whereas not totally understood, it might be triggered by easy carbohydrates, like sugars, which may trigger a fast spike after which drop in blood sugar ranges.
Dizziness and nausea are signs of reactive hypoglycemia, which may additionally trigger:
- Shakiness
- Sweating or chills
- Anxiousness and nervousness
- Starvation
- Elevated coronary heart fee
- Fatigue or weak point
- Complications
In case you expertise any of those signs, your physician can check your blood sugar ranges to find out if in case you have reactive hypoglycemia.
You’re Consuming Instantly After Train
Consuming a protein shake too quickly after a exercise may make you’re feeling sick.
In keeping with a evaluation revealed in March 2025 within the Journal of Medical Drugs, your digestive system slows down and gastric emptying is delayed instantly following high-intensity train. This implies something you eat or drink stays in your digestive system longer.
In case you drink a protein shake too shortly after your exercise, it may possibly sit in your abdomen and trigger signs like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
This impact is extra frequent after high-intensity workout routines, like sprints, swimming, or weight lifting.
You Might Be Delicate to Dairy
In keeping with Cleveland Clinic, whey protein present in shakes and powders accommodates lactose, a sugar that comes from milk.
If you’re lactose illiberal, consuming whey protein might trigger signs like nausea, vomiting, and abdomen cramps, in line with Mayo Clinic.
Merchandise containing whey protein isolate could also be a better option if in case you have lactose intolerance. Whey protein isolate is a kind of whey that’s excessive in protein however low in lactose.
Different protein sources to attempt in case you are delicate to dairy embody egg, pea, or rice protein.
