A narrative review published in the journal Sports Medicine - Open on 16 September 2026 has examined how sports foods such as protein powders, gels, bars and sports drinks are classified under food-processing systems, and what is actually known about their effect on athletes' health. The review, by Sara Forbes and colleagues at Australian Catholic University and Adelaide University, found that most commercial sports foods meet the criteria for "ultra-processed" under the NOVA system commonly used in nutrition research, because of ingredients such as protein isolates, maltodextrins, emulsifiers and flavour enhancers rather than whole-food formulations. The authors reported that no published study has yet measured how aware athletes are that these products fall into the ultra-processed category, and that evidence directly linking sports food consumption to athlete health outcomes is largely absent from the wider literature. The review describes a gap in the evidence rather than a finding either way, and does not claim the products are unsafe.
A classification question, not a safety verdict
The NOVA system classifies foods by the degree and purpose of industrial processing rather than by nutrient content, so a protein shake and a packet of sweets can sit in the same "ultra-processed" category despite very different nutritional roles and intended uses. The review cites survey data showing 95% of Australian athletes used sports foods in the past year, and references a separate, small study of elite basketball players in which a high intake of ultra-processed foods was not associated with reduced fitness but was associated with changes in gut microbiota composition. The authors state that classification methods are inconsistent across the existing research and describe this as an area needing more study, not a resolved question either way.
What this means for your supplement routine
This review does not say sports foods harm health; it says the research needed to answer that question properly has not yet been done. For UK readers who buy protein powder, gels or sports drinks, the practical point is that "ultra-processed" describes how a product is made, not whether it works or is safe, and the review found no evidence tying processed status to worse performance or health outcomes in the studies it examined. Anyone comparing options can browse Perqen's Protein & Sports Nutrition collection to see the range of brands stocked across the catalogue.
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Perqen members get reduced pricing across the whole catalogue, including protein and sports nutrition, for £4.99 a month or £29.99 a year, with no minimum spend required. Full details are on the membership page.
This article reports published news and research and is for information only. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet or medical care, and no product mentioned is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before changing what you take, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescribed medicines.