"Americans are currently besotted with protein. It's touted as being good for muscle growth, weight loss, skincare, mental acuity, longevity, and much else besides. It's sold to men, women, children, the elderly- you can even buy protein for your pets. The protein supplement market alone is worth $21 billion and growing-and extra protein is being added to coffee, cereal, pasta, beer, ice cream, and popcorn."
"But as frenzied as we currently are about protein, this is not the first protein boom-or even the second. Protein has been promoted as a charismatic, cure-all nutrient for nearly two centuries. In this episode, with the help of Samantha King and Gavin Weedon, the authors of Protein: The Making of a Nutritional Superstar, we look closely at all our protein crazes and their associated protein products-from beef tea to whey powder-and see what they can tell us about our current protein mania."
Americans are currently besotted with protein. Protein is touted for muscle growth, weight loss, skincare, mental acuity, longevity, and many other benefits. Protein products are marketed to men, women, children, the elderly, and even pets. The protein supplement market alone is worth $21 billion and growing, and extra protein is being added to coffee, cereal, pasta, beer, ice cream, and popcorn. Protein has been promoted as a charismatic, cure-all nutrient for nearly two centuries. Past protein products have ranged from beef tea to whey powder. Historical protein crazes reveal recurring patterns of scientific authority, cultural anxiety about health, and commercial opportunity.
Read at Slate Magazine
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