Have you ever experienced the nagging effect of a smelling protein shaker? You probably want to know why it stinks.
Regular users of protein shakers would attest to this; there are moments when a disgusting and pungent smell comes from the shaker after extensive use. You won’t even withstand a few seconds of proximity to your sensitive nose.
Most times, this prompts action. Some people try to rush some water through to no avail. Others give up very early and end up making the buy decision, only to find them back in the cyclic conundrum. Replacement seems an ideal solution, but it truly isn’t. Let’s determine why the shaker develops the nasty smell in the first place.
The Moisture in your shaker is attracting bacterium, that’s the source.
As much the designs of most shakers are round and smooth to make bacteria accumulation difficult, it doesn’t root out the problem. A few instances without washing allow accumulation of food supplements along with the inner linings. These are mostly tiny lumps of protein powder residues resultant of imperfect mixing as you formed your shake during the initial stage.
Perhaps you might wonder, what then is the benefit of the round and smooth stainless lining? Well, with regular use of the shaker, exposure to different conditions attracts unnoticed tear and wear. This mostly applies to plastic shakers for their porous feature which often absorbs supplements into its casing. Immoderate and repeated washings or consistent accidental exposure to hard surfaces could perpetuate the tear. Such cases might create visible cracks or thinning in the interior and ultimately act as the breeding ground for bacteria. This then transitions to the foul smell that you experience.
Prolonged storage of unfinished drinks in the shaker
How long do you take to finish up your drink after you’ve opened it and took a few gulps? According to a study from the US National Library of Medicine, foodborne pathogens and other bacteria are able to grow in a number of beverages and that the storage of unfinished beverage in unsuitable conditions, e.g. at room temperature, creates the best environment for the thriving of microorganisms. It’s therefore advisable not to leave your shaker unwashed or holding unfinished shakes inside your travel bag.
Do you wash the shakers mixer/ shaker ball?
The mixer plays a great role in accomplishing the general purpose of every protein shaker, but how regular and to what extent do you wash it?
Given its direct contact with protein powder and other solutes, the mixer retains tiny pecks of these powders along the mixer balls or at the attachment periphery to the shaker’s lid. Since the remains are sometimes hard to conceal, they end accumulating, lump after lump, presenting a very conducive environment for bacterial growth. It is good practice to use a bottle brush so as to reach the deep recesses of the protein shaker.
Not forgetting, some shakers have threading that winds around the mouth to allow interlocking with the top lid. As one enjoys the sip, protein particles remain along the threading and failure to scrub them off equally attracts bacterium. Don’t be worried about the foul smell at the top of your shaker if you never focus on cleaning the upper threading.
Bottom line
The bad smell from your shaker doesn’t originate from anywhere. It lies squarely with the way you use your protein shaker. Do you wash it? How do you wash it? It is important to know that any instance of the foul smell is just but a symptom of a worse conundrum of bacterial growth, and delayed response poses a great health risk. Take care.
