Organic. It gets used a lot in health food marketing — sometimes meaningfully, sometimes not. When it comes to protein powder specifically, organic certification matters more than most people realise, particularly for anyone with IBS or a sensitive digestive system.
What Organic Actually Means
In the UK, organic certification means ingredients were grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers and without GMOs. For plant ingredients it means the raw material was grown in soil managed to strict standards. Organic certification is overseen by bodies including the Soil Association — products carrying that logo have been independently audited, not just self-declared.
What Non-Organic Protein Powder May Contain
Conventionally grown crops used in non-organic protein powders may carry residues of the pesticides used during production. The most widely studied is glyphosate — the active ingredient in Roundup — used extensively on non-organic grain crops including rice and peas, the two most common plant protein sources.
Research published in Environmental Health has raised questions about glyphosate's effects on gut bacteria composition and intestinal permeability. For people with IBS — who already have compromised gut function — repeatedly exposing the digestive system to pesticide residues in a daily protein supplement is an additional and entirely avoidable burden.
The Additive Problem in Non-Organic Powders
Non-organic protein powders are significantly more likely to contain artificial additives — emulsifiers, flavourings, sweeteners and preservatives — with their own emerging evidence for negative effects on gut microbiome diversity. A 2015 study published in Nature found that common food emulsifiers disrupted gut microbiota in mice and promoted inflammatory bowel conditions.
The gut microbiome plays a central role in IBS. Anything that disrupts its composition is worth avoiding — particularly in a daily supplement consumed consistently over months or years.
The Organic Advantage for IBS Sufferers
For someone managing IBS, choosing an organic protein powder removes a layer of risk that is entirely avoidable. Combined with Low FODMAP certification — which ensures the ingredients themselves don't trigger fermentation — organic certification gives you the most complete picture of ingredient safety available.
That Protein's entire range is made with certified organic plant ingredients. No synthetic pesticide residues. No artificial additives. No hidden triggers. Just clean, organic plant protein your gut can actually handle.
Browse the full certified organic Low FODMAP range at thatprotein.com — free UK delivery on orders over £40.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The research referenced is ongoing and individual responses vary.