Our ReviewBSNSyntha-6
BSN Syntha-6 looks pretty flash in its iridescent red tub and glitzy metallic label, but is it all show and no go? We decided to take a closer look at Syntha-6 to find out!
BSN (Bio-Engineered Supplements & Nutrition) sell a huge range of powders and protein bars but are best known for the Syntha-6 protein powder. However, the reputation of Syntha-6 is perhaps not so rosy as the tub. This has largely been due to a large number of artificial ingredients. Is this one to avoid? We’ll see!
Ingredients
One scoop includes a decent 22 grams of protein and 15 grams of carbs, of which 1 gram is fiber. A scoop also includes 6 grams of fat. So we wouldn’t call this a low carb/fat product, but it’s by no means high either. However, we did note that it also contains 70mg of cholesterol which is over 20% of your recommended daily intake. Again, this isn’t going to exclude Syntha-6 for us, but we can think of slightly more exciting ways to use up our daily cholesterol allowance.
The protein blend in this product is not a strictly pure whey product and contains many components. We don’t think that’s a bad thing at all! Its protein matrix includes Whey Concentrate, Whey Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Egg Albumin, and Glutamine Peptides. This offers a clever and unique blend with a complete amino acid profile from a variety of sources. With the inclusion of both whey and casein, this offers both a rapidly absorbed protein as well as the casein component which allows for more prolonged slow release protein. This would make it an ideal post-evening workout supplement!
The product also includes a number of beneficial additives such as Tricalcium Phosphate, which is a kind of calcium supplement. Bromelain is included for reduced muscle inflammation. Papain is a digestive enzyme. Polydextrose is an added synthetic fiber. Medium Chained Triglycerides are a low calorie but rapidly absorbing energy source for muscles.
The rest of the additives are stabilizers like Dipotassium Phosphate and Cellulose Gum. Artificial sweeteners included are Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose (otherwise known as Splenda). Soy Lecithin improves flavor and mixability. Depending on the flavor you choose there will also be natural and artificial flavors and colors added.
For those with allergies or intolerance, it should be noted that this product contains Egg, Soy and Wheat.
While there are many additives in this product, it would be irresponsible to say that just because it’s synthetic, that it’s bad for you. For those seeking a more natural product, Syntha-6 might be one to avoid. That said, it would appear that BSN has tried to put some of the best of what science and research can provide into their product to give you that extra boost when it comes to your workout and recovery. We don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing!
Effectiveness
While the protein matrix in Syntha-6 does a decent job of providing your protein hit, in our opinion that it’s not as effective as a pure high-quality whey isolates in most cases.
The exception to this might be evening workouts where you want that quick hit of protein, but then a casein or egg protein to continue on absorbing after the first few hours and into the night. Yes, there are benefits found in egg and casein protein, but in this product, the combination of these come with a fair hit of carbs and fat, not to mention the surprising cholesterol content.
Taste
We tend to prefer chocolate flavors when using protein powders and so selected the chocolate when testing Syntha-6. We picked Chocolate Milkshake and it was definitely among the best flavors we have tried from any brand. Not to mention that it tastes just as great in water as in milk. If you need a powder for your post-gym workout then this would be at the top of our list! Tastes great for protein on the go when access to milk might be a little harder.
Mixability with this product scores a perfect 10 for us! In fact, it mixes so well in water that we found it almost indistinguishable from mixing it in milk. This makes mixing it on the go much easier and with a fantastic smooth texture. No need to take milk to the gym with this powder.
Value
We tend to think this product is a little overpriced when compared with its competition.
It’s not the most expensive product on the market, in fact, it’s a medium-priced product, but the first listed ingredient with this product is whey concentrate. Whey concentrate is the cheapest form. There are several products that are made with the superior whey isolate as the main ingredient, which are cheaper than this product.
Conclusion
We were a little surprised by Syntha-6 and have mixed feelings about it. While our initial response to the massive ingredient list, higher carbs, and fat content was a concern, we found that it wasn’t quite so alarming when looking carefully at what was going into it. Syntha-6 offers a slightly more high-tech approach to your protein supplement with careful thought put into ingredients that not only provide for your protein needs but increased endurance, recovery and reduced muscle inflammation. While not one of our favorite products, it’s a solid product we find to be an especially good option for use after your evening workout.
However, if you are looking for a low carb protein for lean muscle development then we would suggest looking at alternative products such as ISOPURE Low Carb. If you’re looking for a weight loss protein powder, we would certainly suggest looking at an alternative product.
Where to buy?
The protein matrix includes the primary protein components included in this product. These protein sources are listed in order of volume from greatest to least in the product.
This diagram provides the digestion profile for the protein types contained within this product. The chart plots the digestion of the included protein types over an hourly timeframe. All profiles have their advantages depending on your goals. More information regarding digestion and timing can be found in our guides.
The cost indicators provide a relative cost comparison with all protein products. The lower the score the better!
The "Product Cost Indicator" provides the comparative product cost, as a whole.
The "Protein Cost Indicator" provides a comparative cost based on only the protein component. While this can be useful for comparing products excluding fillers, many additional ingredients can provide additional benefits and value.
Note: Products that serve a dual purpose, such as mass gainers and ketogenic powders don't include the "Protein Cost Indicator".
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