I'm 12 and I want to try protein powder - should I?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. I'm 12 and I want to try protein powder - should I? Image caption, Louis, Otis and Ben all have differing opinions on whether teens should use protein powderByNat WrightHealth reporterPublished28 minutes agoTwelve-year-old Ben is desperate to try protein powder but there's one hurdle: me, his mum. "I've asked about 20 times and you just keep saying no!

", he says, claiming it would make him "fitter and bigger" and that his male friends use it. In recent years, there's been an explosion of products marketed as "high protein", including milk, yoghurt, breads, cereals, bars and powders. Social media is flooded with adverts for various supplements, including protein powder.

The Details

As a health journalist, I'm sceptical and think at Ben's age he must be getting enough protein through his diet. So, do experts think it's safe for pre-teens and teenagers or is a big, juicy steak just as good? Image caption, In recent years, there has been an explosion of products marketed as "high protein"...

however, protein is found in lots of everyday foods, including meat, fish, eggs, dairy, bread, grains and pulsesMy sport-obsessed son, who already eats a healthy balanced diet, asks me about protein powder on a regular basis. His friend Louis, 12, has been using protein powder once or twice a week for nearly a year, after a workout and on top of whole foods. His parents are aware of this.

"I think it's helped, it gives me more energy and it's helped me grow, probably," he says. But Ben's other friend Otis, who is 13, is not keen on the idea and feels there is pressure on young people to take protein supplements. "They might just start using them without thinking about the consequences or what effects it may have on them.

What Experts Say

"Why do we need protein? Proteins break down into amino acids that help the body grow and repair. But your body can't make all the amino acids it needs on its own, so you need to get more - known as essential amino acids - through your diet.

For an adult with a healthy weight, the recommended daily amount of protein you should be eating is 0. 75 grams per kg of body weight, according to the NHS. A good rule of thumb is that the amount of protein you have for each meal should fit into the palm of your hand.

If you exercise a lot, and when you get older, you need more protein so you could have up to 2 grams per kg of body weight. But do teens really need it if they're eating well? Figure caption, Do you really need protein powder to build muscle?

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.