When you grab a protein bar, you’re fueling your grind—whether it’s crushing a workout or staying lean. But a recent ProteinFactory.com article (June 11, 2025) exposed a sneaky ingredient in many “healthy” bars: Esterified Propoxylated Glycerol (EPG). This lab-made fat replacer promises creamy texture with fewer calories but delivers a gut-punching downside. Here’s why EPG doesn’t belong in your nutrition—and why Muscle Up Bars is your clean swap.
What Is EPG, Anyway?
EPG is a synthetic fat substitute engineered to mimic the mouthfeel of real fat while slashing calories (0.7 kcal/g vs. 9 kcal/g for natural fats). It’s made by:
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Propoxylation: Combining glycerol with propylene oxide (a petroleum-derived chemical).
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Esterification: Bonding it with fatty acids from oils like soybean or palm.
The result? A fat-like substance that’s barely digested, sliding through your system with minimal calorie absorption. Sounds clever, but there’s a catch.
The Ugly Side of EPG
Since EPG isn’t fully absorbed, it can wreak havoc on your digestive system, especially if you’re eating multiple bars daily (hello, athletes!). The ProteinFactory.com article highlights side effects like:
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Stomach cramps and bloating
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Oily, greasy stools
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Diarrhea and nausea
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Reduced absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
These aren’t just rumors—consumer reports and FDA petition responses confirm them. Trading calories for digestive drama? No thanks.
Which Bars Use EPG?
EPG hides in “low-calorie” or “keto-friendly” bars with creamy textures. The article calls out brands like:
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David Protein Bars (28g protein, 150 calories, EPG-heavy)
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Own Your Hunger Wondersquares
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Defiant Foods Chocolate Bars
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Nick’s Light Ice Cream
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Legendary Foods Sweet Rolls
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Gatsby Chocolate
Check the fine print for “EPG,” “esterified propoxylated glycerol,” or vague terms like “fat replacer.” If it’s there, toss it.
Why Muscle Up Bars Are Different
At Muscle Up Bars, we don’t do chemical shortcuts. Our Peanut Butter (16g protein, 8g sugar) and Chocolate Chip (15g protein, 7g sugar) bars are crafted with:
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USDA-organic sweet potato for natural sweetness
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Grass-fed whey protein for muscle-building power
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Organic nut butters and cacao nibs for real flavor
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No EPG, sugar alcohols, stevia, or artificial fillers
Our 2x protein-to-sugar ratio fuels your gains without gut issues. Made in the USA, we’re all about clean, transparent nutrition—no PhD required.
The EPG Industry Shake-Up
The ProteinFactory.com article notes a bombshell: David Protein acquired Epogee, EPG’s sole manufacturer, in May 2025, cutting off supply to smaller brands like Own Your Hunger and Defiant Foods. This sparked antitrust lawsuits, with competitors claiming David created a monopoly. While the drama unfolds, one thing’s clear: EPG’s no hero for your health.
Choose Clean, Choose Muscle Up
Your training deserves better than synthetic fats. Muscle Up Bars deliver honest nutrition that tastes great and supports your goals. As Alex Rogers at ProteinFactory.com puts it, “Choose clean. Choose honest.” Ready to ditch the EPG experiment? Grab our Cacao + Vanilla flavor and fuel your hustle the right way.
Shop now at MuscleUpBars.com and join the clean nutrition revolution!
#NoJunk #MuscleUpBars