What is Dry Scooping Pre-Workout?
Pre-workout isn’t an unfamiliar term for gym-goers. If you frequent the gym for training sessions, you already know what to do.
Mix a scoop of pre-workout powder with water and down it for improved energy and vigor. While that’s the right way to get your pre-workout intake, a certain trend surfaced called dry scooping.
As its name implies, dry scooping means scooping the powder from the container and eating it directly in powder form without mixing it with water.
It’s usually followed by a sip of water to wash down the powder. While there is more than one way to do this dangerous trend, the above method is the primary way.
This unhealthy dry scooping challenge was made popular on TikTok by teenagers under 18 where they post videos of themselves having pre-workout without water.
What is the reason behind it? Speculations have it that having a concentrated dose of pre-workout leads to more potency with faster and stronger effects.
People who don’t have enough time to mix or those who feel that the ingredients will hit the bloodstream faster usually do dry scooping.
Another theory is that dry scooping might be able to enhance strength and performance by increasing endurance while minimizing fatigue.
But the truth behind that reasoning is shady and more often than not, it leads to potential health hazards. Let’s explore more on the probable risks that dry scooping can cause.
Can dry scooping pre-workout hurt your stomach?
No matter what kind of powder it is, you have a big chance of choking when you swallow. Aspirating powder (powder that can accidentally enter the airways) can cause trouble breathing and aspiration pneumonia.
But dry scooping pre-workout can also hurt your stomach due to high levels of creatine and caffeine in pre-workouts.
As nutritionist Richie Kirwan explains, “The last thing you want going into a heavy training session is to feel like your stomach is being ripped apart from the inside.”
To avoid this pain, it is advisable to dilute the pre-workout with water to let your stomach digest creatine and caffeine without upsetting it.
Pre-workout is a supplement in powdered form that boosts strength and energy. Ingredients vary with different brands but the main is usually caffeine, which is absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.
Overdose of caffeine can result in headaches, insomnia, anxiety, dehydration, and digestive problems. Excessive caffeine doses can lead to potential health risks like seizures, irregular heartbeat, and in extreme cases, even death. Other ingredients include beta-alanine, taurine, creatine, and nitric oxide.
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not encourage children under 12 to have caffeine. For those between 12-18 years, the recommended daily dosage is less than 100 mg.
Pre-workouts have about 300 mg of caffeine per serving. Taurine, which intensifies the effect of caffeine, is also present in pre-workouts. Therefore, the dry scooping trend among adolescents is a risky health hazard.
Why is dry scoop unhealthy?
Dry scooping is associated with more risks than the side effects of caffeine on the body. As per the findings by the National Capital Poison Center, dry scooping pre-workout could become life-threatening. Let’s explore the possible health complications that dry scooping can cause.
Cardiac problems
As is briefed above, excessive and quick consumption of caffeine can lead to cardiac side effects which include chest pain, increased heart rate, tremors, and heart problems.
Caffeine overdose happens when you consume 10 or more grams of caffeine and dry scooping is the speeding ticket to that limit. People with undiagnosed heart conditions are at an increased risk for cardiac complications.
Respiratory problems
Even before caffeine becomes a problem when it gets absorbed in the bloodstream, swallowing powders has a risk in itself, mainly choking.
Dry scooping, as the name suggests, is an act of downing dry and chalky powder that can prove fatal to the throat and lungs, causing choking and difficulty breathing. It can also lead to accidental inhalation when you ingest quickly without water.
Is it better to drink pre-workout with water or milk?
The best combination of pre-workout is with water for several reasons. It is inexpensive, easily available, and has no calories, no sugar, or added additives. On top of that, drinking water is always recommended to prevent dehydration and aid multiple conditions.
On the other hand, some people might prefer milk. Cow’s milk can be good for muscle growth and recovery as they’re a good source of protein, calcium, and carbohydrates.
While it’s not written in the book that you shouldn’t use milk to dilute pre-workout, it’s usually not recommended as its protein and fat content may decelerate the rate of absorption of pre-workouts.
If you want to find an in-between alternative for water and milk, you can go for options like coconut water which is a natural source of electrolytes and has zero fat and cholesterol and low calories.
Another healthy alternative is fruit juice which can boost energy levels with diverse tastes and flavors. But keep a watch on the sugar levels as some fruit juice may have high sugar content. You could dilute it in water for a more balanced flavor.
Dry scooping pre-workout might be able to save you some time as you don’t have to mix it and wait for it to absorb in the liquid before consumption.
Some people might believe that it is a more effective way to get the ingredients in their bloodstream quickly. But if you’ve read through the article, the possible short-term or long-term risks are too much to temporarily cut down the time or force a quick effect which isn’t even certain.
When you practice dry scooping pre-workout, you run the risk of exceeding the recommended limit of caffeine, especially if you’re a regular coffee drinker. This can put you at an increased risk for cardiac and respiratory side effects.
So, why risk your health when there’s a safe and conventional way to get your pre-workout intake? The recommended way to have a pre-workout is to mix them with at least eight ounces of water in a traditional shaker bottle and drink it.
