You've seen it before: someone saunters up to the gym supplement counter, scoops a huge mound of pre-workout powder into their mouth and take a small swig of water to choke it down. This dangerous new trend is called "dry scooping," Healthcare providers warn against doing it, especially for children or adolescents who may be doing it for the first time.
Dry scooping may cause accidental overdose and many other health problems, including irritating your throat, discomfort and bleeding, esophagus, lung irritation, and heart palpitations. So next time you're at the gym, mix your pre-workout supplement with liquid before consuming it.
Here's what you need to know about dry scooping.
What is Dry Scooping?
It's a latest TikTok trend where gym goers are gulping down their pre-workouts without water, or just a quick sip, OUCH!
Normally, a pre-workout powder like DMoose is meant to be diluted in water and consumed around 30 minutes before working out. The benefit of diluting the powder is that it helps regulate your body's absorption of the product. Additionally, it doesn't upset your stomach as much.
Yes, that's happening, and it's being touted as the best energy shortcut. It's counterintuitive and, needless to say, counterproductive!
Related Article: Pre-Workout Supplements: What They are and the Health Risks Posed By Them
Health Risks of Dry Scooping
It's not hard to fall for the wrong things when you are crazy about something and want to achieve it by hook or crook! Many of us look for shortcuts so we get to our destination easily.
Gymgoers, or fitness enthusiasts, naturally feel inclined to try tricks that offer promising fitness results, and dry scooping is yet another very attractive hook.
But it's one you'd want to stay clear of! Some trends are fun; others are beneficial; dry scooping is not one of them. It's downright dangerous, and something you'd not want anything to do with, and here's why:
Caffeine Overload
Although overdosing is not common, and you may even say it's rare, it's possible and can be extremely dangerous. Most pre-workout supplements contain high amounts of caffeine. Taking too much of these supplements at once can put a lot of unnecessary stress on your heart. How?
Caffeine is a stimulant, and dry scooping floods your system with it in one swallow. With too much stimulation all of a sudden, you can expect increased blood pressure and heart rate and may feel jittery or anxious.
The effects of the caffeine could be equivalent to three cups of coffee, leading to an irregular heartbeat. It could be fatal, too, in extreme cases.
Related Article: 10 Beneficial Ingredients to Look for in Pre Workouts
Lungs Irritation
While it might sound harmless, inhaling pre-workout powder can cause aspiration pneumonia. This is when germs can enter your lungs more easily due to the powder entering your windpipe instead of the esophagus.
The discomfort and cough can become chronic lung disease with continuous dry scooping.
You may think of it as "baker's asthma," - "Baker's asthma" is a phenomenon that affects some people after years of inhaling flour particles.
Choking Hazard
Are you taking in dry powder without any liquids? It's a choking hazard! The powder can cement itself into an unswallowable lump when you drink water after taking dry powder first. This is potentially fatal! And one huge reason why one should never try dry scooping.
If Dry Scooping is So Lethal, Why are People Even Trying It?
Here's why:
It's thrilling and the hottest trend on social media, so spreading like wildfire. Social media trends sometimes catch fire needlessly as people bandwagon mindlessly. Dry scooping is just one of them. It is very famous, for sure but not desirable!
TikTokers claim (with no authority to back their claims) that dry scooping lends instant energy faster than when the powder is mixed with water somehow. This one lures people in who think they can power up instantly with this small change.
While the two factors mentioned above have some attraction, there is one touted benefit that baffles a sound mind, i.e., dry scooping is somehow more convenient than taking your supplements with water. Like fetching a cup of water is inconvenient!
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Does Dry Scooping Work?
According to science, it doesn't! As we have explained above, it’s downright dangerous.
All those benefits that TikTokers are claiming, like instant energy boost and super-fast absorption, are unsupported. There is no authority behind the claims made by the TikTokers, and healthcare professionals are very open about their disregard for dry scooping.
Is Dry Scooping Pre-Workout Bad?
Keeping in view the information given above and keeping in mind research, dry scooping is most definitely a BAD idea. Pre-workout powders are not meant for under-18 athletes and fitness enthusiasts, let alone dry scoping them.
Even if we are not below 18, there is no sane reason behind dry scooping that chalky powder that seems much better with liquid and yields good results.
However, information about dry scooping pre-workout supplements should be distinct from pre-workout powders themselves. Pre-workout supplements are designed to help you feel more energized, focused, and motivated to hit the gym, so you don't find yourself glued to the sofa, searching for new excuses to miss the gym.
They usually contain a mix of caffeine, B vitamins, amino acids, and Creatine to prepare you for a blasting gym session without much effort.
FAQs
1. Can pre-workout have side effects?
Pre-workout supplements are created to give you an extra boost of energy and focus during your workout. However, they can also have some side effects, especially if you're not used to taking them. The most frequent side effects include jitters, anxiety, headaches, and upset stomach.
If you experience any of these side effects, it's best to reduce the pre-workout or stop it altogether. Pre-workout supplements can be beneficial, but it's important to know the potential side effects before taking them.
2. Is pre-workout caffeine safe?
As any coffee lover knows, caffeine can provide a much-needed energy boost. And when it comes to working out, that extra boost can help you reach your fitness goals. However, it's important to be aware of the potential risks of consuming caffeine before exercising.
For example, too much caffeine can cause insomnia, jitters, and stomachaches. So if you're considering using caffeine as a pre-workout supplement, start with a small dose and increase gradually as needed. And always listen to your body — if you start to feel any negative effects, back off on the caffeine and see how you feel.
3. Is pre-workout addictive?
It's not pre-workout itself that's addictive, but the feeling it gives you. Something about that boost of energy, improved focus, and increased strength can make you feel invincible. And when you feel invincible, you're more likely to push yourself harder than ever before.
The problem is this mindset can be addictive. You become so focused on the benefits of pre-workout that you forget about the risks. You start using it more and more frequently until it becomes a crutch.
This can lead to dependence and, eventually, addiction. So while pre-workout may not be addictive, it's important to be mindful of how you use it. Otherwise, you could be caught in a cycle of excessive use and dependency.
4. Can Pre-workout cause you to gain weight?
Can pre-workout cause you to gain weight? It's a common question among fitness enthusiasts, and the answer may surprise you. Pre-workout supplements are meant to give you an extra energy boost before your workout, but they're not typically associated with weight gain.
Most pre-workout supplements contain very few calories, so it's unlikely they would contribute to weight gain. However, you may see a slight increase in water weight if your pre-workout supplement contains Creatine. Creatine is a compound that helps store muscle energy, which can cause your body to retain water.
As a result, you may see a 1.2% increase in water weight after taking a creatine-based pre-workout supplement. However, this additional water weight is not typically considered to be harmful and will generally dissipate within a few days. If you're wondering whether pre-workout can cause you to gain weight, the answer is probably not.
However, you may see a slight increase in water retention if your pre-workout supplement contains Creatine. Thanks for reading!
The Final Word
Dry scooping is a popular way to take pre-workout, but it's not without its risks. Some of the alleged benefits of dry scooping include improved absorption and decreased chance of stomach upset. However, some health risks are associated with the practice, including throat and esophageal irritation.
Additionally, there is no evidence to suggest that dry scooping works better than other methods of taking pre-workout. If you choose to dry scoop, be aware of the potential side effects and start with a small amount to see how your body reacts. Have you tried dry scooping? What were your experiences?
