We realized that being physically fit and conscious about our health is necessary during the pandemic, especially when the entire world is struck with a disease whose cure was months far away. We all have tried to adapt to various measures to help our system protect itself from the deadly virus and stay safe and cozy behind our closed doors.
Since gymnasiums were shut down for months, people working out had to look for alternatives, and they began practicing the routine in their closed spaces. But there have been certain habits that remained the same since before the pandemic hit us.
The intake of pre-workout supplements is an old habit in people who are regular with their physical training and believe that these supplements would help them go through smoothly and apply more force and energy to their fitness regimen. But little did they know that these supplements are doing more harm than good to their health.
Pre-Workout Supplements, or as they are known, Pre-Workouts are some powdered substances consumed by mixing them with water. They are multi-ingredient dietary formulas which help in boosting the performance while practicing physical fitness or workout session.
Different pre-workout supplements involve different formulas or ingredients, but some o them are consistent in all the brands and types, such as; Amino acids, caffeine, artificial sugar, sweeteners, etc.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages to consuming pre-workout supplements that you should know before approaching these dietary supplements next time.
Some Ingredients that are helpful during Workout
Although no study yet can claim that pre-workout supplements are helpful, they have been deemed unnecessary. Still, some ingredients in these supplements could be beneficial in some aspects.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most crucially consumed substance worldwide, known as the stimulant to make one mentally active and alert the entire day in his/her performance. In the case of Caffeine in pre-workout supplements, it acts as a stimulant that boosts energy to increase the account during a workout routine, and an individual stays more active throughout his session.
Caffeine improves a person’s workout and physical performance, but it is also responsible for enhancing memory and burning fat more effectively while indulging in physical fitness activity.
Creatine
Creatine is a chemical compound produced by our body and stored in our skeletal muscle, making energy and increasing muscle strength. Brands involve creatine in their supplement to help people restore more of this compound to build up their muscle strength while exercising.
Creatine is involved in pre-workout supplements, but some supplements only contain it, making it a stand-alone compound. Sources say that weightlifters consume creatine supplements, bodybuilders to increase their muscle mass, strength, exercise performance, and much more.
Nitric Oxide Precursors
Our body naturally produces nitric oxide as one of the chemical compounds, helping to relax our blood vessels and enhance our system’s blood flow. Individual compounds are responsible for making nitric oxide in our body; they include; L-arginine and L-citrulline.
The workout supplements for boosting energy involve these compounds and other dietary sources that have essential nutrients. Sources have mentioned that the supplements of these compounds, which our body naturally produces, help boost oxygen. The necessary nutrients are then transported to our muscles, making our athletic or workout performance even better.
Some pre-workout supplements that are harmful
Although some of the re-workout supplements are beneficial, you cannot ignore their risk due to the ingredients added to them.
Excess Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the stimulants that can actively wake you up and get going to your everyday task. Most of the supplements you consume before going to workout have caffeine in them and affect your system.
The caffeine in your drinks is equivalent to caffeine in 2 cups of coffee, which is extremely expensive. There are chances that you will again rely on another source for caffeine intake in a whole day, which would be coffee.
So the drinks and coffee collectively mean that you had an excess share of your caffeine that could lead to increased blood pressure, sleep disorder, anxiety, etc.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners or what we known as sugar alcohols are one way to add flavor to drinks without increasing any extra calorie that is already involved in it. They might make your drink better in taste, but they are severe discomfort to your system, causing several problems such as gas, bloating hence disrupting your entire workout.
You might want to skip the supplements which have added flavors in the form of sugar alcohol, which can majorly disrupt your system and weakening your workout performance. Moreover, the brands and the quality of these supplements are equally essential as a local brand might contain excessively harmful compounds to your health.
The Conclusion
If pre-workout supplements help you give your best in your physical fitness, there is no need to fear any consequences. Still, it is necessary to know the right amount before you jump to any conclusion. No matter what supplements you intake, whole natural foods are more nutritious than any supplement.
A good sleep, a proper diet, and regular exercising are enough to keep you energized because no study has yet not proven that there is any amount of effectiveness in these supplements. Hence it is best to rely more on natural pre-workout nutritional methods but if you are into supplements try reconsidering the amounts of these supplements.
