TikTok is a wonderful place for challenges, hacks, tips and tricks. It’s easy to go onto the platform to view a dance video and then, five hours later, find yourself watching someone make their cat dance to T-Swift. However, amidst all the good, there is content that can cause serious harm. Most notably, the kind of content that promises a quick fix for those looking to shed some weight, increase performance while working out or generally, “improving” their health. The latest of the questionable trends to hit the phone screens of the apps almost 700 million users is something called “dry-scooping pre-workout”.
What is “dry scooping pre-workout”?
First of all, pre-workout refers to supplements taken before a workout. Usually consumed as a powdered drink mix, it is also available as chews, capsules, and canned drinks. It’s taken before a gym/training sesh because it’s said to boost workout performance if consume beforehand. The “dry scooping” TikTok trend involves a whole scoop full of pre-workout powder, consumed as is – without water or any form of dilution – and only then gulping down water.
Why is it dangerous?
Ever heard the phrase: “‘the dose makes the poison”?
There’s a reason why pre-workout supplementary powders or protein powders require you to add water or milk to the mix before consumption. Swiss physician and chemist Paracelsus expressed the basic principle of toxicology: “All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes a thing not a poison.” Pre-workout mixes and protein powders commonly contain ingredients such as carbs, caffeine, amino acids, creatine monohydrate, green tea extract, and/or B vitamins. The powder presents a concentrated amount of these ingredients, which the body is meant to absorb slowly when it’s consumed as a shake or drink. Imagine the effects of taking a scoop full of caffeine – yeah, it’s not going to be great. Case in point: 20-year-old Florida native Briatney Portillo, who suffered a heart attack after attempting the challenge.
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Not to mention the fact that swallowing such a huge amount of powder in one go could potentially lead to choking or breathing difficulties. People with a medical history of respiratory issues – such as asthma or lung issues – could find themselves in serious danger.
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So guys, remember: TikTok trends aren’t all fun and games. Trendings involving consumption, body parts or stunts involving extremities (fire/ice) should not be replicated or attempted. If you should see anyone attempting or noting that they’d like to attempt such a challenge, make sure to do proper research into the dangers of the challenge and warn them against it.
*Cover image credits: TikTok / @karinasantiagoo / @larrygao
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