Pre-workout Without Water: Is dry scooping safe? (see effects)

When it comes to pre-workout supplements, there are many different opinions on what is the best way to take them.

Some people believe that you should always mix your powder with water, while others think that dry scooping is just as effective.

So, which is the right way to go?

And more importantly, is dry scooping safe?

In this article, I’ll discuss whether taking pre-workout without water, aka dry scooping is a safe practice or not.

By dry scooping, you are dumping in a processed powder that contains artificial sweeteners, creatinine, protein, vitamins, emulsifiers, artificial colorings, and caffeine.

And before I get into the details, doesn’t this ingredient disclaimer help you guess all the acidity this stuff might cause in your stomach?

But this is not all, and the effects could be as detrimental as a heart attack, hypertension, or choking.

So, please keep reading to find out from where it all started and the possible side effects of following this dry scooping trend.

Why do people take pre-workout without water?

Dry scooping the pre-workout powder is a trend that started on TikTok.

Instead of getting into the fuss of making shakes, people who follow this trend take powdered scoops directly and swish them down with a glass of water rather than mixing the two.

People are lured into trying out this trend because they believe more concentrated nutrients hit faster on the body, approximately within 15 minutes.

It saves the time and effort that goes into making shakes. It provides a better serving as the shaker is removed from the equation.

While humans are always tempted into quick fixes, the actual benefit of pre-workouts can only be attained when its nutrients are assimilated and absorbed slowly in the body.

And this is why it is recommended to take them with water 30-60 minutes before workouts.

Doctors have already disapproved of the trend due to the dangers of dry scooping.

Multiple content creators have now started to warn people about the hazards of following this viral TikTok trend as deadly consequences have started to emerge, already.

Continue reading to find out what these harmful effects are.

What happens if you take pre-workout without water?

Concentrated powders may be potentially more harmful than diluted pre-workouts if you are sensitive to specific ingredients or have an underlying condition.

Consuming pre-workouts without water may also reduce the performance and efficacy of ingredients within the body, such as the case with creatinine.

But this is not all; below is the complete list of side effects of dry scooping that I have compiled for you.

1. Respiratory Distress

Guzzling in a dry scoop of pre-workout in one go can make you choke on it or cause breathing difficulties.

The reason might be that the powder can stick to your airways.

According to Dr Albert A. Rizzo, it may also cause coughing, wheezing, and aspiration pneumonia in people with underlying lung diseases such as asthma.

Many TikTokers ended up gagging upon trying to swallow a capful of pre-workout, and you can find one such video on this user’s account.

2. Risk of cardiovascular problems

The concentrated caffeine content of most pre-workout supplements can range from 100 to 350mg per serving, and consuming them in undiluted form may cause its adverse outcomes to become more pronounced.

Ingesting the dry powder without diluting it can lead to abrupt and unregulated absorption of the caffeine and other nutrients in the body.

This ‘energizing caffeine punch’ may cause a rush of certain hormones as it acts on the adrenal glands and Central Nervous System and poses the risk of anxiety, rapid heart rate, tremors, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and even heart attack.

As in the case of one 20-year-old woman, who was rushed to the hospital for a heart attack caused by dry scooping.

3. Brain injury

Another video has been doing rounds in which a TikToker suffered from brain injury and was found unconscious after taking a leap into the dry scooping trend and consuming eight scoops of pre-workout.

The cause might be the caffeine and phenylalanine that might have skyrocketed his blood pressure.

4. Digestive issues

When pre-workouts are consumed dry, they may cause stomachache, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, or other digestive issues.

The main ingredients which define pre-workouts are creatinine and caffeine. And both of these have the potential to increase water retention in the body and cause dehydration.

Creatinine causes fluid retention and pulls water into the muscles to induce muscle building. And consequently, this can lead to less water availability for other organs.

On the other hand, caffeine is a diuretic, and too much of it can cause dehydration, as explained in this article.

Taking pre-workouts without water can cause dehydration and destroy the whole purpose of taking these supplements.

Consuming diluted pre-workouts can also provide hydration to your body, and creatinine will work best when the body is hydrated.

Diluted supplements may also reduce risks associated with caffeine over-consumption.

5. Teeth damage

Another suspected side effect of dry scooping is teeth damage.

By the number of times I have repeated it, you might not ever forget that caffeine is a major constituent of these pre-workouts.

And taking pre-workout without water may strip away the teeth’ enamel and cause staining (because of high caffeine concentration).

Citric Acid is another ingredient in pre-workouts that can make your teeth’ enamel wear off, and the intensity of this effect can increase tenfold due to dry scooping.

FAQs on Pre-workouts without water

Is it OK to dry scoop pre-workout?

No, it is not safe to dry scoop pre-workout. The risks associated with it are many, and the side effects can be quite serious.

From choking on the powder to developing cardiovascular problems or brain injuries, there are numerous risks associated with dry scooping.

And not to forget the fact that you might also damage your teeth by doing so.

So, it is best to stick to the traditional way of consuming pre-workouts – with water. This will help reduce the risks and ensure that you reap all the benefits that these supplements have to offer.

Can dry scooping pre-workout cause a heart attack?

Yes, dry scooping pre-workout can cause a heart attack. The caffeine and other nutrients in the supplements can cause a rush of hormones, which may lead to anxiety, rapid heart rate, tremors, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and even heart attack.

What happens if you take pre-workout without water?

While it is believed by some people that taking pre-workouts without water can enhance the effects of these supplements, this is actually not the case.

Pre-workouts are designed to be taken with water, as this helps to dilute them and reduce the risk of side effects.

When pre-workouts are consumed dry, they may cause stomachache, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, or other issues.

The main ingredients which define pre-workouts are creatinine and caffeine. And both of these have the potential to increase water retention in the body and cause dehydration.

Creatinine causes fluid retention and pulls water into the muscles to induce muscle building. And consequently, this can lead to less water availability for other organs.

Wrap up

In a nutshell, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely when taking pre-workout supplements.

Even though it might seem that diluting the pre-workout powders will tone down their beneficial effects instead, these work best when mixed in water.

Moreover, the concentrated ingredients, especially the caffeine, can overwhelm our systems, leading to undesirable outcomes, especially if you have underlying health conditions.