A trend known as the dry scooping craze has swept fitness TikTok, but, as is often the case with the internet, it seems it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
While dry scooping is supposedly intended to give you an extra boost before a workout, in reality there’s a bit more to it than that.
One woman, who posts on TikTok under the username brivtny, shared videos in which she said she ended up having a heart attack after trying it.
So, before you get tempted to try it yourself, here’s what you need to know about dry scooping and whether or not it’s safe.
What is dry scooping?
The dry scooping trend involves people ingesting a scoop of protein powder dry, and just washing the scoop down with a little bit of water.
To be honest, it doesn’t look hugely pleasant.
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Is dry scooping safe?
Protein powder supplements are simply not designed to be ingested this way, and the caffeine content can make doing so risky and uncomfortable.
GP Clinical Lead at EveAdam, Dr Daniel Atkinson, told Metro.co.uk he was ‘quite concerned as a medical professional’ when he learned about the challenge, describing it ‘the latest in a string of dangerous online trends that, to my disbelief, seem to grow in popularity.’
He added that protein supplements should be taken as they were intended in the doses recommended, explaining: ‘Certain pre-workout powders contain lots of caffeine, sometimes extremely high amounts.
‘When you mix the power into a shake, you’ll typically drink it over a few minutes. You wouldn’t consume the whole thing in one go, and you shouldn’t do this.
‘You need to give the body time to absorb what you provide it with.’
Beth Trueman, Fitness Expert at PureGym agrees, telling us: ‘You should always consume supplements and ergogenic aids in line with the product instructions, so dry scooping pre-workout is definitely not recommended.’
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She adds: ‘Consuming such a high dose of caffeine in a short space of time can amplify the physiological response, such as increased heart rate, jitters and gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort.
‘This response will also be dependent on the individual’s caffeine tolerance, so if you don’t regularly consume caffeine, it’s definitely recommended that you avoid high dose caffeine products like pre-workout altogether.’
‘Ingesting a high amount of caffeine in a very short space of time can be problematic and risky,’ says Dr Daniel.
‘Consuming too much caffeine can cause several symptoms including dilated pupils, increased urination, dizziness, headaches, dehydration, nausea, pain in the chest and irregular heartbeats or palpitations.
‘The more you consume in one go, the more at risk you will be. This is especially true if you’re of a certain age, or you have a history with heart or chest problems’
On top of that, there’s also a choking hazard.
Beth says: ‘Dry scooping pre-workout also puts you at risk of breathing in the powder, so again, is something people should avoid doing.’
Dr Daniel says: ‘Pre-gym protein powders are often quite fine, like flour. They’re intended to be mixed with something else, like milk or water, as part of a shake.
‘Because of this, there is a very real chance that the powder could clump together when mixing with your saliva.
‘I see no reason why this could not get trapped in the throat and even restrict your air supply. This, for clear reasons, is extremely dangerous.’
He adds: ‘If you suffer with respiratory conditions such as asthma, I would also strictly caution against this “challenge” as you are more at risk.
‘The power, which is very fine, could cause problems for your
airways and for your breathing.’
As if that’s not enough health concerns to be getting on with, Dr Daniel also points out that some of these powders can be pretty acidic, which means putting an undiluted scoop straight into your mouth isn’t good for your oral health.
‘Simply,’ he says, ‘do not do this “challenge”.’
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