“Dry Scooping:” The Deadly And Dangerous Fitness Trend On TikTok That Is Growing Out Of Control

The following report is from Study Finds:

From Tide PODS to planking, the internet has certainly seen its fair share of “challenges” over the past decade or so. Now, a new study is ringing the alarm bell about a troubling new online trend involving powdered pre-workout beverages. Researchers say the “dry-scooping” challenge, which has amassed over eight million views on TikTok alone, is potentially deadly.

Powdered pre-workout beverages containing tons of caffeine and other additives are intended to be mixed with water and then consumed. This dry-scooping phenomenon challenges online users to place a scoop of undiluted powder into their mouth followed by just a few sips of water. Considering that many pre-workout substances may be unsafe for adolescents, even when people prepare them properly, the idea that millions of teens are viewing this challenge is especially troubling to the researchers.

It can be difficult for physicians to identify novel trends that may pose health hazards among youth. Take for instance the current pervasiveness of pre-workout and the dangerous methods of its consumption. Sometimes investigating unorthodox platforms like TikTok can yield valuable results.

Abstract author Nelson Chow, a Princeton University student and Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Research intern at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, in a media release.

Many Are Not Mixing These Powders With Water

Study authors say anyone who participates in this challenge is putting themselves at serious risk of overconsumption or accidental inhalation of pre-workout powder. Even worse, some of these challenge videos show users mixing the pre-workouts with additional energy drinks or even alcohol.

Researchers selected 100 TikTok videos under the hashtag “#preworkout,” and analyzed each according to number of likes, shares, method of ingestion, number of servings, and any combinations with other substances. Most of the videos involved males (64%), while females (30%) and ambiguous/both (6%) made up the rest. Only eight percent of included videos actually portrayed the right way to prepare a pre-workout beverage and the most common added substances were alcohol, energy drinks, creatine, and protein powder.

Researchers presented their findings at the 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition.

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AUTHOR COMMENTARY

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Proverbs 10:23

I was going to post some videos showing what it looks like, and some of the people that have had serious injury because of it, but the videos are just so fleshly and immodest I’ll spare you. If you are that curious, you can look it up yourself on YouTube to see plenty of fitness YouTubers debunking it and exposing it.

I have known about this stupid trend for a while, and it is only going to get worse.

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

Proverbs 28:2

If this trend continues, and more people get hurt, this will probably lead to more regulation of the supplement industry because these narcissistic Millennials and Gen-Z’ers looking for self-validation on social media, will ruin it for everyone else. This will then force smaller companies trying to get in and make a decent product that is healthy and effective, squeezed out due to more costs, while “Big Supplement” can perpetuate the problem even further.

These trends are the type mischievous and asinine acts people do, that turn so many others away from fitness and staying healthy.

For exercise, you do not need a pre-workout formula. Good hydration, nutritious diet, proper sleep, outdoors in nature, sun; are the recipes for success and fun.

That being said, I’d be a hypocrite if I said I do not supplement with things when I workout. I am by no means an “expert,” but I do know a thing or to about supplementation and things that are effective. I can tell you right now that most pre-workouts are completely useless and offer little benefit, packed full of artificial colors and flavors that are toxic, and the profit margins for many of these companies are HUGE.

I use a custom blend of electrolytes (Potassium, Magnesium, Salt (sodium chloride), Calcium), Chromium, and some amino acids (L-Citrulline, L-Arginine, Taurine), and another one called GABA. I have used and tried plenty of other things, but those are the ones I use the most. You can look into the benefits of each if you are curious. I try to do a daily walk, cycling, jump rope, other physical things throughout the week; but I dedicate a single day once a week to do a very strenuous resistance band (sometimes with actual weights) workout at my house, in a fasted state (do not try that unless you are ready to do so).

But again, you do NOT need a pre-workout or an energy drink to begin with. So many of these fitness trends are stupid and is all for show.

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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

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