Sports and family physician Mohamed Fares Ben Hadid has warned against a growing fitness trend known as dry scooping, increasingly adopted by both amateur and professional athletes without fully understanding its health risks.
Speaking to Tunisie Numérique, the specialist explained that dry scooping involves consuming pre-workout supplements in powder form without mixing them with water or any other liquid, a practice that can have serious consequences.
According to Dr. Ben Hadid, this method significantly increases the risk of choking, as the powder may be accidentally inhaled and enter the airways. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia, a serious condition caused by inhaling dry substances into the lungs.
He also highlighted the risk of esophageal irritation or narrowing, which may result in difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and persistent digestive disorders. In addition, the high concentration of caffeine and stimulants in pre-workout supplements consumed this way can trigger high blood pressure, particularly in people with chronic health conditions.
Other possible side effects include heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, agitation, and excessive stimulation of the body, further increasing health risks.
In light of this trend, the physician called for responsible and supervised use of dietary supplements, stressing that these products should always be taken in accordance with medical advice and manufacturers’ guidelines.
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