Pre-workout supplements consumed to boost focus and alertness before exercise may be damaging sleep health, according to a new study.
Caffeine Equivalent to 10 Cans of Cola… Double the Risk of Sleeping Five Hours or Less
According to the medical community on Wednesday, researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada recently analyzed the relationship between pre-workout supplement use and sleep duration in adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 30. The study found that those who consumed such products were more than twice as likely to sleep five hours or less per day compared to those who did not.
Pre-workout supplements are taken before exercise and have rapidly spread among gym users, marketed for enhanced focus, alertness, and muscle pump. Representative products include C4, Bang!, and Jack3D.
The problem is that many of these products contain high levels of caffeine. According to researchers, some products contain 90 to 350 milligrams or more of caffeine, up to 10 times the amount in a can of cola (about 35 mg) and more than triple the amount in a regular cup of coffee (about 100 mg).
Kyle Ganson, a University of Toronto professor who led the study, said, "Pre-workout products are rapidly spreading among adolescents and young adults for the purpose of enhancing exercise performance. However, excessive caffeine and stimulant ingredients may cause sleep deprivation."
Growing Adolescents and Evening Gym-Goers Require Special Caution
Sleep deprivation is not limited to mere fatigue. It can lead to a complex range of health problems, including reduced concentration, diminished learning ability, depression, weakened immunity, and weight gain. Particular caution is required for adolescents and those in their early 20s, who are in a stage of active physical and mental development and therefore need sufficient sleep.
The risk is especially high for "evening gym-goers" who exercise late at night. The alerting effects of caffeine can last for several hours, delaying sleep onset and disrupting deep sleep.
"It is advisable to avoid pre-workout products 12 to 14 hours before bedtime," the researchers said. "Young people often perceive these products as simple exercise aid drinks, so accurate information and management are needed."
The study was published in the international academic journal Sleep Epidemiology.
Prevents Fatty Liver and Restores Youth… What Is This Hormone Released During Exercise? [Healthy Time]
