We are aware of the consumption of energy drinks that currently exists in society, but little is known about energy gums. These sports supplements also have a direct impact on gym performance. Maybe it's time to find out if they're really a good pre-workout idea.
It is important to inform us about who they are for, if they really work and if they are recommended for health. We must take into account the possible health risks to avoid scares in the short and long term.
What are energy gums used for?
Although it may seem like a joke, this is a supplement that many use before and after training. Energy gum is also often referred to as caffeine gum. It is designed to ensure mental, physical stimulation and have a burst of energy instantly. Very similar to what energy drinks provide, although we should not confuse them with the properties that energy gels give us.
They assure that they have benefits such as reducing the effect of fatigue or grounding, improving our state of alertness and reaction, having a greater concentration and preventing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. While it is true that it has ingredients such as caffeine and taurine that can limp those benefits a bit.
Allied Market Research carried out a global study of energy chewing gum and they assure that in the year 2023 they will reach 125 million dollars; being fitness a third of its consumers. The energy chewing gum industry is expected to continue to grow thanks to the increase in physical exercise in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, India, Brazil or Australia. They assure that there is a great involvement on the part of athletes and the military.
As we said before, energy supplements are quite dangerous for health, so boasting of numerous benefits can misrepresent the product. There are many awareness campaigns that exist about the danger of taurine and caffeine consumption. So possibly that market will not reach the numbers they expect if society echoes it.
Possible advantages of its consumption
Betting on a sports supplement implies being convinced of the benefits in our physical performance. If you are thinking about whether you should buy them to test their effects, below you can learn all about the positive points of energy gums.
Increase energy levels and speed up your metabolism
Some chewing gum formulas contain, in addition to caffeine, B vitamins. These vitamins help your body manage energy and the nervous system function in several other ways.
Also, the combination of both helps burn fat and carbohydrates, helps you use energy more efficiently and also burn more calories. Naturally, this energy comes from coffee beans, known to improve metabolism by stimulating the organs to work at their maximum capacity. They also have an anti-aging effect thanks to the high levels of antioxidants.
It is the perfect pre-workout
Many athletes take these gums as a supplement before training. It is recommended 10 minutes before a game or training. They ensure that the increase in energy can last up to 5 hours. When you feel like you need more energy, you can always take a piece of gum, although you should keep in mind that the effect of caffeine is different for everyone.
Sports scientists agree that caffeine improves endurance, as found in many different types of research. Some studies showed that cyclists, for example, had a greater range of energy during mass starts and finished with better times in time trials.
Faster caffeine absorption with chewing gum
There is a big difference in absorption time between the caffeine in energy drinks and chewing gum. The caffeine in energy drinks, coffee, and supplements enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract, while the caffeine in energy gums is absorbed into the body. through the mucous membrane of the mouth. When this occurs, the drug (or in this case, the caffeine) bypasses the liver and is therefore not "filtered" from the blood. In this way, approximately 99% of all caffeine is absorbed into the blood within 10 minutes.
Of course, a more rapid rate of caffeine absorption and thus delivery to the circulation with chewing gum should also lead to more rapid biological effects.
Increase your motivation
Athletes and gym lovers know the importance of motivation. Unfortunately, it is not a capacity that is always present, so sometimes there are those who need an extra push to go out and exercise. And energy gum could do it. They can give you that get off the couch and get active feeling, so they also make workouts that much more enjoyable.
Some studies conducted tests in the US military to show that soldiers who took these supplements during extreme fatigue were able to perform their tasks much better.
It is vegan, sugar free and gluten free
Many brands already have their gluten-free versions, so it can be used by people with allergies or intolerance to gluten. There are also vegan models, in which there has been no contact with animals.
You should also pay attention to whether it contains any kind of added sugars, aspartame or acesulfame. These sweeteners can also have negative health effects. In the case of energy drinks, some may experience intestinal problems from those sweeteners.
Energy chewing gums are anti-doping
Since 2004, professional athletes have been allowed to consume unlimited caffeine according to the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Sports supplement brands have been meticulously iso tested for the presence of substances related to doping. Most of the chewing gum that we can find does not pose any risk, however, it is advisable to ask the company or look at the packaging.
Are there risks in energy gum?
The most common complaint people have about caffeinated energy gum is the taste. Most of these products lose flavor quite quickly and what remains is not as appealing. Caffeine and energy ingredients tend to taste bitter, so once the sweetener dissolves, what's left on the palate can be unpleasant. Some brands are better than others and the mint varieties last a bit longer than fruit flavored energy gums.
The other danger of caffeinated gum is ingesting too much caffeine. Varieties that contain more than 50mg per serving could be potentially dangerous for those with a low caffeine tolerance or if the gum gets into the hands of children. Caffeinated gum can be a great alternative to energy drinks, but you have to do it responsibly. Also, don't expect energy gum to last as long as regular gum.