Most people who are athletes or are physically active might have used pre workout supplements. One of the common questions people want to get an answer about is whether pre workout supplements actually make you sweat more. The answer to this question is not so simple and it really depends on a few different factors.
It is important to note that sweating is a normal and necessary bodily function. Sweating helps to regulate body temperature and eliminate toxins from the body. However, some people may sweat more than others due to genetics, health conditions, or certain medications.
So, does pre workout make you sweat more? In this article, we will finally reveal the truth about pre workout supplements and sweating. Keep Reading!!
What is pre workout?
Pre workout supplements are dietary supplements taken before or during workouts to enhance performance, energy, and focus [1, 2].
The most common ingredients in pre workout supplements are caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, arginine, BCAAs, and green tea extract [3].
Many pre workout supplements have a variety of added flavors as well. The ingredients found in pre workout supplements can act as stimulants, resulting in increased energy and alertness.
Why do people use pre workout?
If you’re looking for an extra edge during your workouts, you may want to consider using a pre workout supplement.
Pre workout supplements can provide you with a boost of energy, focus, and motivation, which can help you make the most of your time at the gym.
Additionally, some pre workout supplements contain ingredients that can increase muscular strength and endurance. These ingredients can also reduce fatigue, which can be helpful during long, strenuous workouts [2].
Does pre workout make you sweat more?
When taken correctly, pre workout supplements can give you the extra energy boost to keep you going.
But, does it actually make you sweat more? The answer is yes and no. On the one hand, pre workout supplements do contain stimulants that can increase sweating. On the other hand, the amount of sweat produced will depend on your individual body, health condition, and workout intensity.
In some cases, pre workout supplements can even lead to dehydration due to excessive sweating. Ultimately, it is important to use pre workout supplements responsibly and drink plenty of water during and after your workout.
Ingredients in pre workout supplements that can make you sweat more
A pre workout supplement is a mixture of different ingredients and supplements that are known to boost energy and physical performance. A pre workout supplement might also contain some Thermogenic ingredients that can make you sweat more. Not only that, but some Nitric Oxide Boosters can also be responsible for you sweating more.
Here are 8 common Thermogenic Ingredients & Nitric Oxide Boosters that can make you sweat more.
Thermogenic Ingredients
Thermogenic Ingredients are those ingredients that can help in raising the body’s temperature. Supplements with thermogenic ingredients are known to help with fat burn, boost metabolism, and reduce appetite. But, sometimes they can also result in you sweating more.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the main ingredient in pre workout supplements and is heavily added to them. It can help in boosting metabolism and reducing appetite which helps in burning more fat.
Caffeine is a common thermogenic ingredient for which studies state that it can increase sweating [4]. The two ways in which caffeine is known to increase sweating by thermogenesis and sudomotor activity.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is another thermogenic ingredient that is added to pre workout supplements as it stimulates energy expenditure and has a good amount of energy in itself. Studies have stated that capsaicin stimulates thermogenesis by energy expenditure [5].
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is another common thermogenic ingredient. Studies have shown that green tea extract contains caffeine which is generally the reason for its thermogenic effect. A study has reported that green tea extract stimulates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis which can be a greater reason for its thermogenic effect [6Outlaw JJ, Wilborn CD, Smith-Ryan AE, Hayward SE, Urbina SL, Taylor LW, Foster CA. Acute effects of a commercially-available pre-workout supplement on markers of training: a double-blind study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014 Aug 15;11:40. doi: 10.1186/s12970-014-0040-0. PMID: 25302053; PMCID: PMC4190923.].
Yohimbe
Yohimbe is a dietary ingredient in pre workout supplements that are made from the bark of an African evergreen tree [7]. It is another thermogenic ingredient. Yohimbe is mainly taken with the aim to burn fat but currently, there is not enough research to prove whether Yohimbe is really effective for weight loss.
Garcinia Cambogia
Garcinia Cambogia extract is a fruit extract commonly added to a pre workout supplement. It is a thermogenic ingredient and is mainly used to help with weight loss. Evidence suggests that garcinia cambogia can help in weight loss in the short term [8]. It is also known to increase metabolism to some extent.
Pepper Extracts
Pepper Extracts are also common ingredients in a pre workout supplement. They contain capsaicinoids that are known to speed up metabolism [9]. It is also a thermogenic ingredient that can cause you to sweat more.
Nitric Oxide Boosters
Nitric oxide is a substance found in the body that causes the dilation of blood vessels and stimulates the production of hormones like insulin & human growth hormone.
Nitric oxide boosters are added in pre workout supplements as they improve workout performance and intensity which can thus, lead to you sweating more.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid that your body can itself produce. It is generally added in pre workout supplements as it can reduce fatigue and help improve athletic and physical performance [10].
L-citrulline
L-citrulline is naturally produced by the body and can also be found in fruits like watermelons. L-citrulline is converted by our body into L-arginine, which is another amino acid [11]. It helps our body in making specific proteins, improves blood flow, and also reduces blood pressure. It is considered helpful in pre workout supplements as it can boost energy and recovery.
Also Read: Does pre workout break a fast? Can you take it while fasting?
Is it dangerous to sweat more while working out?
Excessive sweating caused by pre workout is unlikely to be dangerous. Sweating is a natural phenomenon and if you are sweating more while working out there is no need to be worried.
You need to just make sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated. It’s important to drink enough water throughout the day as it can help you with your workout performance as well.
The benefits of pre workout
As discussed above, pre workout supplements can provide an extra boost of energy and focus when taken correctly. Many people have also reported improved workout performance, strength, and endurance while taking pre workout supplements. However, it is important to remember that pre workout supplements should only be taken when necessary and in moderation.
The drawbacks of pre workout
While pre workout supplements can be beneficial, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects. Many pre workout supplements contain large amounts of caffeine, which can lead to jitteriness, headaches, and insomnia [12].
Additionally, some pre workout supplements may Increase blood pressure and body temperature. In some rare cases, pre workout supplements can also result in nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.
If you’re interested in using a pre workout supplement, be sure to do your research. There are a variety of different supplements in the market, and not all of them are created equally.
Some supplement brands use high-quality ingredients that are backed by science, while other brands use lower-quality ingredients that may not be effective. Additionally, it’s important to read the label of any supplement you’re considering to use it.
The Conclusion
Pre workout supplements can provide an extra boost of energy and focus. However, it is important to note that pre workout supplements may or may not make you sweat more.
Sweating is a normal and necessary bodily function, and it will depend on your individual body chemistry and health condition. Pre workout might make you sweat more because of certain ingredients and stimulants that are mixed in the pre workout. Also, pre workout supplements help in increasing workout intensity which can also be a reason for sweating more.
Pre workout supplements are very much beneficial but, they can also have some adverse side effects, so it is important to use them responsibly and drink enough water before, during, and after your workout.
References
- Outlaw JJ, Wilborn CD, Smith-Ryan AE, Hayward SE, Urbina SL, Taylor LW, Foster CA. Acute effects of a commercially-available pre-workout supplement on markers of training: a double-blind study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014 Aug 15;11:40. doi: 10.1186/s12970-014-0040-0. PMID: 25302053; PMCID: PMC4190923.
- Martinez, N., Campbell, B., Franek, M. et al. The effect of acute pre-workout supplementation on power and strength performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 13, 29 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0138-7
- Jagim AR, Harty PS, Camic CL. Common Ingredient Profiles of Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplements. Nutrients. 2019 Jan 24;11(2):254. doi: 10.3390/nu11020254. PMID: 30678328; PMCID: PMC6413194.
- Kim TW, Shin YO, Lee JB, Min YK, Yang HM. Caffeine increases sweating sensitivity via changes in sudomotor activity during physical loading. J Med Food. 2011 Nov;14(11):1448-55. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.1534. Epub 2011 Sep 1. PMID: 21883004.
- Lejeune MP, Kovacs EM, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Effect of capsaicin on substrate oxidation and weight maintenance after modest body-weight loss in human subjects. Br J Nutr. 2003 Sep;90(3):651-59. doi: 10.1079/bjn2003938. PMID: 13129472.
- Choo JJ. Green tea reduces body fat accretion caused by high-fat diet in rats through beta-adrenoceptor activation of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. J Nutr Biochem. 2003 Nov;14(11):671-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2003.08.005. PMID: 14629899.
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yohimbe
- Onakpoya I, Hung SK, Perry R, Wider B, Ernst E. The Use of Garcinia Extract (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Weight loss Supplement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials. J Obes. 2011;2011:509038. doi: 10.1155/2011/509038. Epub 2010 Dec 14. PMID: 21197150; PMCID: PMC3010674.
- Rogers J, Urbina SL, Taylor LW, Wilborn CD, Purpura M, Jäger R, Juturu V. Capsaicinoids supplementation decreases percent body fat and fat mass: adjustment using covariates in a post hoc analysis. BMC Obes. 2018 Aug 13;5:22. doi: 10.1186/s40608-018-0197-1. PMID: 30123516; PMCID: PMC6088424.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1222/beta-alanine
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1245/l-citrulline
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pre-workout-side-effects
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