“Dry scooping”: this dangerous challenge seen on Tik Tok

Many challenges have flourished in recent years on social networks, including the Birdbox challenge or the Momo challenge, particularly dangerous activities. The latest is the “Dry scooping”, which can be translated as a dry spoonful: it consists of ingesting pure protein powder, sometimes alone or before drinking a few sips of water or even alcohol rather than diluting it directly in water to make a drink, as initially recommended by manufacturers. These powders, which contain amino acids, vitamins and caffeine, are consumed before a sports session to provide energy during training. Proponents of “dry scooping” indicate that consuming powder without dilution would be more effective.

A dedicated study was presented at the Annual Conference of theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics October 9. The authors of this research, which reviews the inappropriate use of pre-workout supplements, fear that this trend is causing many serious health issues. They highlight the popularity of this challenge since these videos have garnered more than 8 million “likes”. For the research, 100 TikTok videos under the hashtag “pre-workout” were analyzed, and it results that only 8% of the videos illustrate use according to the instructions of the protein powder manufacturers. More than 30% practiced the “dry scooping” method.

Dry Scooping Can Cause Serious Heart Problems

Proponents of the technique run a high risk of overuse or accidental inhalation of the powder. One scoop can contain as much caffeine as 5 cups of coffee. This can cause “an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to heart rhythm disturbances”, say the doctors. Last June, a 20-year-old American influencer suffered a heart attack because of this challenge. Moreover, the accidental inhalation of this powder can cause a choking, infection, or even pneumonia.

Another hazard, the list of ingredients which is not transparent enough for powders sold online and whose suppliers are unknown. “Several have been banned for containing substances such as a synthetic amphetamine called DMAA and a stimulant called synephrine” indicates the BBC. “Physicians should be aware of the pervasiveness of dangerous pre-workout drinking methods and the potential for accidental overuse, inhalation and injury” alert the authors of the study. Note that nutrition scientist Bridget Benelam of the British Nutrition Foundation has expressed skepticism about the use of these powders for the general population. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of research on the benefits of these products, although there is some evidence that caffeine can improve athletic performance in some cases. And these studies are usually done on athletes.”