Imagine, in pursuit of fleeting internet fame, willingly swallowing raw, potent powder meant for workout enhancement, without a second thought for the potential dangers – this is the stark reality of a bizarre and hazardous new trend surging across TikTok.
In a shockingly reckless bid for TikTok fame, young fitness enthusiasts have begun ‘dry scooping’ – swallowing raw pre-workout powder, an act as dangerous as it is absurd. This stunt, which bypasses the usual step of diluting the powder with water or juice, is essentially a performance for the camera, proving that the drive for likes and followers can eclipse personal safety.
This bizarre trend is the offspring of a similarly perilous TikTok fad that saw users downing spoonfuls of dry spices like cinnamon, a reckless act that landed several participants in the hospital. Yet, despite the known risks, some TikTokers unabashedly endorse dry scooping, insisting that this method saves time and intensifies the ‘pump’ they feel at the gym. Others are simply drawn to the thrill of participating in a viral trend.
While these TikTokers might think they look ‘cool’, the reality is that they’re playing a dangerous game with their health. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate pre-workout powders, meaning the substances these TikTokers are ingesting could contain an array of unidentified ingredients. Some experts have even warned that consuming these powders in their dry form could wreak havoc on the teeth.
The consequences of this trend have already proven severe, with reports of at least one 20-year-old heart attack victim and others who found their windpipes blocked by the powder. As Dr. Saumil Oza, chief of cardiology at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Florida, pointedly commented, “You have to use some common sense,” and urged TikTok users not to simply follow the crowd, especially when their health is at stake.
Pre-workout powders typically contain high levels of caffeine – up to three times as much as found in a cup of coffee. This can drastically increase heart rate and blood pressure, placing immense strain on the heart. Dr. Joy Gelbman, a cardiologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, warned that such a sudden caffeine surge could result in the release of the enzyme troponin, associated with heart attacks.
She further cautioned that such a caffeine spike, in addition to a user’s regular caffeine intake, can cause harmful blood pressure spikes, heart rate irregularities, and even be life-threatening for otherwise healthy individuals.
So, let this serve as a stern warning against the perilous ‘dry scooping’ trend sweeping across social media platforms. The fleeting thrill of viral fame is not worth jeopardizing one’s health for.
WATCH the video below for more details:
https://youtu.be/kHn37UqQguo
Source: AWM