Does pre workout break a fast?
If your pre-workout supplement contains any calorie-containing ingredients, it is likely to disrupt your fast.
What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that involves alternating periods of fasting and eating. People choose to fast for various reasons, such as to improve health markers, increase weight loss, or improve mental clarity.
The basic concept of IF involves dividing the day or week into specific fasting and feeding windows. During the fasting window, no calories are consumed and during the feeding window, normal caloric intake occurs.
What Is Pre-Workout?
Pre-workout supplements are designed to enhance physical performance and increase energy levels before exercise. They often contain ingredients like caffeine, B-vitamins, and amino acids. Many people take these supplements to improve their workout results.
The Science of Breaking a Fasted State
A fasted state refers to a prolonged period without consuming caloric food or drinks.
Clinical studies are uncertain about the exact calorie threshold for breaking a fast, but generally, intaking more than 30-50 calories can disrupt a fasted state.
Most pre-workout supplements contain fewer than 30-50 calories per serving, but the amount of calories in a pre-workout can vary depending on its ingredients and additives. This means that pre-workout supplements may potentially break a fasted state.
Does Pre Workout Break a Fast?
Consuming pre-workout supplements during a fast could potentially break the fast, leading to the release of insulin and glucose into the bloodstream. This would stop the body from being in a fasted state. Some research suggests that the ingredients in pre-workout supplements, such as caffeine, can stimulate insulin release, which can break a fast.
How to Tell if Your Pre-Workout Will Break Your Fast?
Check the nutrition information and ingredients list to determine the calorie content of your pre-workout supplement.
Check the calorie count of your pre-workout supplement by looking at the serving size (usually 1-2 scoops). If the calories are in the double digits, your pre-workout may potentially disrupt your fasted state.