What are the risks of drinking cola before or after exercise? After intense physical activity, you may experience soreness in your waist, legs, or entire body, feel utterly exhausted, and sometimes crave food and drink intensely. At such moments, might a cold cola become your favorite choice? So, what are the risks of drinking cola before or after exercise?
Before indulging, perhaps you should consider: Is it okay to drink cola during exercise?
Just this year, the World Anti-Doping Agency revealed that any caffeinated drugs or beverages—including cola—will be prohibited.
However, cola contains relatively low caffeine levels. For most people, its stimulating or suppressing effects on the nervous system aren't particularly noticeable unless consumed in large quantities.
But beyond caffeine, cola contains carbon dioxide and phosphoric acid—precisely why it's not recommended as a sports drink.
Sufficient carbon dioxide in beverages kills and inhibits bacteria while evaporating to cool the body, delivering that unbeatable refreshing sensation.Yet the carbon dioxide in cola, while delivering that cool, tingly sensation, also irritates the digestive system. Consuming it before exercise can cause gastrointestinal bloating, potentially leading to abdominal pain during activity.
After exertion, most people experience varying degrees of fatigue and muscle soreness. This stems from the accumulation of acidic substances produced during exercise, which contributes to bodily fatigue.Consuming phosphoric acid-containing cola at this stage exacerbates fatigue by preventing acid-base balance and hindering recovery.
Experts advise avoiding cola at least half an hour before and after exercise. Since workouts cause significant electrolyte loss, replenishing with alkaline electrolyte-rich beverages post-exercise is optimal.