Today’s Solutions: November 21, 2024

A new study led by the Center for Nutraceuticals at the University of Westminster demonstrates how pink drinks can help boost exercise performance compared to clear drinks.

Earlier studies have exhibited how individuals who rinse their mouth with carbohydrates can positively influence exercise performance by reducing the perceived intensity of the exercise, but the researchers of this study (which is the first to explore how drink color impacts exercise performance) wanted to see if rinsing with a pink drink without carbohydrates could have similar benefits through a placebo effect.

The team chose the color pink because of its associated sweetness, which also triggers increased expectations of sugar and carbohydrate consumption. The participants of the study were instructed to run on a treadmill for half an hour at a speed of their choosing. During their run, they rinsed their mouths with low-calorie, artificially sweetened beverages that were either clear or pink. Other than the color, the drinks were identical.

Those who had the pink drink ran an average of 212 meters further than those with the clear drink. The average speed of the pink drink participants increased by 4.4 percent, and they also reported enjoying the run more than their clear dink counterparts.

Though the results are quite interesting, further research would be needed to see whether the placebo effect activates the same reward areas of the brain as actually rinsing with carbohydrates.

In the meantime, the next time you feel like exercising, using a pink-tinted water bottle or choosing a pink electrolyte drink could amp up your workout without you even realizing it.

Source study: Frontiers in Nutrition—Mouth rinsing with a pink non-caloric, the artificially-sweetened solution improves self-paced running performance and feelings of pleasure in habitually active individuals

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Colombia outlaws child marriage in landmark move

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Colombia made a historic move to protect its youngest citizens by prohibiting child marriage. After nearly two decades ...

Read More

5 pre-holiday decluttering tips for a stress-free season

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The holidays have arrived, bringing with them guests, gifts, and bright decorations. But, before you drape your home ...

Read More

You and your roommates make up your house’s microbiome

Here at The Optimist Daily we commonly write articles about the gut microbiome, its importance to our health, and how we can keep it ...

Read More

How to have an affordable Thanksgiving— even while turkey prices soar

It’s true— turkey prices are on the rise this year. Unlike last year's holiday season, when supply chain and labor issues created ingredient shortages, ...

Read More