This is why football players spit out liquids during the game
Many professional footballers rinse their mouths with carbohydrate drinks during matches, but little is known about the reasons why they do it and why this happens in the most popular sport in the world, football, writes KosovaPress.
A nutrition expert explained in detail why players do this during an interview with the Swiss media outlet "90min.ch".
"Rinse mouth with carbohydrates can improve performance by activating areas of the brain associated with reward and motivation," explains Zdrojewski, who works as a sports nutritionist for professional athletes, according to the study. KosovaPress.
"When an athlete rinses carbohydrates in their mouth, receptors in the mouth recognize the carbohydrates even without being swallowed," the Brazilian continued.
However, this is only one of many strategies in sports nutrition, and each case must be considered individually. Because solid food intake is very limited during a match or training session, isotonic drinks or gels are recommended.
"Some players may feel heavy if they drink too much fluid or have digestive problems," Zdrojewski points out.
According to the expert, there are certainly footballers who rinse their mouths because having a dry mouth during intense exercise is really unpleasant. However, in many cases, a quick supply of energy and the simultaneous avoidance of stomach problems are the reasons for this behavior.
KosovaPress
