TikTok is chock full of so-called “life hacks” and the latest fitness trends, but one alleged tip involving “dry scooping” reportedly caused major health issues for at least two users, including one who claims she had a heart attack. So what is this latest gimmick, and can it really cause a heart attack?
If done with extremely high levels of caffeine, yes, says one cardiologist.
Dry scooping could be especially dangerous for those who have undiagnosed heart issues, one cardiologist warned.
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“This fad is similar to the ephedrine craze for weight loss that is now banned,” Dr. Satjit Bhusri, cardiologist and founder of Upper East Side Cardiology, told Fox News. “The intent behind dry scooping is to allow the performance-enhancing supplements pre-workout to enter the bloodstream faster than the typical pre-workout drink.”
Rather than mixing the powder into a diluted drink of either milk or water, the TikTok fad sees users swallow the powder dry and then chase it with a liquid.
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“By dry scooping, absorption begins directly through the membranes in your mouth and continues through your esophagus and into your stomach,” Bhusri explained. “As pure dry powder, there is no dilution and the fast entry into your bloodstream results in an immediate release of supplements. Of those, it is the incredibly high dose of caffeine that enters the blood very rapidly. This,…
