If you are a fitness enthusiast, then most probably, you know the significance a good pre-workout holds. They specifically aim to boost strength and give enough power to the muscle for heavy workouts. Not just that, they also improve focus and overall physical, mental well-being. So yes, without a doubt, they are absolutely worth it!
Mostly, they comprise energizing elements that aim to enhance your overall performance and include several ingredients such as Caffeine, Creatine, Beta-Alanine, L-arginine, Niacin, and various branches of protein that significantly boosts your endurance. But does that mean every Pre-workout in the market is great?
Today, the market is flooded with numerous pre-workouts that contain certain ingredients in abnormal amounts. They bring devastating side effects on a person using it and cause extreme illnesses after abused uses. The most excellent example in this aspect is ESP (Energy Stimulant Pre-Workout) that has been recently banned by the FDA.
In this article, we have clearly discussed in detail the reasons why it has been banned, and the possible effects it had on users. Therefore, it’s a must-read for all!
Pre-workouts provide optimal stimulation during workouts, and this is directly dependent upon the ingredients it contains. In the case of ESP (Energy Stimulant Pre-Workout), it indeed will allow you, with improved athletic performance, maximum energy and explosive strength, and energizing even the most fatigued gym rat.
However, three ingredients dominate the formula and are in high doses in ESP (Energy Stimulant Pre-Workout), namely, beta-alanine, caffeine, and theobromine.
Vitamin B12 (2083 % of the daily value per single scoop)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B3
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Caffeine (500 mg per serving)
Beta-alanine
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Tyrosine
Compounds such as Glycerol Gluconate etc.
Reasons for banning ESP pre-workout
The Massive dose of Caffeine
Although the daily recommended dose of Caffeine ranges from 150 mg to 400mg for the entire day, a single scoop of ESP pre-workout alone comprises approximately 500mg Caffeine. Caffeine is a popular stimulant in all major pre-workouts, but it never crosses about 300mg per serving. On the other hand, in ESP Pre-workout, it’s included in massive quantity, which may bring harmful effects like serious blood-pressure issues, digestive discomforts, and insomnia.
ESP Pre-workout contains certain stimulants such as DMHA, which is most likely to cause allergic reactions in the body. They might not be absorbed by most, as the body isn’t capable of reacting to such immense stimulation. This eventually leads to abnormal reactions.
Severe Side-effects on people who tried it
The people who initially used ESP pre-workout observed and reported horrible side effects, which ultimately lead to ESP pre-workout being banned by the FDA. Exceeding the limit (especially if abused) may give you a boost an additional boost for a temporary period. Still, it certainly brings awful side effects in both the short and long term. The aggressive blend of hyperactive ingredients resulted in drastic side effects, including:
Digestive upsets including Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal infections and Diarrhea were the most embarrassing side effects of taking ESP pre-workouts. It’s the result of being intolerant to a particular ingredient or taking pre-workouts on an empty stomach. It’s also caused when one doesn’t mix enough water with their pre-workout. Apart from these severe vomiting and intoxication were also very common.
Those who took ESP pre-workouts also faced regular headaches, and extreme dehydration. Ingredients’ such as Creatine pulled water from other areas of the body to assist the working muscles. Meanwhile, ingredients such as beta-alanine caused the expansion of blood vessels in one’s body. This expansion of blood vessels, along with dehydration, leads to regular headaches.
Blood pressure issues
Doubtlessly, all pre-workouts increase blood pressure to an extent, especially during intense training such as heavy weight lifting when blood pressure levels are at peaks; however, ESP pre-workout made it reach a whole new extreme. Users observed frightening blood pressures, and it could even be proven fatal for those with cardiac issues if they weren’t able to control it on time.
Due to the high caffeine dosage, it was able to stay in the system for more than 7-8 hours that eventually disturbed their sleep cycle. Those who worked out in the morning kept on constantly feeling uncomfortable and uneasy throughout the day, while others lost good sleep.
Apart from these other symptoms include:
Rapid heartbeat
Dizziness
Shortness of breath and similar symptoms.
For who is/was ESP pre-workouts unsuitable?
Every individual under 18 or elderly must not use it.
Pregnant and nursing women must not use it.
It must not be combined with any other supplement, prescription, or medicine.
People with health issues like high or low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke, cardiac issues, kidney/liver/thyroid disease, seizure disorder, psychiatric issues, and diabetes must avoid it for sure.
People with specific allergies and sensitivity, such as prostate inflammation, definitely need to avoid it.
Conclusion
Doubtlessly pre-workout are loaded with numerous supplements that provide your body with incredible energy levels that every trainer craves! However, it must be comprehended that going over the limit with any ingredient brings various drawbacks. As happened with ESP pre-workout, it eventually got banned.
You can still find various alternatives in the market of premium quality, which will undoubtedly work wonders for you! The popular belief that taking too much of a pre-workout will allow you to have a better workout session is absolutely false, thus no matter what pre-workout you choose, always make sure to never go over the limit. To be honest, Pre-workout wouldn’t double your strength overnight, but with them, you will able to give your 100% to your workouts.
We hope our guide would have been useful to provide you with the necessary details regarding ESP pre-workouts, and why it got banned. Conclusively, we hope now you would be having a clearer idea of what to look in the right pre-workout for you!
