People often get confused about whether to consume expired pre-workout or not? This is a common mistake that most gym lovers make. They usually consume pre-workout supplements that have passed their expiry and they tend to believe that these supplements are good for them.
Pre-workouts are beneficial for those who are just starting out with fitness and want to build muscle mass quickly. But be careful because some pre-workouts can actually be dangerous to your health. If you are consuming expired pre-workout supplements and you think that they’re good for you, then this article is for you.
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Does pre-workout expire?
As with any other dietary supplement pre-workouts also expires or go bad. Although most people don’t realize it, the majority of supplements sold today are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Even though the FDA doesn’t require supplement manufacturers to list an expiration date, many of them do mention its use-by date. Some companies are more responsible than others, but in general, most supplements don’t expire.
While the use-by date is a useful guide, it’s not always reliable. There are many factors that can affect the potency of a product, such as temperature and humidity where the product has been stored. It is no harm to consume post expired pre-workout unless there is mold or foul smell coming from it. Most pre-workout has natural ingredients and use by date is just a way to measure the effectiveness of these ingredients.
Is expired pre-workout bad?
It is important to understand that pre-workouts do not have an expiry date but a used by date. Most pre-workout ingredients are safe to be used even after they passed the use-by date. However, you need to be careful while consuming any such pre-workout as it may cause you some health issues.
The reason why you shouldn’t use a past date pre-workout is that the product may have gone bad. If you see any signs of mold, then you should throw out the entire bottle. This can make you sick. Moldy pre-workout can cause a bad reaction. You may feel nauseous and experience diarrhea. You may also get a rash on your skin or a headache in the worst case, which can be really uncomfortable.
An expired pre-workout will not be as consistent as it was before. You may be able to see clumps and powder sticking together forming chunks. If your pre-workout has any such sign then check the expiration date of your pre-workout by looking at the bottom of the bottle. The date will be printed on the label. You should throw away the bottle if the date is passed because it could make you sick.
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What happens if you take expired pre-workout supplements?
Expired pre-workout supplements are not good for you. If you consume an expired pre-workout, then you may experience some side effects. This is because it may contain mold and other bacteria that can make you sick.
Some of the common side effects are:
- Insomnia and anxiety
- Upset stomach
- Headache
- Nausea
- High blood pressure
- Itching or tingling sensation
You should always check the expiration date before you consume the pre-workout supplement. If the expiration date has passed, then it is not safe to use. The best thing to do is to throw away the expired pre-workout and get a new one.
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How long does pre-workout last shelf life?
It is important to know that pre-workout has a shelf life. However, you should know that not all pre-workout supplements have the same shelf life. Some pre-workout supplements have a shelf life of one year while some have a shelf life of six months.
Some of the factors that affect the shelf life of pre-workout are:
- Ingredients
- Amount of pre-workout
- Amount of moisture in the pre-workout
- Temperature and humidity of the environment where the pre-workout has been stored
In general, the shelf life of pre-workout is around one year. However, you should check the expiration date of the pre-workout you are consuming.
How to tell if pre-workout is expired?
Expired pre-workout can easily be identified by checking the label of the supplement. The best use by date should be mentioned there. Other than that few signs that your pre-workout is of no use or expired are:
Color change
An expired pre-workout usually looks a little different than the one you buy at the store. It’s because ingredients change their properties and become less effective. Color change usually occurs when the ingredient interacts with other chemicals in the product or due to heat or other environmental factors working against it. Also, it could happen due to the development of mold or bacteria in its packet.
Uneven consistency
An expired pre-workout is not as consistent as the one you buy at the store. This is because the product is no longer as potent. It could be due to a change in the ingredients or a decrease in the quality of the product. You may see clumps and powder sticking together forming chunks.
Taste change
An expired pre-workout has a bad taste. It may have a bad smell or may not taste good. This change in flavor is due to the loss of potency of the product.
Clumpy texture
An expired pre-workout has a clumpy texture. It may look like it has clumps of powder. It is because the product has been exposed to heat or other environmental factors that have changed its consistency.
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Decreased efficiency
An expired pre-workout will not be as effective as it was before. You will not feel the same energy after its consumption. This is because the ingredients in the product have lost their potency or because the product has been exposed to heat or other environmental factors that have affected its performance.
Conclusion
Pre-workouts also have an expiry date after which the supplement is not as effective. However, it is to be noted that consuming an expired pre-workout does not necessarily mean a health hazard. Pre-workouts like any dietary supplement have a use-by date and after which the ingredients are less effective. It is only bad for consumption if it has developed some foul smell, mold, or clumpy texture.