So yesterday I went for a run, and felt bone tired and all of my muscles failed to cooperate in any reasonable way, whereas 2 days prior, I had a long run and felt like I could have gone on for another hour. I wondered what the difference was.
This morning I read in Time magazine that energy drinks most likely have no physiological effect on tired muscles. However, it seems that they do have an effect on one's brain.
Researchers had volunteers rince their mouth with one of two things: A sugary energy drink, or an artificially flavored drink. The volunteers did not drink it, just rinsed their mouth with it.
The participants who swished the sugary drink in their mouths, that is, the ones who actually tasted sugar, had activity in the reward and pleasure center of the brain, and the artificial sweetened drinkers did not. (Sorry aspertame & splenda).
Another researcher found that distance runners select a higher level on their treadmills after they have tasted sugar.
The brain surge apparently creates an expectation of more sugary fuel to come, prodding the body to kick it up a notch.
So, to heck with my muscles, next time I will just bypass them with a sugary mouthwash boost for my brain.
