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Can I Drink Mass Gainer on an Empty Stomach? - Genetic Nutrition

Can I Drink Mass Gainer on an Empty Stomach?

, by Sandesh Prasannakumar, 8 min reading time

Introduction

Mass gainers are supplement drinks that can help one to gain weight and increase muscle mass The idea of taking mass gainers is to get extra pounds on easily due to the high calories and protein content. However, some side effects follow when these powerful shakes are consumed, especially when the body is empty. Should you take mass gainers before breakfast or before anything else? Or is it better to take them with a meal or food item first? In this article, we will discuss the safety, advantages and disadvantages of consuming mass gainers on an empty stomach and then leave it to you to decide what is best.

What Happens If You Drink Mass Gainer Empty Stomach?

Chugging down mass gainers right after waking up means pouring a ton of nutrients into your stomach and intestines before you’ve had any other food. The nutrients may get absorbed, but a sudden bombardment of calories, protein, carbs, and vitamins and minerals can overwhelm your GI tract if you’re sensitive.


Potential issues with drinking mass gainer shakes on an empty stomach include:


- Swelling, flatulence and diarrhoea from the onset of the high-calorie or high-carbohydrate intake

- Stomach upsets or pain due to the quantity of nutrients that flood the stomach at once.

- Vomiting as a result of the highly concentrated calories in the morning empty stomach.

- Reduced nutrient assimilation – food has a role in nutrient assimilation by the body.


The side effects that food preparation with these ingredients might elicit are uncomfortable fullness and gassiness. It may also, over time, cause poor gut health. However, it depends on the mass gainer formula and your tolerance and stomach sensitivity.


The Advantages of Intaking Mass Gainers on an Empty Stomach

While it can be risky, taking mass gainers before breakfast does have some benefits:


- Convenience: Fasting implies consuming necessary calories/protein in the morning. This also helps you take mass gainers before workouts in the morning without feeling bloated or uncomfortable during the workout.


- Maximizes absorption: Perhaps the nutrients in the fast-acting mass gainer may be absorbed well when the stomach is empty of other forms of food. Thus, more calories, protein, etc may be utilised for muscular development.


- Appetite stimulation: The amount of calories and nutrition can cause appetite before meals. This, in turn results in taking more food during breakfast or lunch.

Tips to Take Mass Gainers Empty Stomach

Suppose you want to experiment with drinking mass gainers on an empty stomach. In that case, there are some tips to reduce the likelihood of issues:


- Go easy – For the first time, it is advisable to take only half a serving to observe the effect on your body.


- Select mild products – Avoid this mass-gaining product with high fibre, fat, lactose or strong ingredients. Choose simple carbs as they are easier for the body to break down and absorb.


- Limit them to 1-2 servings daily: Fewer servings decrease the possibility of experiencing gastrointestinal troubles.


- Take a small munch before – Some crackers or fruits 20-30 minutes before reduces the stomach acid.


- Maintain adequate water intake – As supplements are incorporated to enhance digestion and absorption, it is recommended to increase water intake.


- Pay attention to your symptoms - If you have ongoing stomach pains, diarrhea or any other discomfort, do not continue use.


Adherence to these tips can go a long way in ensuring that there is little or no discomfort in the stomach. Still, you will need to try it out to see whether your body can tolerate and derive some benefit from the consumption of mass gainers in an empty stomach environment.


The Best Time to Take Mass Gainers

If the latter was not well tolerated when consumed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, then when? Here are some good options:


- After breakfast: Eating before taking mass gainers is effective as it protects the stomach from the impact of the product. This helps to avoid having a feeling of full stomach.


- As a snack: Consuming a mass gainer shake during these breaks can allow one to get calories and protein without substituting other meals.


- Post workout: It is advisable to consume mass gainers shortly after training because this enables your body to metabolise more nutrients to repair and grow muscles. That’s why if you trained fasted, have a small protein/carb snack before.


- Before bed: Consuming a serving of mass gainer just before bedtime is advantageous as it helps the muscles grow while one is asleep. Research has found that it is most effective when taken with a source of protein.


It is necessary to choose a time of the day which is convenient for you – the time when you can take supplements and still get the benefits from them without causing discomfort in the stomach.

FAQs


Should I consume mass gainers before breakfast to gain more weight?

Possibly. Eating those additional calories in the morning may spur hunger and help the body grow. It may also lead to stomach discomfort or diarrhoea, decreasing the absorption of nutrients in the body.


Is it safe to consume mass gainers only on an empty stomach?

Mass gainers can be consumed with or without food, and using mass gainers alone in large quantities can lead to long-term GI problems. It is, therefore, advisable to consume mass gainers with meals so that they do not cause upset in the digestive system and the muscles.


If I train in the fasted state, is consuming a mass gainer drink permissible?

Yes, taking 25-50% of your typical mass gainer serving 20-30 minutes pre-workout means that your training will be fueled while at the same time reducing stomach problems since some food has been ingested. The only important thing you should remember is to ensure you drink a lot of water during and after the training.


The Bottom Line

Even if it is convenient to skip breakfast, taking something as potent as weight gainers can be challenging for many people. It may lead to stomach discomfort, diarrhoea and nutrient malabsorption. You’re going to have to push your tolerance level. In case of consuming mass gainers before breakfast, begin by taking small portions of this product. Find other times that suit your body and objectives for the day, week, or month.

For all your protein and supplements needs, visit Genetic Nutrition!

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