Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Doctors warn of health risks from pre-workout supplements
Pre-workout supplements are popular for giving people extra energy during workouts.
However, doctors like Dr. Kunal Sood are warning that these supplements can have serious health risks.
They often contain high amounts of caffeine and other stimulants that can affect the heart, cause anxiety, and disrupt sleep.
Dr. Sood explained that these ingredients can raise heart rate and blood pressure, trigger anxiety, and even strain the kidneys if used too much.
He also mentioned that taking these supplements too close to bedtime can make it harder to sleep.
While occasional use might be okay, it's important to be careful with how much and how often you use them.
Pre-workout supplements contain high doses of caffeine and other stimulants that can affect heart health.
Stimulant-heavy blends can cause a rapid rise in heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to serious cardiovascular events.
High caffeine intake from pre-workout supplements can trigger anxiety and jitters, even at moderate levels.
Taking pre-workout supplements too close to bedtime can significantly interfere with sleep quality and timing.
Excessive or chronic misuse of pre-workout supplements can strain the kidneys, leading to severe muscle breakdown and acute kidney injury.
- Who
- Dr. Kunal Sood, an anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist
- What
- Potential health risks of frequent or excessive use of pre-workout supplements
- When
- Dr. Sood shared the information in an Instagram video on 13 December
- Where
- The information was shared on Instagram
- Why
- To raise awareness about the potential health risks of pre-workout supplements
- Common Ingredients
- Caffeine, synephrine, yohimbine, nitric oxide boosters, beta-alanine, amino acids
- Caffeine Content
- 150mg to 300mg per serving
- Anxiety Threshold
- 400mg of caffeine
- Sleep Disruption
- Caffeine needs to be taken more than 13 hours before bedtime to avoid sleep disruption
- Kidney Strain
- Severe muscle breakdown, metabolic disturbances, and acute kidney injury linked to heavy pre-workout abuse