In a football match, 22 players sprint, tackle, defend, and attack relentlessly for 90 minutes. The intensity is so high that you can see sweat pouring off them. Yet, when they’re handed drinks in the middle of the game, players take a sip of water only to swish it around their mouths and spit it out. While it may seem unusual, it’s not just because every second counts; there’s science behind this practice.
Ever Wondered Why Footballers Just Sip & Spit Water During Matches?
The practice of footballers sipping and spitting out a drink is known as carbohydrate mouth rinsing, or carb rinsing. Instead of swallowing a carbohydrate-rich drink, players swish it around their mouths for a few seconds before spitting it out. Studies suggest that this can help reduce the feeling of fatigue while boosting alertness and performance.
How exactly does this work? Well, the mouth contains receptors that can detect carbohydrates. When these receptors are activated, they send signals to areas of the brain linked to reward and motor control. As a result, the brain perceives that energy is on the way, which may improve performance, all without the athlete consuming extra calories or placing additional strain on the digestive system.
This is why many footballers and other athletes competing in high-intensity events lasting around 30 to 75 minutes use the technique. They typically rinse their mouths with a carbohydrate-containing sports drink or a maltodextrin solution with water for a few seconds before spitting it out and continuing the game.
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How Carb Rinsing Helps?
According to The Times of India, the practice of sipping and spitting water became widely popular during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Footballers such as England’s Harry Kane and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo were seen rinsing their mouths with a carbohydrate drink before spitting it out. Since spitting out a drink during play is not considered an offence under the rules of football, the practice did not attract any disciplinary action.
The technique is actually backed by research. A 2017 study published in the European Journal of Sport Science found that carbohydrate mouth rinsing can improve performance across a range of high-intensity activities. According to the researchers, simply tasting the carbohydrate solution may alter an athlete’s perception of effort, making intense exercise feel less demanding even without swallowing the drink.
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Let us know in the comments if you knew about this science of sipping and spitting water in football!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/simonkr & X/@ghostlybabe_
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What is carb rinsing?
Carbohydrate mouth rinsing, or carb rinsing, is a technique in which athletes swish a carbohydrate-containing drink in their mouth for a few seconds before spitting it out instead of swallowing it.
Why do footballers spit out water during matches?
Many footballers use carbohydrate mouth rinsing to help reduce the feeling of fatigue and improve alertness during high-intensity play.
How does carbohydrate mouth rinsing work?
The mouth contains receptors that detect carbohydrates. These receptors send signals to the brain, which may enhance motivation and reduce the perception of effort during exercise.