Proper nutrition is essential when exercising, so you may be wondering whether you should eat before or after a workout. Generally, when you should eat can depend on your personal fitness goals, the workout you’re planning, and any health concerns you may have. Furthermore, เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย the two factors affect each other. Proper nutrition can fuel your workout and help your body recover and adapt.

However, one common question is whether you should eat before or after a workout. This can be especially important if you’re exercisings first thing in the morning. Here’s everything you need to know about eating before or after a workout.

Should I eat “before” or “after” exercising?

Exercising on an empty stomach increases your body’s ability to use fat for fuel.

The body’s main sources of energy are body fat and carbohydrates. Fat is stored in the form of triglycerides in adipose tissue, while carbohydrates are stored in the muscles and liver in the form of a molecule called glycogen. Carbohydrates are also present in the form of blood sugar.

Studies show that blood sugar levels rise before and during exercise when you eat a pre-workout meal, which makes sense because most pre-workout meals in these studies provided carbohydrates, which your body uses for energy during exercise.

When exercising on an empty stomach, most of the body’s energy needs come from breaking down body fat.

A study in 273 participants found that fat burning was higher during fasted exercise, while glucose and insulin levels were higher during non-fasted exercise.

This exchange between carbohydrate and fat metabolism is part of the body’s natural ability to function with or without the food you just ate.

Exercising on an empty stomach may not lead to greater body fat loss

Since your body burns more fat for energy when fasting, it’s tempting to think that this will lead to more fat loss over time.

One study showed different reactions in people who exercised in a fasted state compared to those who ate before exercising. Specifically, the muscles’ ability to burn fat during exercise and the body’s ability to maintain stable blood sugar levels were improved by exercising on an empty stomach, but not by exercising after eating.

For this reason, some scientists believe that the body’s response to exercising on an empty stomach is more beneficial than exercising after eating.

However, despite some evidence suggesting the potential benefits of exercising on an empty stomach, there is no clear evidence that exercising on an empty stomach leads to more weight loss or fat gain.

Skipping food shortly before exercise may not affect performance

Many people who want to perform to their full potential wonder if exercising on an empty stomach will negatively affect their performance.

Some research has attempted to answer this question. One analysis examined 23 studies on whether eating before exercise improved performance.

Most research shows no difference in performance between people who eat less than an hour before aerobic exercise and those who do not.

Other studies examining high-intensity interval training (HIIT) have found no difference in performance between exercising on an empty stomach and after eating.

Although there is limited data on weight training, some research shows that exercising on an empty stomach or after eating may produce similar results.