Study Suggests Ketone Drinks Might Not Boost Athletic Performance After All

In the world of athletics, the quest for performance-boosting strategies is relentless. One such alleged elixir of stamina is the popular ketone drink, revered by athletes for promising the perks of a ketogenic diet in a bottle. However, a recent study throws a wet blanket on this hype, questioning the effectiveness of ketone drinks in enhancing athletic prowess.

The ketogenic or keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat regimen that nudges the body to produce ketones, fueling the heart, brain, and other organs while primarily utilizing fat for energy in muscles. This seemingly endless supply of fat fuel theoretically allows endurance athletes to train harder and longer. Yet, actualizing such effects typically demands prolonged indulgence in high-fat food, and that’s where ketone drinks come into the picture – a supposed shortcut to enjoying the benefits of going keto.

However, a recent study led by Martin Gibala, a kinesiology professor at McMaster University, challenges this prevailing belief. Gibala and his team, curious about the lofty claims surrounding ketone drinks, tested their impact on 23 adult cyclists. These athletes, who were regular riders clocking more than five hours a week, participated in two separate 20-minute trials on stationary bikes. In one trial, they consumed a commercial ketone supplement before the workout, while in the other, they had a ketone-free beverage.

The results were startlingly clear-cut. The cyclists performed about 2 percent worse after guzzling the ketone drink compared to the placebo. This dip in performance would lead to significantly slower race times. Additionally, despite having lower heart rates, the effort felt as taxing as it did after consuming the placebo. In a nutshell, the ketone beverage didn’t enhance performance; instead, it made the athletes ride less hard with the same perceived exertion.

Besides the disappointing athletic outcomes, the ketone drink presented other issues. Many cyclists reported unpleasant side effects, including bloating, burping, flatulence, heartburn, and stomach pain. The taste, described as “extremely bitter,” also left a lot to be desired.

While this study suggests ketone drinks might not be the performance booster they’re touted to be, it doesn’t entirely dismiss their potential benefits. Chiel Poffé, a postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven in Belgium, notes that ketone supplements could aid recovery after intense workouts or races and might be beneficial during long endurance events. Brendan Egan, an exercise scientist at Dublin City University, concurs, suggesting that the application of ketone drinks in professional sports, particularly cycling, still needs more research.

As the saga of ketone drinks unravels, it’s a good reminder that when it comes to fitness and nutrition claims, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Despite this, as Egan pointed out, athletes often go to great lengths in the pursuit of performance, braving even the bitter taste and uncomfortable side effects if they believe in a supplement’s benefits.

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