Effect
Weight Gainer are supposed to induce weight gain through muscle growth. The goal is to build up fat-free mass, ideally muscle mass. The composition of Weight Gainers consists mainly of carbohydrates and proteins, to supply as many calories as possible in the shortest possible time.
In addition, most weight gainers also contain fats, vitamins and minerals. The body is thus supplied with energy over a long period of time and the muscle breakdown is prevented. Weight Gainers also have a positive effect on the regeneration after a workout.
Athletes who gain only little mass because they have a good metabolism are called hardgainers and can usually be recognized by a low body fat percentage and well developed muscles. Through the normal food intake it is not possible for hardgainers to supply enough calories for mass building. For this reason, these athletes increasingly rely on Weight Gainer to supply more calories and thus build up mass.
Side effects
Ideally, before taking Weight Gainer should be calculated your own calorie requirements. Because athletes who are not hardgainers can often achieve the necessary calorie surplus to build muscle mass without dietary supplements with weight gainers. When calculating this energy requirement, general factors such as height, weight, age, gender and also professional activity are taken into account.
The necessary excess calories that should then be obtained is estimated to be approximately 500 kcal. Anything in excess of this is not effectively burned and the body stores the nutrients in the form of fat. However, since increasing the body fat percentage is usually not the goal of weight gainers, an oversupply of calories should be avoided.
In addition, normal food intolerances such as lactose intolerance can also cause side effects. However, this is usually not an obstacle, as there are substitutes for most of the ingredients in homemade Weight Gainer Shakes (for example, coconut or soy milk instead of cow’s milk). In the case of weight gainers in powder form or other industrially produced products, care should be taken to ensure that they come from a reputable manufacturer and that the ingredients are listed according to the regulations.If allergic reactions occur, the intake should be stopped urgently and a doctor should be consulted.
A possible long-term side effect of Weight Gainers occurs when there is too much sugar in the shake. The multiple rapid increase in blood sugar can in the long term promote the development of diabetes. In addition, some experts also see a connection between increased carbohydrate intake and acne.
