Sweat Guy's blog : 5 Common Side Effects of Mass Gainers – Steps to Minimize

To gain mass, you need a lot of energy, and the best sources of energy are carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

Therefore, in order to preserve muscle mass, you need to have a diet rich in, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber.

However, the modern diet is deficient in protein. That eventually brings us to a supplement that we call mass gainers.

Mass gainers are dietary supplements that claim to help you gain weight and build muscles.

These supplements are mostly composed of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that are supposed to help you gain weight. Most bodybuilders who want to build muscle consume mass gainers.

However, these supplements do have side effects. There are a lot of questions when it comes to mass gainer’s side effects like does mass gainer increase belly fat and how it affects the liver?

In this blog, we are going to look over some side effects associated with mass gainers.

Do Mass Gainers Have Side Effects?

Mass gainers are useful for all those who want to gain mass to get a bulkier appearance.

Unlike whey protein supplements that mostly contain protein, mass gainers also contain carbohydrates and fats. however, there is also a supplement available in the market with the name of weight gainer. Don't get consumed between mass gainer and weight gainer, to know more about weight gainer supplements, refer to weight gainer vs mass gainer.

The main objective to consume mass gainers is to help you in bulking up your muscles. It is different from lean bodybuilding.

All three components in mass gainers function differently. Carbohydrates provide sufficient energy for bulking. On the other hand, fats fulfill the requirement of fatty acids in the body, and protein heals muscle growth.

However, there are plenty of side effects associated with mass gainers. Before start consuming any supplement, it’s important to know all the factors related to it in detail.

Side Effects of Mass Gainers

Now here we're entailing some of the most common side effects of mass gainers.

#1: High Chances of Fat Gain

As mentioned before, mass gainers consist of high amounts of carbs and fats. To some extent, it is useful for mass gain.

But if you keep consuming such high calories for a long while and without sufficient physical activity, you are putting your figure at serious risk.

As per studies published by USDA, adults of age between 19-50 should consume between 1800-2400 calories for females and 2000 – 3000 calories for males. So, if you will consume anything above it, you will end up getting extra fats. Unfortunately, mass gainers contain on average 600 calories per serving.

Therefore, the chances of gaining excessive fat become more realistic here.

To make the risk minimum, try to include physical activity to consume these calories in the muscle-building process.

#2: Mass Gainers Contain Sugar

Mass gainers contain added sugar, which can lead to weight gain. When you consume sugary food, the body releases more insulin than normal. Due to the higher content of insulin in the body, it heightens the glucose level. A higher glucose level gets stored in the form of body fat.

Hence, this is another way how and why mass gainers can make you fat.

The second disadvantage that comes with high sugar content in mass gainers is the risk of developing diabetes.

People who are already overweight are more likely to develop diabetes if they use mass gainers.

This is because they are already at a higher risk for the condition, and adding more weight can further increase that risk.

For healthy consumption of mass gainers, learn all about the ingredients which your mass gainer uses. Check for mass gainers with comparatively low sugar levels.

#3: Can Affect Digestion Negatively

Bloating and cramps are another two issues experienced by people taking mass gainers. The reason is almost the same, high calorie and sugar content.

People with lactose intolerance have even more risk of getting their digestive system affected. This is because almost all mass gainers are formulated using milk sources.

Thus, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating become very common while taking mass gainers.

#4: Liver Damage

Is mass gainer bad for your liver? The short answer is yes. As our liver takes more time to consume protein, the high amount of protein in mass gainer can affect our liver in a negative way.

An increase in the concentration of protein will definitely harm the liver. Furthermore, excessive protein, more than is needed, can also interfere with metabolic activity.

To avoid this situation, keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water. As dehydration can make the situation worse, while a hydrated body can cope with it.

#5: Kidney Damage

Mass gainers can also increase protein potency in the body, and too much protein can cause kidney stones in the body.

Henceforth, to avoid side effects on the kidneys, you can include high-fiber foods in your diet. Additionally, you can a lot of water.

These were some major side effects that you can expect if taken carelessly.

In addition to this, minor side effects may include problems like insomnia and anxiety.

The presence of caffeine, can disrupt sleep patterns and cause these negative effects.

How to Avoid Side Effects of Mass Gainers?

The side effects are overwhelming. Little carelessness can make you suffer from any of these side effects.

But there are certain steps you can take to minimize the risk of experiencing any side effects. Some of these are:

● Try to reduce your calorie intake by 500 calories each day.

● Another thing you should consider is how much protein you consume daily. Protein helps build muscles and keeps you full longer. You should aim to get about 1 gram per pound of body weight.

● When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to start slowly.

● Perform a lot of physical activity with mass gainers.

All in all, it is important to take a mass gainer if you are skinny and want to gain muscle mass. Sometimes it can lead to several negative consequences. However, these negative effects can be prevented by following some precautions. We discussed them all.

Conclusion

Mass gainers are able to help with muscle building, so you shouldn't shy away from taking them.

However, you need to be careful because there are certain side effects that can occur with mass gainers. In this blog, we discussed many of them, and answer many essential questions.

We hope you will feel confident with your decision to use mass gainers. For more information, you can check out other blog posts on this website.

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