Rinsing your mouth with a sugary or carbohydrate-containing drink (without swallowing it) can increase physical performance during a workout.

noli's read

This technique, scientifically termed 'carbohydrate mouth rinsing,' is based on very real and fascinating physiological mechanisms. A 2024 meta-analysis from Deakin University confirms that this method slightly improves performance, particularly for intense efforts lasting 30 to 75 minutes. By stimulating specific receptors in the oral cavity, carbohydrates instantaneously activate brain regions linked to reward and motor control, which reduces the perception of physical exertion. However, randomized clinical trials analyzed in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2022) clarify that this trick does not improve maximal muscle strength, being limited instead to repetition endurance. Furthermore, its efficacy is most notable during fasted sessions, because beyond an hour of continuous effort, actual carbohydrate consumption remains essential to fuel the muscles. The efficacy of this practice is therefore real, but depends heavily on the nature and duration of the exercise.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.