From Messi to Ronaldo, why do footballers spit energy drinks in their mouth, what is the carb rinse trick?

FIFA World Cup 2026 is going on. During football matches, you must have seen many players taking energy drinks in their mouth and immediately spitting them out. It may seem strange at first glance, but there is a special fitness technique hidden behind it, which is adopted by many big footballers of the world.

Along with legendary players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, many other footballers also use this method. This is called the carb rinse trick. Let us know what this trick is and why players swirl the drink in their mouth and throw it out instead of drinking it.

What is the carb rinse trick?

Carb rinse is a technique in which players keep a carbohydrate or sugar-rich drink in their mouth for a few seconds and then spit it out. During this time they do not swallow the drink. The purpose of this process is not to provide energy directly to the body, but to give a signal to the brain that the body is going to get energy soon. As soon as the drink goes into the mouth, the receptors present there become active and send messages to the brain.

How does the brain benefit?

According to experts, when the brain feels that the body is going to get carbohydrates, it reduces the feeling of fatigue for some time. With this, players can feel more energetic and perform better on the field. This means that the body does not actually get extra calories, but the signals received by the brain can help in performance.

Why don’t players drink?

Football is a game in which players have to run continuously. If you drink too much sweet or heavy drink during the match, you may feel discomfort in the stomach. Sometimes players may also feel heaviness or lethargy. With the help of carb rinse trick, players try to maintain their performance without putting extra pressure on the stomach.

Who adopts this trick?

Although many footballers use this technique, not all players do so. Some players like to drink energy drinks or water normally. Norway’s star footballer Erling Haaland’s name is often taken in this case. He is also seen drinking the drink normally during the match instead of spitting it out.