I’m always on the lookout for ways to gain muscle mass and bulk up.
And if you’re a skinny guy or gal like me, you know how tough it can be to put on some serious muscle.
That’s why many people turn to mass gainer powders to help them achieve their fitness goals.
But, with the use of any supplement comes to some possible side effects, and mass gainer powders are no exception.
These bad boys promise to pack on the pounds and give you the gains you’re after.
But with all that hype comes some potential side effects.
So, in this blog post, we’ll be talking about the mass gainer powder side effects.
We’ll give you the lowdown on what to expect and how to make sure you’re making the right choice when it comes to incorporating them into your fitness routine.
So, let’s get into it!
1. Diarrhea – The Most common mass gainer side effects
One of the common side effects of using mass gainers is diarrhea.
Excessive consumption of sugar-rich mass gainers can lead to bloating and muscle cramps as the body is not used to consuming so many calories in one go.
It can also interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, especially for those who are lactose intolerant. Stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea are also possible side effects.
People may also experience stomach cramps, indigestion, and constipation as a result of insufficient fiber in the supplement.
To reduce the risk of these side effects, it is important to choose the right product, reduce the serving size, check the consistency of the powder, and drink the supplement slowly.
2. Abdominal Pain
The symptoms of abdominal pain associated with the use of mass gainers include bloating, stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms are caused by the excessive speed and volume of intake of the mass gainers, filling up the stomach quickly with a dense calorie source. In more serious cases, mass gainer use may also cause food intolerance and food allergies.
In one incident one person developed Gastric Phytobezoar – rare but it can happen from consuming protein shakes.
3. Nausea
Nausea can happen pretty quickly after you drink a protein shake. I believe it is due to the amount of liquid that you are drinking. It will fill your stomach and the existing stomach acid will try to go up.
If you are like me, who has an acidity issue then nausea can happen pretty quickly.
I once was having nausea, hiccups, and bloating for a few hours straight after a large protein shake with a mass gainer.
4. Digestion Issues
The digestion issues associated with the use of mass gainers include bloating, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and gas.
These side effects are usually the result of excessive calorie intake, excessive volume of intake, lack of fiber content, and the presence of lactose if the mass gainer contains whey and casein proteins.
To reduce the risk of these digestion issues, it is recommended to use mass gainers with a reasonable serving size and calorie content, reduce the serving size in pure volume terms, use plenty of water or milk to maintain a smooth consistency, and not chug the mass gainer.
For lactose-intolerant people, you can eat whey isolates with oats, and peanut butter to make a weight gainer shake.
Also, many low-cost mass gainers will have low-quality ingredients that might trigger an upset stomach as well.
5. Unhealthy Weight Gain – do mass gainers make you fat?
Yes, mass gainers can make you fat if they are consumed in large quantities or too frequently.
Mass gainers are high in calories and can easily cause a calorie surplus which can lead to fat gain.
Mass gainers can also contain poor-quality proteins and high sugar levels, which can further contribute to the risk of excessive fat gain. To avoid this, it is important to choose lean mass gainers and take smaller doses.
You should also focus on eating a balanced, healthy diet and not rely on mass gainers as a primary means of gaining muscle.
6. Bloating
Bloating is the most common issue that I have felt in my body after consuming mass gainers.
Mass gainers can make you sick if your body can not digest the ingredients.
All mass gainers have some form of lactose in it and a lot of sugar. Both can cause acidity and bloating.
I used to get heartburn as well.
Not a nice feeling to be honest.
To avoid bloating, one should look for mass gainers that list whey protein isolate as their first source of protein.
With mass gainers, you can also try eating a lower amount at first and then get to the full scoop in a week or so.
9. Increased Blood Sugar Levels
Using mass gainers can increase blood sugar levels due to the high sugar content they usually contain.
If you are a healthy person with no diabetes miles around you then you should not be worried.
But yet, consuming a large amount of sugar is not recommended.
Who Should Use Mass Gainers?
| People who can benefit from Mass Gainer | Expected Results |
| Hard Gainers | Increased calorie intake and weight gain |
| Endurance Athletes | Improved energy and endurance during training |
| Vegetarians/Vegans | Increased protein intake to support muscle growth |
| Busy Individuals | A convenient way to consume necessary calories and nutrients |
| Older Adults | Help to combat muscle loss and maintain muscle mass |
Why Should You Use A Mass Gainer?
1. If you are struggling to consume enough calories
Using a mass gainer can help you consume enough calories to gain mass by providing your body with extra calories that you may not otherwise get in your diet.
Mass gainers work well for dirty bulk as well.
Mass gainers contain a balanced level of micronutrients that can help support muscle growth and repair.
Consuming the right quality and quantity of macronutrients is essential for weight gain, and mass gainers provide an easy way to do this.
But due to the high sugar content and the calorie that it comes with, it might make you fat if you are not working out enough.
Do you want that?
Guessed right. Nope.
2. If you don’t consume enough macronutrients
Macronutrients are essential for gaining mass, not consuming enough of them can severely limit your results.
Without enough macronutrients, your body can’t produce the energy it needs to build muscle and strength.
This can lead to fatigue and a lack of energy.
A mass gainer as a snack can help you get those macronutrients.
3. If you don’t consume a balanced diet
A mass gainer can be a good product for people who don’t consume a balanced diet.
It also contains essential vitamins and minerals that keep the body healthy and fit. Since the nutrients are combined in a single product, it is easier to keep track of your daily nutrition and make sure that you’re getting the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
But mass gainer is not a replacement of your real food.
Do mass gainers work?
Mass gainers have been a popular choice for people who are underweight and skinny seeking to increase their body weight. But are mass gainers effective? The answer is yes.
Research has shown that consuming protein shakes (1) along with resistance training can help to increase muscle protein synthesis, which helps to build muscle.
This means that mass gainers with whey protein can be an effective way to get extra calories and protein to help build muscle.
However, you should eat enough meat, eggs, carbs, and vegetables to have a balanced diet.
When used responsibly, mass gainers can be an effective way to help build muscle for people looking to gain weight.
Should you worry about the side effects of weight gain? Are mass gainer bad for you?
Mass gainers are safe for most healthy people if they are taken in recommended doses of 50-150 grams per day. However, potential side effects of mass gainers include upset stomach, nausea, bloating, thirst, cramps, fatigue, and headache.
If you are underweight and looking to gain muscle, mass gainers can be an option, but you should be aware of the potential side effects and be sure to monitor your weight and health closely.
The Last Rep!
We’ve covered a lot in this blog post about the mass gainer powder side effects for skinny guys and gals. But before we go, I want to leave you with a few parting thoughts.
First and foremost, if you’re considering incorporating mass gainers into your fitness routine, make sure you do your research and choose a high-quality product that fits your individual needs.
Remember, while mass gainers can be effective, they should be used in moderation and in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
And last but not least, don’t forget to listen to your body and pay attention to any potential side effects that may arise.
Overall, I hope this post has been helpful and informative for all you fitness lovers out there.
Keep crushing those goals and never stop striving for the best version of yourself! Peace out.
