Everybody wants to live a long healthy, meaningful life. This is where exercise comes in among the other factors contributing to a healthy life.
There are a lot of exercises to keep you fit and strong, but today we will focus on bodybuilding, a progressive resistance exercise.
Lifting those heavy weights is not easy without supplements to help improve your physical performance during the training and stimulate muscle growth.
Bodybuilding helps build lean muscle, increase bone density, manage weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and generally improve quality of life.
Among those supplements bodybuilders and athletes need is Epicatechin, which we will discuss today in detail.
Let us dig deeper into the product and particularly Epicatechin side effects.
What is Epicatechin
Epicatechin is a plant-based phytochemical in several foods like green tea and dark chocolate.
It is also an antioxidant flavonoid derived from plants.
How to use Epicatechin
The recommended dosage for Epicatechin is 1-2mg of body weight.
Bodybuilders can use 150-200mg or more per day to experience its full muscle-building effects.
It is important to note that Epicatechin has side effects too.
When to use Epicatechin
Epicatechin can be used at any time of the day and for any length of period desired.
A minimum of 4 weeks is recommended for bodybuilders to achieve the best results.
Who can use Epicatechin
Any adult can use Epicatechin to see changes in their body composition.
However, women should be very careful when buying Epicatechin supplements to avoid buying the ones with testosterone boosters.
If you notice any reactions while using it, you should stop using it immediately as it has side effects too.
How Epicatechin works
Epicatechin blocks a protein called myostatin which limits your muscle. This gives your muscle growth a booster, mass, and strength.
It also boosts your endurance, increases nitric oxide, maximizes your blood flow, and delivers nutrients to your muscle.
Sources of Epicatechin
The major sources of Epicatechin are cocoa, dark chocolate, red wine, and green tea.
For bodybuilders to get 200mg of Epicatechin from a snack like dark chocolate means consuming a lot of it, which is unhealthy.
This is why most of the trainees opt for supplements rich in Epicatechin.
Benefits of Epicatechin
The following are some of its benefits.
- It enhances muscle growth.
- It increases the production of nitric oxide, which increases blood flow and endurance during training.
- Also, it is a natural antioxidant.
- It lowers cholesterol.
- It improves insulin sensitivity.
- Furthermore, it regulates blood sugar levels.
- It supports cardiovascular function.
- It supports the feeling of well-being.
- Finally, it promotes cognitive function.
But just like other products with advantages, we will discuss some proven Epicatechin side effects below.
Epicatechin Side Effects
Some of the Epicatechin side effects include;
1. Shortness of breath
This is one of the Epicatechin side effects because this compound increases blood and leads to more physical performance. This eventually can lead to shortness of breath.
A study found that epicatechin decreases the respiratory quotient.
2. Altered mood
This epicatechin side effect increases monoaminergic neurotransmitter synthesis in the brain. This can lead to random mood changes.
In this study, researchers found that Epicatechin causes anxiety, leading to moody behaviors.
3. Irritability
Another Epicatechin side effect is it can lead to irritability as it leads to the production of dopamine which is a feel-good hormone. The feeling of motivation, pleasure, and satisfaction can cause anxiety.
According to this study, Epicatechin enhances anxiety.
4. Depression
It triggers anxiety, stress, and cognitive decline. When your brain goes through all this over some time, you could get depressed if you allow it without seeking help.
5. Severe acne
This is another possible Epicatechin side effect.
Epicatechin contains substances that increase fat oxidation, which can begin to appear on your face as acne.
6. Increased aggression
Another Epicatechin side effect is it can lead to increased aggression.
Increased blood flow makes the brain more active, which is needed for high performance.
This could lead to aggressiveness even in other activities.
A study conducted shows how Epicatechin influences your sports performance.
7. Higher heart rate
This is another Epicatechin side effect one might experience because as you train, the blood flow is faster than normal.
Substances in Epicatechin increase the blood flow; hence your heart beats faster than normal.
This study shows that Epicatechin increases heart rate.
8. Fatigue
Epicatechin enhances one’s endurance and physical performance.
This means one will train more, leading to fatigue at the end of the day.
9. Weakness
This is another side effect of Epicatechin, as this product gives you energy and the motivation to work to your full potential. Eventually, you might feel weak, but the muscle will get leaner and bigger.
10. Chest pains
Lifting those heavy weights will lead to chest pains.
Taking small steps and advances is suitable for avoiding overworking your chest.
Epicatechin Reviews
The product has been reviewed by its consumers on sites like Amazon.
Some of its positive reviews include;
- It enhances your muscle growth.
- It enhances your energy.
- Moreover, it keeps you in a good mood.
- It gives you the motivation you need for training.
- It enhances your endurance during training.
- Furthermore, it helps regulate blood sugar levels.
In addition to the Epicatechin side effects, the product has also received some negative reviews.
Some of the negative reviews include;
- It makes you feel fatigued.
- It gives you migraines.
- It gives you acne.
- It makes you very aggressive.
Conclusion
Conclusively, Epicatechin has received many positive reviews from its users for its ability to enhance muscle growth, improve insulin sensitivity, lower cholesterol and regulate sugar levels.
However, just like any other product, there are some proven Epicatechin side effects.
Too much can lead to side effects like migraines, acne, chest pains, depression, mood alterations, and fatigue.
Therefore, you should take it moderately to avoid unnecessary side effects.
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