Former Premier League player reveals hidden reason players spit out drinks

A former Premier League footballer has explained just why players spit out their drinks after plenty of head-scratching from fans.

Those playing at the highest level of English football are always looking for those extra marginal gains that can give them that much-needed boost and improve performance.

There are various methods and examples of how that is done by elite level athletes and Hal Robson-Kanu, who played 94 times in the Premier League for Reading and West Brom, has provided insight into a performance hack many adopt.

The former Wales international, who scored a memorable goal in the Euro 2016 quarter-final against Belgium, regularly posts clips on his social media channels around health and fitness.

He also founded a hydration drinks brand which is sold in both Selfridges and Sainsbury's. Active in the space, a recent video put out by Robson-Kanu on TikTok saw him delve into what footballers are drinking.

Specifically, the 36-year-old spoke about why he see player spitting out the liquids they are consuming.

As explained by Robson-Kanu, doing this essentially allows them to get a rinse of sugars but not to the detriment of their body.

By spitting it out and not swallowing, they avoid getting a full stomach in a high-intensity game but can still benefit and see fatigue reduced.

"A lot of footballers will swish lucozade in their mouths, spit it out and then go and eat a banana because they also know that consuming lucozade sugars in that form aren't good for the body," the former ITV World Cup pundit said.

"But from a sensory perspective, by swishing it in your mouth you're almost getting that hit of the sugar without it actually having to pass through your digestive system."

In his caption, Robson-Kanu said the hydration techniques go "beyond simply drinking water" and that certain beverages are consumed at specific times for a clear purpose.

He also added that their drinks choices are informed by "the psychological benefits that certain liquids may provide in terms of energy and mental clarity" and these decisions "can be game-changers".

With sports science never at a higher level of importance in the game, Robson-Kanu went on to explain that "engaging with these hidden strategies can provide both athletes and enthusiasts deeper insights into what it takes to succeed at the top levels of competition".