Recently, during a friendly match, AC Milan’s DJ played Triple H’s theme just as Kyle Walker did his signature water spit.
Now, sure, Walker might be channeling his inner WWE fan — but there’s actually more to it than just looking cool for the cameras.
Have you ever noticed how footballers often take a sip of water… and then spit it out? Not exactly what we do during a workout, right?
It might look dramatic — almost like a wrestling tribute — but this bizarre habit has a surprising scientific reason behind it.
And believe it or not, it could actually help improve performance on the pitch.
Let’s break it down.
The Real Reason Footballers Spit Water
It’s Called “Carb Rinsing”
No, footballers aren’t just wasting water for the sake of it. When you see them take a swig of water and then spit it out, they’re actually doing something called “carb rinsing.”
It’s a technique backed by sports science that helps improve their performance on the field.
So, what is carb rinsing? It’s basically the process of swishing a carbohydrate-based drink (like water mixed with electrolytes) in the mouth for a few seconds and then spitting it out.
The idea is to trick the brain into thinking the body is getting energy, even though the player isn’t really drinking the fluid.
How Does It Work?
Here’s where the science comes in. When footballers put this electrolyte-rich fluid in their mouths, the receptors in the mouth send signals to the brain.
These signals make the brain think, “Hey, we’re getting some extra energy!”
This little trick boosts the player’s mental focus and can slightly increase performance, even though the water isn’t actually ingested.
Carb rinsing basically tells the brain, “Energy is coming.” This is crucial in a game like football, where running for 90 minutes can completely drain a player’s energy reserves.
By rinsing their mouths with this special solution, they can give their brain a quick boost of focus and alertness, which helps them push through the fatigue.
Why Don’t Footballers Just Drink the Water?
You might wonder, if carb rinsing helps, why don’t footballers just drink the water instead of spitting it out?
Well, there’s a simple answer to that: drinking too much water while playing can actually make things worse.
The Problem With Drinking Too Much Water
If you’ve ever played a sport and drank too much water, you’ve probably felt that uncomfortable feeling in your stomach afterward.
It’s not fun, and it makes running a lot harder. Footballers experience the same thing.
If a player drinks too much water, especially while running or moving constantly during a match, it can cause stomach cramps.
This is something every athlete wants to avoid because it slows them down.
By spitting out the water instead, footballers avoid that heavy feeling in their stomach while still getting the performance benefits from carb rinsing.
Does Carb Rinsing Really Improve Performance?
Yes, it does! According to studies, carb rinsing can improve performance by about 2-3%.
While that may not sound like much, in a sport like football, where matches are often won by the smallest of margins, a 2-3% boost can be the difference between winning and losing.
Small Boosts, Big Impact
That small percentage can make a player just a bit faster or more focused in critical moments. Think about it: in a 90-minute match, even a little extra energy or mental clarity could help a player sprint a bit quicker to get the ball, or stay focused when they’re feeling fatigued in the final minutes.
So, while it might look weird on TV, carb rinsing gives footballers that little edge they need to perform at their best.
It’s Not Just Footballers—Other Athletes Do It Too
Carb rinsing isn’t exclusive to footballers. Other athletes in high-intensity sports like cycling, rugby, and running use this method as well.
Any sport that requires endurance and mental focus can benefit from this simple, yet effective, technique.
The idea behind carb rinsing is pretty universal: trick the brain into thinking the body is getting energy, stay light, and avoid stomach cramps.
So, next time you see an athlete spit out water, know that there’s a whole science behind it.
Final Thoughts
So, why do footballers spit so much? It turns out that spitting isn’t just a random habit or an attempt to imitate pro wrestlers.
It’s actually a scientifically-backed strategy called carb rinsing that helps them stay light on their feet and focused on the game.
By avoiding the discomfort of a heavy stomach and giving their brain a quick energy boost, footballers can perform just that little bit better on the pitch.
So, next time you watch a match, and you see a player spit out their drink, you’ll know they’re not just wasting water—they’re gaining a competitive edge.
In the end, every little advantage counts in football, and spitting might just be one of those small tricks that help players perform at their best.
