Study Suggests Sparkling Water Benefits Esports Players

Esports participants often resort to sugary energy drinks or caffeine to cope with long gaming sessions, but recent research suggests there may be a better option tucked away in the refrigerator. A study shows that drinking unsweetened, highly carbonated water can help players stay mentally sharp and feel less fatigued, all while enjoying their games more compared to regular water.

The research indicates that the fizz in carbonated water might activate certain brain pathways that keep the prefrontal cortex functioning effectively during lengthy mental tasks.

Key Findings

• Cognitive Maintenance: Players who opted for sparkling water performed significantly better on tests measuring executive function, such as flanker tasks, compared to those drinking plain water.
• The “Throat Hit” Connection: It appears that the carbonation’s physical sensation in the throat stimulates pathways in the brain associated with attention and control.
• Fatigue Dampening: Participants experienced less fatigue and did not exhibit “pupil constriction,” which is a sign of cognitive weariness.
• Fair Play Boost: Notably, those drinking carbonated water committed fewer fouls in virtual soccer matches, hinting at improved self-control.
• Healthier Alternative: These benefits came without the sugar or caffeine typically tied to health risks like obesity and diabetes.

The research was conducted by a team at the University of Tsukuba and published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior Reports.

Long hours of esports can lead to mental fatigue, which slows decision-making and affects physical reactions. Many players turn to energy drinks to combat this, but the overuse of such drinks raises health concerns. Sparkling water, on the other hand, offers a way to avoid sugar and caffeine while still providing a satisfying throat sensation that may engage crucial brain pathways.

In the study, 14 young adults participated in two three-hour virtual soccer sessions while consuming either sparkling or plain water. Throughout, researchers monitored pupil size and heart rate, assessed fatigue and enjoyment levels hourly, and ran tests on executive function, alongside measuring glucose and cortisol levels periodically.

In comparison to those drinking plain water, participants who consumed sparkling water reported less fatigue and greater enjoyment, performed better on executive function tests, and showed reduced pupil constriction. Interestingly, heart rate and other physiological markers did not differ across the two conditions. Players who drank sparkling water also committed fewer fouls, although offensive and defensive performance metrics remained stable.

This study underscores sparkling water as a viable drink for maintaining focus during extended esports activities, without the risks associated with sugar or caffeine.

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