prior to stepping on the treadmill, subjects were shown a video that extolled the ergonomic benefits of using a carbohydrate mouth rinse and were told the study’s goal was to compare the effectiveness of two different sports drinks. the contents of the drinks remained hidden, save for the colour.
researchers chose to add pink food dye to half the beverages because the colour is associated with perceptions of increased sugar and carbohydrate intake. with previous research pointing to the aerobic benefits of using carbohydrates in this manner, the team hoped to learn if the same benefits could be obtained through a placebo effect.
the answer was a resounding yes, with subjects running an average of 212 metres further and 4.4 per cent faster when using the pink potion as opposed to the clear alternative. the colourful concoction also produced a “feel-good effect” that made the task seem more enjoyable and less taxing.
“the findings from our study combine the art of gastronomy with performance nutrition, as adding a pink colourant to an artificially sweetened solution not only enhanced the perception of sweetness, but also enhanced feelings of pleasure, self-selected running speed and distance covered during a run,” deb said.
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