A scientific study conducted at the University of Massachusetts is aiming to prove that designer energy drinks and sports bars may do more harm then good.

“I’m not trying to say all sports drinks are evil,” laughs Barry S. Braun, an associate professor of kinesiology and the director of the energy metabolism laboratory at the University of Massachusetts.

The positive effects that exercise has on the human body are irrefutable. They have repeatedly been scientifically proven. However, there are some preconceived notions that dominate the fitness world, such as the idea of “carbing up,” or eating a high-carb diet either before or after a workout.

The whole world watched Olympic swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps shatter the previous records set by past Olympians at the 2008 summer games. Perhaps one aspect of this swimming machine that is equally as impressive as his lightning-fast speed in the water or his washboard abs was his unbelievable 12,000 calorie-a-day diet during Olympic training.

“The big thing is to distinguish between athletes who are trying to increase their performance and maintain this performance for their next workout. For the average person trying to keep from gaining weight or trying to maintain their physique, the helpful effects of this tend to be less,” says Braun.

Braun encourages students to really think about the reasons why they’re embarking upon exercise regimens. Phelps needed to ingest 12,000 calories a day in order to keep up with his rigorous five-hours-per-day, six-days-per-week training schedule to prepare himself for the Olympics. If the average college student were to indulge himself on a 12,000 calorie-a-day diet, they would have to enlist the help of their roommates to roll him around campus to make it to class on time.

Braun was interested in looking at a diet that was high in carbohydrates and its effects on the human body, and conducted a study with the help of three of his graduate students – Steve Black, Kaila Holz and Brooke Stephens-Hasson.

The results of their research were strikingly similar. One of the positive effects they discovered exercise to have on the human body was the increase in effectiveness insulin has on blood sugar after working out.

Insulin is a very important hormone in blood that converts sugar into an energy source that is used immediately for energy to protect the body from tapping into its auxiliary energy reserves. If insulin fails to function properly, diseases such as diabetes can result.

The results of this research supported the hypothesis that ingesting food or beverages high in carbohydrates completely cancels out the positive metabolic effects of exercise, such as the increased effectiveness of insulin. Their studies showed that it is strictly the amount of carbohydrates, and not the amount of calories, that produces this negative effect. The timing of the meal, whether before or after the workout, is not a factor. However, all three studies concluded that exercising was more beneficial than not exercising at all.

Braun’s advice is that if you intend on getting in shape, exercise and try to avoid overloading on carbs, and beware of carbs in energy drinks. Energy drinks often boast to having essential vitamins and minerals within their pretty packaging, but in reality are sneaking unnecessary carbohydrates into your system.

“I hope [the results of this study help] people resist the urge to reach for something they saw on TV or in a glossy magazine, and think about why they are exercising in the first place. [Designer energy drinks have] gotten a ton of airplay, and have become more mainstream,” says Braun.

However, it would also be detrimental to your health to cut carbs out of your diet completely.

Kim Conran, a senior nutrition and psychology double major, recommends, “After a workout, you should eat a balance of carbs and protein.”

Protein is necessary to build muscle, so for instance an apple with one or two tablespoons of natural peanut butter is a healthy choice. In order to build muscle, concentrate on strength training and getting an adequate balance of carbs, proteins and fats, unless you do happen to be training for the Olympics.

Sara Cody can be reached at [email protected].