Clean Boxing Program: The Use of Diuretics—A Practice That Puts a Boxer’s Health at Risk
How many times have we heard about the use of diuretics in sports? Unfortunately, this practice is more common than we might imagine. However, these drugs are by no means harmless; on the contrary, they can gravely jeopardize health and even lead to a fatal outcome.
What are Diuretics and How Do They Work?
Diuretics are drugs designed to increase the excretion of urine. This is achieved by increasing the renal elimination of sodium chloride (salt), a process followed passively by water through an osmotic mechanism.
The primary goal of those who misuse them is to force the loss of water and salt to produce immediate weight loss. It is crucial to understand that the weight reduction achieved is proportional to and dependent on the sodium depletion induced by the drug, which leads to severe dehydration.
Diuretics as “Masking Agents”
In the field of anti-doping, they are known as masking agents because their purpose is to conceal the presence of specific illegal drugs during doping control tests. Their use has the potential to dilute or cover up prohibited substances in the urine, making analytical detection difficult.
In boxing, they are used for two main purposes:
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Artificial Weight Reduction: To attempt to compete in lower weight divisions dishonestly.
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Concealment: To prevent other prohibited substances from being detected during testing.
Key Fact: Diuretics rank fifth in frequency among the most commonly used drug classes worldwide, accounting for 6.7% of all adverse analytical findings globally.
Classification and Families
There are several types of diuretics, primarily grouped into the following families:
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Loop Diuretics (Potent): Such as Furosemide.
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Thiazides: Such as Hydrochlorothiazide.
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Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Such as Acetazolamide.
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Mercurials: Such as Mersalil.
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Aldosterone Inhibitors: Such as Spironolactone.
The Risks: A Latent Danger
The misuse of these drugs causes a range of side effects that compromise the user’s life. Among the most significant risks are:
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Cardiovascular System: Arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders.
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Metabolic System: Extreme dehydration, increased uric acid (gout), and increased blood lipoproteins (linked to the risk of atherosclerosis).
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Vital Organs: Renal alterations, ascites from liver cirrhosis, and hearing loss.
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Blood and Digestion: Decrease in white blood cells and platelets; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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Muscular: Muscle weakness and severe cramping.
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Skin: Extreme sensitivity to the sun (burns) and, according to recent studies, a potential increased risk of skin cancer.
Impact on Performance and Risk of Death
Water loss drastically affects physical capacity:
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A loss of 3% to 4% of body weight through water and salts results in a 10% to 15% decrease in physical performance.
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In severe cases, extracellular dehydration may occur, characterized by hypotension, tachycardia, poor peripheral blood flow, and renal failure. In advanced stages, this can lead to coma and death.
WBC Commitment
For the World Boxing Council, it is imperative to alert all athletes to these risks. Many boxers are unaware of the dangers they face and, due to a lack of information, trust unscrupulous individuals who encourage their consumption.
The Clean Boxing Program is our absolute priority. Our mission is to ensure the safety of our boxers through guidance, education, and truthful information.
Consult the Prohibited Substance List
To view the complete list of substances prohibited by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), please visit the following link:
https://wbcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/VADA-Prohibited-List-2025.pdf
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