Which is faster, swimming in syrup or swimming in water? Edward Cussler of the University of Minnesota led an experiment to find out. A 25-meter swimming pool was filled with syrup made with guar gum. Volunteers were timed swimming through the syrup (described as looking "snot-like") and through water.

In the end, it turns out the times weren't much different. Though the syrup dragged against people slowing them down, it also gave them something to pull against while swimming which sped them up.

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