The main fuel for prolonged, intense endurance events is carbohydrates and the amount of carbohydrate that is stored in the body is one of the main determinants of performance. As such, it is important that carbohydrate stores are maximised before endurance exercise and that during prolonged exercise where this stores are depleted, additional carbohydrate is consumed to maintain performance and avoid fatigue. Consuming carbohydrates will help to maintain blood glucose and replenish muscle glycogen. If no carbohydrates are consumed, muscle glycogenwill be depleted after approx. 90 minutes of exercise and severe fatigue may occur.
The amount of carbohydrate that you should take on during exercise will depend on the length of your training or competition.
- Exercises < 1h: not necessary to consume carbohydrates during exercise.
- Exercises 1-2h: 30-60g carbohydrates per hour exercise.
- Exercises 2-3h: 60-90g carbohydrates per hour exercise.
- Exercises >3h: 90-120g carbohydrates per hour exercise.
The benefit of an Energy Gel compared to a carbohydrate-rich drink is that a gel is a highly concentrated source of carbohydrates (isotonic drink: 4-8% carbohydrates; energy drink: 8-15% carbohydrates; energy gel 40-80% carbohydrates). Compared to an Energy Bar, a gel will be absorbed much faster because it contains no protein or fat that slows emptying of the stomach.
Who will benefit from the Etixx PRO LINE Energy Gel
Due to the fact that this gel contains a high amount carbohydrates, it is suitable all athletes who perform (extremely) long endurance efforts (minimally 2-3 hours): cyclists, triathletes, duathletes, long-distance runners, trail runners, long-distance swimmers, …
Why a 1:0.8 carb ratio?
Ultra-endurance athletes and well-trained endurance athletes often consume larger amounts of carbohydrates during efforts lasting longer than 3 hours, sometimes up to 120g per hour. During intense exercise, the body can absorb a maximum of approximately 60g of glucose per hour from the intestines due to saturation of the glucose transporter. For prolonged efforts exceeding three hours, this can become a limiting factor, as the carbohydrate requirement is higher than 60g per hour. By consuming different types of carbohydrates, such as glucose and fructose, simultaneously, total carbohydrate absorption can increase to 90g per hour or more, since these sugars are absorbed through two different intestinal transporters.
The most recent scientific insights show that at intakes exceeding 90g of carbohydrates per hour, ratios closer to an equal amount of glucose and fructose, such as 1:0.8, are better absorbed. This is partly because a greater proportion of the ingested carbohydrates can be effectively used as energy without exceeding the capacity of the glucose transporter. Additionally, this ratio slightly reduces the risk of gastrointestinal issues when consuming such high amounts of carbohydrates.
The Etixx PRO LINE Energy Gel contains, in addition to 200mg of sodium, 50g multi-transportable carbohydrates in this most optimal 1:0.8 ratio of glucose:fructose and optimally utilizes different absorption pathways. This makes it ideal for endurance athletes who perform at high intensity for extended periods and aim for a maximum carbohydrate intake of up to 120g per hour.