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 glycogen will 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 g carbohydrates per hour exercise.(~1 energy gel)
• Exercises 2-3h: 60 g carbohydrates per hour exercise.(~2 energy gels)
• Exercises >2.5-3h: up to 90 g carbohydrates per hour exercise.(~up to 3 energy gels)

he Etixx Isotonic Energy Gel is a unique sugar mixture that consists of high-speed sugars (glucose and maltose), semi-slow sugars (sucrose) and slow sugars (complex sugars). This sugar mixture provides a quick energy boost, yet still provides energy over a long period of time (see figure). Moreover, glucose and fructose use different transport systems when they are absorbed into the body. This means that in total more carbohydrate can simultaneously enter the blood stream when glucose and fructose are consumed together in comparison to when only one of the two sugars is consumed.

The Isotonic Energy Gel is ideal for endurance and strenuous exercise in hot weather and for athletes with high sweat rates. Electrolytes (sodium and potassium) are added to replace those electrolytes lost through sweating. Sodium intake also helps to ensures that moisture is retained better in the body and stimulates thirst. This gel is isotonic (6.9% carbohydrate per 100 ml) when dissolved in 350 ml water and this leads to optimal absorption of moisture, carbohydrates and minerals. This gel can be consumed with or without water and therefore is ideal for carrying with you on training sessions when it can be hard to take supplies.

Who will benefit from using the Etixx Isotonic Energy Gel?

The Etixx Isotonic Energy Gel is suitable for all athletes that need to quickly replenish their energy during prolonged exercise. Therefore it is ideal to consume immediately before or during prolonged endurance events such as cycle sportives, triathlons and marathons. Not only that but it contains added electrolytes and therefore is ideal for consumption in hot weather when sweat rates are high. Furthermore, it may also be useful for team sport athletes to consume during rest periods.

Etixx Isotonic Energy Gel Instructions

10min BEFORE                   1 gel

DURING                               1 to 2 gels per hour of exercise

The Isotonic Energy Gel can also be dissolved in 350ml water to prepare an isotonic thirst quencher with fresh lime flavour.

Ingredients

Sugar syrup 80% (dextrose, sucrose, maltose, other sugars) – Water – Potassium citrate – Sodium citrate – Acidity regulator: Malic acid – Preservative: Potassium sorbate – Flavouring: lime – L-ascorbic acid

No gluten – no lactose – no soy – vegetarians √ – vegans √