Energy Gels VS Perform
Energy gels VS Perform
I’m sure, along with myself, you have seen more and more people get the ‘marathon buzz’. However, I often wondered, ‘what on earth are they drinking from those little pouches?’. So what exactly are they?
Energy gels are a liquid that contains concentrated carbohydrates, designed to be taken during exercise as a rapid source of energy. These gels are an essential for any endurance athlete. Due to their convenience of being able to be taken on the go, runners, cyclists and triathletes can have them in their vests or pockets, to consume whilst still on the go. During prolonged periods of exercise, our body relies on carbohydrates stored as glycogen to provide us with energy. As these levels of glycogen are expended during exercise, energy gels are the perfect way to restore levels and keep endurance levels up. It has been suggested to consume an energy gel 30-45 minutes into the long period of exercise, and every 30-45 minutes following on. Therefore, if you are drinking these gels on a regular basis both in training and races, we need to understand just how good this is on your body.
What are the ingredients in an energy gel?
We took a look at the ingredients list of a popular energy gel.
- Water
- Maltodextrin
- Gelling Agents
- Natural Flavouring
- Acidity Regulators
- Preservatives
- Sweetener
- Sodium Chloride
- Ascorbic Acid
What are the benefits of energy gels?
- Provide a quick source of energy
- Convenient for on the go during exercise
- Replenishes lost electrolytes during exercise
What are the ingredients in Perform?
The ‘Perform’ cold pressed juice is made up of 95% Beetroot and 5% Lemon, pressed in our on farm juicery to create this natural performance enhancer.
What are the benefits of drinking Perform?
- Perform is naturally rich in dietary nitrates (300mg) to boost nitric oxide production
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves blood flow and endurance
- Provides a source of potassium to contribute towards helping the heart muscles to work properly
- Provides a source of iron which is important in red blood cell production to carry oxygen around the body
- Provides a source of magnesium to help turn food into energy to power workouts
- Provides a source of zinc which helps with processing carbohydrate in food to boost energy
What are the differences between Perform and energy gels?
|
Perform |
Energy Gels |
|
Caffeine free |
Includes caffeine |
|
Gentle on the stomach |
Could lead to gastrointestinal issues |
|
Only naturally occurring sugars |
Contains refined sugars |
|
Can help to reduce blood pressure |
Risk of unbalancing blood sugar levels |
|
Equally as effective whether consumed alone or with water |
Should be consumed with water as it takes longer to digest alone and taken with energy drinks could lead to taking in too much sugar at once |
Why should I opt for Perform over Energy Gels?
In conclusion, with the increasing popularity of energy gels in the sporting industry, it is evident why so many reach for these gels to accompany them. Nevertheless, the caffeine in these gels can lead to energy crashes once the effects of the stimulant have worn off, if levels of caffeine are not replenished regularly. Similarly, as these gels are typically consumed in quantities of more than one, the consumption of too many of these gels can lead to blood sugar levels skyrocketing and in turn, disrupting blood sugar levels. Additionally, energy gels are full of refined and simple sugars as opposed to Perform which is 100% natural, so if you prefer to consume a diet comprised of whole foods, then Perform is a more suitable option for you. Importantly, these energy gels have sometime resulted in gastrointestinal issues such as an upset stomach due to the levels of fructose and caffeine in these gels. To summarise, switch to a more natural, more gentle on the body alternative, and also get 1 of your 5 a day!
