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Energy Drinks
' take your pick '
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CARBOHYDRATE BASED OR ISOTONIC BASED, WHICH ONE IS BEST
FOR YOU ?
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It's a nightmare trying to work out which energy
drink will suit your body (stomach) with all the products
that are availably on the market today. They fall into two
types, 'Carbohydrate' based (energy providing) or 'Isotonic'
based (rehydrating). |
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Normally isotonic is better in warm
weather as the body can absorb the
weaker carb mix quicker, keeping you
hydrated even when you're pouring with
sweat. Carbohydrate drinks are quickly
taken in by the body, but have a higher
percentages of carbs, so are great for
enduro events or when you need to keep
energy levels high for longer. The main
stuff found in the mix is Glucose,
Fructose, Sucrose & Maltodextrin.
Fructose: provides a prolonged
release of energy, often found in carbo
drinks.
Glucose, Sucrose & Maltodextrin:
Are quickly absorbed by the body, so are
common in isotonic drinks. |
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The
most important thing to remember is
to choose a energy drink that you
like (sounds daft) but it's no good
riding around the trails or racing
with a bad feeling in the stomach &
not wanting to take a swig of the
mix. |
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ISOTONIC DRINK: |
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SIS GO
Flavours: Lemon
& Lime, Watermelon, Blackcurrant, Tropical
www.scienceinsport.com |
SIS is a
very popular brand they provide a wide selection of products for
all types of events. 'GO' is made for hot weather, where
salt is lost through sweating, as electrolytes can be absorbed
quickly by the body. As with 'PSP22' (the carbo option to
'GO') both use malyodextrin as the main source of energy,
the difference being 'GO' also uses fructose, which is
quicker to be absorbed.
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8 |
We like the Blackcurrant &
Watermelon flavours |
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ISOTONIC DRINK: |
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ENERVIT G
Sport Flavours:
Lemon or Orange.
www.enervit.com |
Enervit is
not that well known in the U.K. but it's a big name in Italy.
Using fructose for quick absorption, 'Enervit G Sport'
provides a balanced mix of energy & fluid when out in hot
weather. It's not just energy & fluids that are lost, so
'Enervit' has added mineral salts & vitamins to try & help
maintain a good balance in the body. With a high % of sugar in
the carbs, this will not offer a good long term energy kick as
some others. It's got dehydrated fruit juice, which gives it the
taste of real fruit.
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6 |
We like the Orange flavour
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ISOTONIC DRINK: |
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MAXIM HYPOTONIC
ENERGY DRINK
Flavours: Tropical Fruit, Orange & Lemon, Lemon & Lime.
www.Maxim.nl |
MAXIM HYPOTONIC
is quite a refreshing drink, its designed for fast absorption, 'Maxim'
uses maltodextrin & sucrose for its energy source, while Vitamin
B12 & B1 help to support the carb metabolism with Vitamin C
acting as an anti-oxidant. Similar to 'Enervit G Sport' there is
a high sugar content, which is as quickly absorbed as 'GO' but,
unlike 'GO' will not offer a sustained release of energy.
'Maxim' is a bit sweet, its best for shorter events.
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5 |
We like the Orange & Lemon
flavour |
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CARBO DRINK: |
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HIGH 5 4:1
ENERGY SOURCE
Flavours: Fresh Citrus & Summer Fruits
www.highfive.co.uk |
HIGH 5 is
well know in the U.K. for its energy products, they have being
doing some home-work & come up with the new 'High5 4:1'.
It contains 4 parts carbs to 1 part protein, research has shown
this combo can provide more energy to enduro riders. '4:1'
also contains High Electrolyte Anti Cramp (HEAC) &
antioxidants to reduce cramp. That's a good thing in our book,
the taste is a little bit on the dry-side (chalky) that's due to
the protein. For all you enduro riders it's a product worth a
try.
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8 |
We like the Summer Fruit
flavour |
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CARBO DRINK: |
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TORQ ENERGY
Flavours:
Neutral, Natural Pink Grapefruit, Lemon & Orange.
www.torqfitness.co.uk |
TORQ's
natural flavours give the drink a zippy taste of real fruit.
Torq doesn't use any artificial colours, flavours or
preservatives & gives the choice of an organic option.
Maltodextrin is the main carbo source to optimise a long
term energy release. As usual the right mix will be quickly
absorbed by the body.
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7 |
We like the Natural Orange
flavour |
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CARBO DRINK: |
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POWERBAR
PERFORMANCE SPORT DRINK
Flavours: Berry,
Lemon & Orange.
www.powerbar.co.uk |
POWERBAR 'Performance
Sport Drink' contains a mix of carbs, Vitamins, Minerals &
Amino Acids. 'Powerbar' uses a 2-in-1 combination of
carbs & electrolytes to supply long term energy from fructose,
while instant energy is supplied with the maltodextrin. Also 'BCAA's'
muscles breakdown is reduced, while vitamins C, E, & B boost
energy levels. Its ideal for those who like a more natural
flavour to a drink.
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9 |
We like the Berry flavour |
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CARBO DRINK: |
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MAXIMUSCLE VIPER
Flavours:
Orange, Fruit Punch.
www.maximuscle.co.uk |
MAXIMUSCLE
Viper' utilises branch amino acids (BCAA's) along
with maltodextrin to not only help maintain energy levels, but
as well as help reduce amino acid imbalances, which contribute
to muscle breakdown & fatigue. As well as carbo's Maxim also add
electrolytes to speed up the hydration process & replace salt
lost by sweating. May take a bit getting use to, but it is good
stuff.
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8 |
We like the Fruit Punch
flavour |
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