Energy gels for endurance athletes

A few years ago, endurance athletes relied solely on water, sports drinks, and some flat cola as their primary carbohydrate supplement during endurance activities like half marathons, marathons, and triathlons. Energy gels are designed to replenish carbohydrate stores that are depleted. These carbs rapidly travel to the blood, correcting the glucose deficit in the blood stream and infusing you with a renewed source of energy to dip into. The problem these days is not in finding a glycogen delivery product, but rather in sorting through the possible choices and then developing a strategic nutrition strategy to ensure optimal fuelling on race day.

RRUNN™ Endurance Gel is a sports energy gel that provides the energy and endurance support that you need during an endurance activity. It comes in highly palatable flavours (mandarin orange, salted caramel and espresso cappuccino), it's easily digestible, and portable. The concentration and liquid consistency of our gels allows for the nutrients be absorbed instantaneously by the system, unleashing a quick endurance and energy boost.

Let us now go through the benefits of what is inside these energy gels and why you should be taking them to ensure maximum performance and optimal fuelling on race day.

1) High GI Carbohydrates:

Your body uses two primary sources of fuel to feed the muscles when you’re during an endurance activity – fat and carbohydrates. For example, during your run, you burn calories and the further or faster you run, the more calories you use. To effectively replenish your fuel stores, you need to consume carbohydrates. Consuming high GI carbohydrates during your run or high endurance exercise helps boost performance. It offers an immediate source of sugar for your hard-working muscles. The quick-release carbohydrates also keep you feeling alert, as your brain thrives on sugar for fuel. RRUNN™ Endurance Gel prevents sugar crashes and bonking.

2) Essential Electrolytes:

Electrolytes are minerals in your body and blood that affect how your body functions, particularly during exercise. You lose electrolytes through sweat and urine. RRUNN™ Endurance Gel is formulated with a combination of magnesium, chloride, sodium and potassium, which help you re-hydrate and maintain your electrolyte to water balance during an endurance activity. Our gel has been designed around your physiology, to recharge you with the essential electrolytes that will help you stay hydrated, no matter what your activity is.

3) Amino Acids:

A common side-effect that endurance athletes experience is flu-like symptoms after a long training session or race. This is because the body’s immune system is weakened immediately after strenuous physical activity. RRUNN™ Endurance Gel features Sustamine™ – a dipeptide-bond of L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine, which helps increase fluid uptake across your system and keep the hydration pathway functioning smoothly – regardless of whether there is rain or sunshine. When Mother Nature cranks up the heat, L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine also helps your body transition to hotter conditions without compromising on performance. In short, amino acids help aid fluid intake, protein synthesis and reduce fatigue.

4) Osmolyte:

In common usage, betaine, an organic osmolyte is used to refer to the compound that was first isolated from beetroots, though it is found widespread among microorganisms, plants, and animals. RRUNN™ Endurance Gel gives you an edge with betaine that safeguards cells against the detrimental effects of extreme temperature, salinity and humidity. Betaine insulates the cells and organs, and ensures that they are constantly receiving optimal hydration.

RRUNN™ Endurance Gel is suitable for athletes across all endurance sports such as running, cycling, football, cricket, hockey, swimming, as well as demanding competitions such as marathons, ultra-marathons, long-distance running, triathlons, and other activities that test your physical and mental strength.

We recommend using RRUNN™ Endurance Gel in conjunction with the rest of our RRUNN™ sports drinks and electrolyte salt capsules, as part of your overall fuelling strategy, to cover your comprehensive start-to-finish needs.