What are energy gels?
Energy gels are designed to top up your depleted carbohydrate stores during and before those long training runs and events. The simple sugars in energy gels are rapidly absorbed into your blood stream as glucose, giving you an energy boost. The liquid form, like a concentrated energy drink is easily digestible and delivers energy where it needs to be quickly to prevent and reduce fatigue which occurs when carbohydrate stores are depleted.
What are the ingredients of energy gels?
Reasonably priced and easy to carry energy gels can also provide additional performance benefits. Some contain caffeine which helps to dilate blood vessels, speeding up delivery of energy to the body and cognitive factors such as alertness. Some energy gels contain additional electrolytes, particularly useful in hot weather or if you sweat a lot to replace lost minerals. Variety of flavours can provide additional vitamins and antioxidants to boost immune system and help remove waste products.
Although gels don’t agree with everyone they are often a staple for marathon runners and definitely worth a try.
