Created for daily training and competition, GU Energy Gel packs energy-dense calories in a portable packet to help sustain energy demands of any duration or activity. The 100-calorie packet contains carbohydrates (maltodextrin and fructose) that use non-competing pathways to help maximize carbohydrate absorption and utilization while diminishing stomach distress. Sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, aids in hydration by maintaining water balance. The branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, isoleucine) may reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage.
HOW TO USE GU GELS
Rip open the top and squeeze the entire packet into your mouth—don’t save half of it for later. GU’s recipe of carbohydrates and amino acids was created to be taken in one shot to provide you with maximum benefits. For optimum results, always drink at least 24-30 ounces (0.7-0.85 litres) of fluid per hour during training and racing. Exact GU intake depends on the intensity of your pursuit and your body weight and fitness level. The fitter you are and the more efficient your metabolism, the more GU you can eat each hour, up to approximately 340 calories every 60 minutes.
HOW MANY GU GELS SHOULD I EAT?
GU energy gels are limited to 100 calories because, in general, the body can digest roughly 350 calories per hour during exercise. If you tried to eat more, the body would divert blood from your muscles— say “buh-bye” to a personal record—to handle the excess food. If your metabolism is slow, then one GU every 45 minutes works fine. If you have an athlete’s metabolism, try ingesting one GU every 30 minutes and see if it agrees with you.
HOW LONG DOES GU TAKE TO WORK?
The fructose converts quickly into an energy molecule that your muscles can tap within minutes. The maltodextrin, which makes up 70-80% of the carbohydrate blend (depending on flavor), takes several minutes longer. Because of this delay, your muscles enjoy a steady stream of energy instead of one gigantic sugar rush and a corresponding crash.
HOW DOES THE CAFFEINE IN GU HELP ME?
GU Energy Gel comes in both caffeinated and non-caffeinated flavors. Strawberry Banana, Lemon Lime, Peanut Butter, and Root Beer do not have any caffeine in them. Mandarin Orange, Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Outrage, Triberry, Tastefully Nude, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Salted Watermelon all have 20mg of caffeine per packet. GU’s Espresso Love, Caramel Macchiato, and Jet Blackberry flavors have 40mg of caffeine. Caffeine consumption during exercise improves performance in several ways: it sharpens focus and perks you up; but more importantly, it helps the body produce more power, reduce the pain of hard efforts, and may even tap fat for fuel during exercise. All of this prolongs your ability to exercise at a high intensity. We use just enough caffeine to jump start this benefit and no more.
