Perple founder, Jason Baits-Tomlin lifts the lid on sports nutrition for Endurance Athletes.

The world of sports nutrition for endurance athletes can be confusing and contradictory. Questions like “Can this bar really be healthy with all of this added sugar?” and “How is this product any different from the others on the market?” are extremely common. The range of options available, and their supposed benefits, can be a dizzying minefield.

There are numerous barriers to effective performance fuelling that mean you rarely, if ever, get the results you want or that they claim. Here are the three most common:

 

1.Ultra-Processed Nutrition Products Are Hard To Get Down and Cause Stomach Upsets.

One of the worst things about many carb-containing bars, energy gels and powders, is that they’re synthetic and not very appetising. Some also neglect the importance of taking the right amounts of water together with them. If you don’t, they’ll be hard to digest, and your body won’t efficiently convert them to energy. In the worst case, you’ll be left with severe stomach problems.

When you’re in the thick of an endurance challenge, it’s vital that your fuel tastes great, is easy to digest and doesn’t give you any undesired side effects. The last thing you want when you’re up a mountain or halfway through an endurance run is the additional challenge of getting through a dense and unappetising gel, followed by an upset stomach! Steer clear of any sports nutrition products which look, feel and taste synthetic, and are vague on accompanying water intake guidelines.

 

2. An Unbalanced Approach To Carbs.

When it comes to sports fuel, carbohydrates are vital. The body breaks down this macronutrient into glucose for immediate energy. When glucose levels begin running low, the body will turn to fats as the next reserve of energy. However, fats metabolise 50% slower than carbs which means that power, concentration and efficiency are reduced.

But when in the middle of an endurance challenge, you must have the right balance of carbohydrates to give you constant energy. To rely on fast-release carbs alone, will give you a quick pop of energy and then a crash. Relying on just complex carbs can stifle your body’s ability to access energy on demand. So, for fuel to be at its most effective, it should balance fast and slow-release carbs to maximise your endurance capacity.

 

3. Added Chemical Compounds.

Many products include added compounds like vitamins, with the claim of enhancing your endurance performance. Yet, in examining the scientific literature, there is little evidence to support their claim of performance enhancement. What’s more, there is strong mounting evidence that supplementation can weaken your performance and excess doses could be harmful to your health. Here’s an example: During endurance challenges, athletes are exposed to oxidative stress which can create muscle fatigue. In response, many sports nutrition products add anti-oxidants to combat this issue. However, research shows that supplementation of Vitamins A, C and E can weaken the body’s biological systems to cope with oxidative stress. The result is that your capacity for endurance will suffer.

Here at perple, we are the next generation of sports nutrition & hydration. Each Perple product provides all-natural energy and rehydration for endurance athletes and sports enthusiasts. We’re here to help you go faster, further, higher, harder, and happier than you’ve ever gone before. Our science-led approach ensures that you get the right blend of nutrients you need to perform at your peak for longer, in a delicious and naturally refreshing format. Not only that, we guide you on how much to use, based on the type, intensity and duration of your exercise or sport. There is no longer a need to endure ultra-processed energy supplements. Perple is here to prove that it’s pleasure that really enhances performance, not pain.

 

Author: Jason Baits-Tomlin