Development of a Low-fructose Carbohydrate Gel for Exercise Application

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2024 Jul 23

PMID 39040322

Authors

Isabel G Martinez

Michael J Houghton

Matteo Forte

Gary Williamson

Jessica R Biesiekierski

Ricardo J S Costa

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a low-fructose (<3 g/serve) carbohydrate (CHO) gel for athletes. Various prototypes with 30 g CHO/serve and differing water content (12 %, 21 %, 32 %, 39 % w/v) were created and evaluated for sensory attributes. The final gel contained 62.1 ± 0.2 g CHO/100 g with 0.17 % fructose. Endurance athletes (n = 20) underwent a feeding-challenge protocol, ingesting 30 g gel every 20 min during 2 h of running (60 % Omax), followed by a 1 h self-paced distance test. Blood glucose increased significantly from baseline (4.0 ± 0.9 vs. 6.6 ± 0.6 mmol/L, < 0.001) and remained elevated after the distance test (4.9 ± 0.7 mmol/L, < 0.05). Breath hydrogen levels increased (5 ± 4 ppm, < 0.05) without substantial CHO malabsorption detected. Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) increased during exercise but were mild. The low-fructose CHO gel demonstrated good tolerance, promoting glucose availability without severe GIS or CHO malabsorption.

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