Elite Drink Mix 320

Endurance activities are always challenging because of longer hours and as the hours roll on, our body demands more energy. As the demand for energy starts to increase, the body simply cannot process fats quickly enough to meet demand and so the use of glucose becomes gradually more predominant. Unlike fat, glucose, in the form of glycogen is stored in exceptionally limited quantities. During high-intensity endurance exercise or performance, glycogen can become severely depleted and energy levels drop significantly, and subsequently, the pace of exercise/performance drops significantly.

Consuming exogenous sources of carbohydrates provides an alternative source of carbohydrates to fuel energy. Therefore, athletes often load them with carbohydrates in the form of carbohydrate sources like sugar-loaded foods or glucose-based sports nutrition products to meet their energy demands in between the races. However, ingesting higher amounts of carbohydrates can create an “over-dose” effect, which can impair performance and affect endurance capacity.

This is because while we can consume any amount of carbohydrates in an hour, we can only oxidize and absorb a very specific amount. The human body at its maximum capacity can only transport glucose at a rate of 1 gram per minute resulting in 60 grams per hour because there is a bottleneck within the human digestive tract that limits the amount of glucose that could enter the bloodstream to be sent to the muscle for energy. The glucose transporter called SGLT-1 in the intestine becomes saturated at 60 grams/hour and is thus unable to transport excess glucose in the intestinal into the blood. This leads to excess glucose in the intestinal tract which sets off a chain of unpleasant experiences some of which manifest in the form of GI distress, stomach, and abdominal pain, and result in athletes slowing down or dropping out due to severe discomfort [2].

Therefore, with the desire to deliver the maximum hourly caloric intake via carbohydrates, while also reducing potential GI stress during long training sessions, long grueling races, and long activities at challenging climatic conditions, we developed Unived Drink Mix 160 with a 2:1 ratio of carbohydrates with supporting ingredients like electrolytes, osmolyte, and others.

The Unived Elite Drink Mix 320 is a specially formulated sports drink that provides a balanced combination of simple and complex carbohydrates. Each serving contains 53.3 grams of glucose (as maltodextrin) and 26.6 grams of isomaltulose, resulting in a total of 80 grams of carbohydrates and 320 kcal. In addition to carbohydrates, this drink mix contains 1705mg of essential electrolytes.

The purpose of Unived Elite Drink Mix 320 is to fill the fuel tank and set you up for the long haul. By maintaining optimal energy and fluid uptake levels, this isotonic sports drink helps you stay focused on your endurance goals. The electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride, replace the salts lost from your body, support muscle protein synthesis, aid in fluid absorption, and prevent muscle cramps.

Our product utilizes a concept known as “multiple transportable carbohydrate absorption” to optimize its performance. Glucose is the preferred source of fuel because it can be readily processed by the muscles once it enters the bloodstream. On the other hand, fructose follows a different and longer pathway through the liver before it is converted into glucose. This delay in fructose absorption occurs because it uses a different pathway called GLUT-5. The absorption of fructose through this pathway is slower, which means it becomes available for use when the absorption of glucose through the SGLT-1 pathway reaches its maximum capacity.

Research suggests that when the SGLT-1 transporter becomes saturated with glucose, it leads to an increase in fructose absorption. This allows for the maximum utilization of carbohydrates per hour [1]. To achieve this optimal absorption, our product maintains a 2:1 ratio of glucose to fructose. This ratio ensures that the body’s glucose absorption threshold, which is known to be 60 grams per hour, is not exceeded. The remaining 30 grams per hour of carbohydrate fuel is provided by the fructose component at a rate of 0.5 grams per minute. In total, our product delivers 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour.

Furthermore, the 2:1 ratio of glucose to fructose also enhances the utilization of lactate in active muscle fibers. This serve as additional fuel for the skeletal muscles during exercise. Additionally, this ratio promotes a healthy gastrointestinal system by reducing abdominal cramps and improving gastrointestinal distress. This is achieved through faster absorption of carbohydrates in the intestines. Moreover, it enhances performance and increases intestinal water absorption by 65% compared to glucose alone [3].

Electrolytes:

1. Sodium:

• Sodium works closely with Chloride and redirects precious fluids to the cells and tissues
• Prevents ‘gut bomb’ effect (vomiting during races)
• Prevents hyponatremia (nausea, fatigue, and confusion)

1. Chloride:

• Regulates the body-water balance and helps to retain water.
• Limits the loss of hydration reserves lost to sweat and urine.
• Maintains the necessary volume of fluids in the blood.

1. Magnesium:

• Proper transmission of nerve impulses.
• Helps muscular contraction and energy production.

1. Potassium:

• Works closely with sodium and chloride in maintaining hydration.
• Helps in generating nerve impulses in the nerves and muscles.
• Enhances performance.