Replenishing energy during long exercise is a real science. Our body can cope with really long loads, but over time its performance starts to decline significantly. For this reason, we need to continuously replenish energy at every opportunity. This applies especially to endurance athletes. It doesn't matter if you are cycling, running, participating in various extreme races or doing something else entirely. Endurance athletes really need to take care with their energy replenishment, as having enough energy is what determines their performance. In this comparison, we have therefore looked at the best energy gels and drinks on the market. As well as value for money, we took into account how practical they are to use during performance, how well they are digestible and how long they keep you energised.
The 9 best energy gels and drinks
| Ranking | Image | Product | Main advantages | Price | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
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Extrifit Express Energy Gel | One dose per pack, Before and during performance, Energy gel | $27,92 | Best price More information |
| 2. |
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Extrifit Iontex Forte | 30 doses per pack, Before and during performance, Instant drink | $15,56 | Best price More information |
| 3. |
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BioTechUSA Energy Gel PRO | One dose per pack, Before and during performance, Energy gel | Best price More information | |
| 4. |
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Prom-In Supreme Iont Drink | 120 doses per pack, During performance, Instant drink | $13,40 | Best price More information |
| 5. |
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Extrifit Regel | One dose per pack, During and especially after exercise, Energy gel | $0,98 | Best price More information |
| 6. |
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Extrifit iontex liquid | 100 doses per pack, Before and during performance, Instant drink | $13,92 | Best price More information |
| 7. |
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CBD Star Active Adaptogens | One dose per pack, During and after exercise, Energy bar | Best price More information | |
| 8. |
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Vilgain Energy Bar BIO | One dose per pack, During performance, Energy gel | Best price More information | |
| 9. |
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Vilgain Tribulus | 50 doses, Before and during exercise, Instant drink | $15,96 | Best price More information |
Detailed analysis of energy gels and drinks
Our ranking of the best energy gels and drinks is opened by Express Energy Gel from Extrifit. It earned the first place thanks to its great price/quality ratio. Each serving of this gel contains 36 grams of carbohydrates, a bunch of minerals, taurine and also caffeine. It is a perfect source of energy before or during a hard workout. Thanks to the gel consistency, you won't have a problem digesting it easily, and thus all the energy will start to be released within about 20 minutes.
Benefits:
- Perfect price/quality ratio
- High content of carbohydrates and other active ingredients
- Easy to use
- Low price compared to other gels
Disadvantages:
- Contains somewhat controversial preservatives
About the Manufacturer:
Looking for supplements that are made to meet the demands of the best athletes who definitely don't take training lightly? In that case, you must have already come across the Extrifit brand. The brand prides itself on the fact that its products are definitely not for everyone, but only for the true hard workers. All the supplements of this company meet the highest quality requirements, which is why you can often see them in our trials.
- 24 grams of dextrose
- 8 g maltodextrin
- 4 g isumaltulose
- 2 g taurine
- 735 mg of minerals
The basis of this energy gel is, of course, carbohydrates. Specifically, it is mainly dextrose (glucose or grape sugar) and maltodextrin. The former is a monosaccharide that is released very quickly, while the latter is a polysaccharide, so it is released gradually over a longer period of time. It's this combination that makes Express Energy Gel kick you up quite quickly and subsequently keep you energized for a longer period of time. It also has the advantage of containing minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium) and taurine along with caffeine. The result is an extremely effective energy gel that gives you the perfect kick before and during exercise. The only problem I see is the content of the controversial preservative sodium benzoate and the colouring agent carmine.While both substances are allowed in the EU, I'm sure more suitable alternatives could be found.
Final assessment:
Express Energy Gel is a great source of energy that is guaranteed to help you overcome an energy crisis during exercise. It will also give you a kick up the backside before a performance. As for the price, it is in the average range. However, due to the exemplary composition and very simple use, it is the best example of great value for money.
In our ranking of the best energy gels and drinks, we must not miss Iontex Forte from Extrifit. In fact, it is an ionic drink with an extremely wide spectrum of minerals and vitamins. At the same time, it also contains dextrose and maltodextrin, so it can very effectively provide the body with energy. It is especially suitable for consumption before and after training.
Benefits:
- Wide spectrum of minerals and vitamins
- Convenient price
- Possibility to dilute it according to your own needs
- Great taste
Disadvantages:
- Need to dissolve in lots of water - fills the belly
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12.6 grams of dextrose
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1.8 g maltodextrin
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1 g palatinose
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650 mg of minerals
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Wide spectrum of vitamins
The composition of Iontex Forte is primarily aimed at replenishing vitamins and minerals, after all it is primarily an ionic drink. That is why there is a high content of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, but also vitamins C, E and B vitamins. There is also a fair amount of dextrose (glucose) and maltodextrin, so a classic combination of fast and gradually releasing sugar. Iontex Forte also contains 250 mg of taurine for better nutrient transport to the muscles and for maximum concentration.
Final assessment:
The main advantages of Iontex forte are the low price and the possibility to dilute it according to your own needs. The disadvantage compared to energy gels is that it makes you more satiated when ingested. Likewise, it is less practical in terms of storage, however, this is a problem that falls away, for example, in the gym. Ultimately, we can definitely recommend it highly to anyone who needs a proper energy boost during a workout.Iontex Forte also appeared in our ranking of the best ionic drinks.
The next place went to Energy GEL Pro from BioTechUSA. What made us interested? First of all, its great composition and very simple dosage. It contains a good dose of carbohydrates, taurine, L-arginine, minerals and MCT oil. It is a great source of quick energy suitable for cycling or a longer run, for example.
Benefits:
- Great ingredients
- Easy to use
- Perfect source of energy
Disadvantages:
- Really high price
About the Manufacturer:
Probably no one would imagine a company from Hungary delivering sports supplements all over Europe under the name BioTechUSA. But Ferenc Lévai, the founder of the company, was of the opinion that for marketing purposes it would be advantageous to replace the original name JLM Power Line with something more appealing. The BioTechUSA brand has since undergone a major evolution and is now one of the largest suppliers of supplements in Europe.
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7.8 g of glucose
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7.8 g fructose
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4.4 g maltodextrin
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1.2 g MCT oil
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800 mg taurine
In addition to the classic combination of fast and slow sugars , Energy GEL Pro also contains MCT oil, which we wrote about in our article focused on smart drugs. It is a fast energy source that supports proper brain functioning. At the same time, we find taurine to improve strength and muscular endurance, L-arginine to increase hormone and nitric oxide production during training, and L-carnitine as a source of energy during training.
Final assessment:
Energy GEL Pro from BioTechUSA is a very good product that has a really high quality and effective formula. Its biggest problem is the high price, which exceeds some competing products several times over. It is therefore questionable whether it is worth spending so much money on a similar product. There are cheaper alternatives of similar or even higher quality on the market (see previous products). However, if you don't mind spending a little more on supplements, you definitely won't be disappointed.
The next place was taken by Supreme Iont Drink from Prom-IN. It, like Extrifit Iontex Forte, belongs to the category of ionic drinks and thanks to its composition has a perfect energizing effect. Its great advantage is also a very friendly price, as it is the cheapest product in the whole ranking.
Benefits:
- Convenient price
- Perfect taste
- Possibility to dilute it as desired
Disadvantages:
- Need to dissolve in lots of water - fills the belly
About the Manufacturer:
Prom-IN has built a reputation on the Czech market as a very high quality supplement manufacturer that can be relied on. It offers supplements of all kinds - from proteins, to BCAAs and minerals, to protein porridge. All of them are united by high quality and affordable price. That's why you can also find Prom-IN products in most of our comparisons.
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83 mg of L-carnitine
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41.5 mg of taurine
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41.5 mg of L-glutamine
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24.9 mg potassium
Unfortunately, this time the manufacturer does not list the amount of maltodextrin as the only oligosaccharide in the ingredients. On the other hand, we know that all of the minerals contained (potassium, magnesium, calciumphosphorus) are present in very usable forms, which is a big plus. We also find a good dose of B vitamins, taurine, L-carnitine and L-glutamine. Ultimately, we have to rate the composition very positively.
Final assessment:
Supreme Ion Drink is a great choice for anyone looking for a quality source of energy for a workout that they don't have to spend too much money on. Plus, it tastes really good, so you won't get sick of it after a week. However, we would have appreciated a slightly wider range of carbohydrates and information about their exact amount. The common disadvantage of all ionic drinks is that you have to carry them around in a big bottle. This is understandably quite impractical compared to an energy gel, however if you're training indoors or cycling this may not be a problem.
Next we have Regel from Extrifit, which is specific in that it is intended primarily as a post-workout supplement. Thus, it is suitable for participants of longer races divided into several stages, between which there is a short time for recovery. Regel contains a combination of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates that will help you overcome fatigue even after the most demanding exercise.
Benefits:
- Effectively helps with recovery
- Combination of a large number of substances in one package
- Convenient dosing
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable as a source of energy before exercise
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10.8 grams of maltodextrin
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2 g BCAA
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1.1 g of minerals
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1 g taurine
At the first glance at the composition of Regel, it is clear that you will find everything you need after a hard workout. One packet hides over 21 grams of slow carbs, a combination of six minerals, aand an anabolic complex containing an even broader spectrum of amino acids. However, given the absence of fast sugars or stimulants (such as caffeine), it's clear that Regel will definitely not work as a pre-exercise energy source, which is something to keep in mind.
Final assessment:
Regel is a very good supplement, which is definitely worth trying after a hard and prolonged exercise. You will appreciate it especially when you need to recharge quickly. While it can also be used during exercise, I would honestly recommend a different product as a source of energy before and during exercise. In terms of price, Regel is in the average category, so the resulting value for money is very good.
Iontex Liquid, also made by Extrifit, should not be missing from our list. It is another instant ionic drink that you can mix exactly according to your needs. It has a wide range of vitamins and minerals, so it is especially suitable for athletes during prolonged exercise.
Benefits:
- Convenient price
- Wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals
- Excellent taste
Disadvantages:
- Lower complex carbohydrate content
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100 mg of L-Carnitine
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60 mg sodium
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50 mg potassium
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2.4 mg vitamin C
Iontex Liquid is a typical ionic liquid in its composition. It hides a bunch of minerals and vitamins in very usable forms. One example for all can be magnesium citrate, which is also known for its energizing effect. As far as carbohydrates are concerned, the manufacturer has relied more on fast sugars in the form of glucose and fructose, while complex carbohydrates are not found here at all. For this reason, it is especially suitable for quick energy replenishment for a short period of time.
Final assessment:
The biggest advantage of Iontex Liquid is undoubtedly its low price, which will be especially appreciated by those athletes who will use it regularly. As far as the composition is concerned, there is certainly nothing to criticize its quality, although it is true that, for example, the presence of maltodextrin or other or other complex carbohydrate would be welcome (Iontex Liquid does contain maltodextrin, but only in a minimal amount as a filler). Taste-wise, there is also nothing to criticize, as it tastes really good and is also available in several flavours.
The following item may seem a little strange. What does the bar do in the ranking of the best energy gels and drinks? Although it doesn't fall into either of these categories by its composition, it fits right in with its purpose. The Voltage Energy Bar from Nutrend is an energy bar that will serve as a great source of energy during prolonged activity. But unlike gels or drinks, it can also fill you up.
Benefits:
- Great taste
- Fills an empty stomach
- Balanced formula
Disadvantages:
- High price
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12.3 mg of vitamin C
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2.6 mg of zinc
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2 mg of vitamin E
Obviously, the composition of the bar will be quite different from a gel or energy drink. Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn't specify the amount of carbohydrates contained, but we can probably do without it. As fast sugars there are glucose and fructose, but we can also find isomaltulose and many sources of slow sugars. Examples are oatmeal, oat bran or rice-potato extrudate. In terms of minerals and vitamins, apart from the aforementioned vitamins C and E and zinc, there is nothing else in the formula. Of course, the individual flavours differ to some extent in their compositionIn all cases, however, the bars are flavoured primarily with natural substances. There is therefore nothing to complain about in terms of composition.
Final assessment:
The energy bar has the disadvantage that you can not simply drink or sip. Likewise, digesting solid food takes more time than digesting a gel or liquid. Therefore, the onset of the delivered energy will also be slightly slower. However, if you are in the middle of a longer endurance race and have the time and space to eat a little something, the Voltage Energy Bar is a great option. When compared to the other products on this list, it is relatively priced high, but considering that it is a bar, the price tag is not exorbitant at all. Ultimately, therefore, we must highly recommend this energy bar from Nutrend.
Slowly but surely we are coming to the end. But before that, we have Gel Durante from Enervit. We were particularly impressed with the formula, designed perfectly for relatively quick to replenish as much energy as possible and last long enough. Personally, I consider the smaller pack size to be an advantage, with the associated simplicityeasier and quicker consumption and the need to drink less water.
Benefits:
- Practical packaging
- Contains a large amount of fast sugars
- Can be diluted with water
Disadvantages:
- High price
About the manufacturer:
The history of this Italian manufacturer dates back to the middle of the last century. Enervit focuses on the production of nutritional supplements for endurance athletes and is currently one of the absolute leaders in our market. All Enervit products are based on detailed research into the functioning of the human body. The company's repertoire is wide enough to cover all the needs of endurance athletes of all kinds. The Enervit brand is also associated with endurance races in our country (for example, the Jizerská 50).
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18.25 mg of glucose
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2.4 mg of vitamin B3
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0.25 mg maltodextrin
From the ingredients it is clear at first glance that Gel Durante is a great source of fast sugars. In fact, only glucose with fructose and a small amount of B vitamins are found in the ingredients. But if you're looking for a quick source of energy that kicks in within minutes, Gel Durante will serve you well. For this reason, it is suitable, for example, for the final phase before the finish. If you wanted to take it throughout the entire race, you would have to take multiple doses, which would of course be reflected in the final price.
Final assessment:
Enervit's Gel Durante is a great aid at the end of longer races. The problem I see is the high price, which exceeds all other products in the whole ranking. This is especially a problem if you really want to take multiple doses of this gel during one race. While the small packaging is practical with regard to use, the small contents of the packet do bring with them the need to take multiple doses. As a result, you will end up paying quite a bit extra for Gel Durante.
Our ranking is rounded off by UniSport from Nutrend. This ionic drink has a relatively simple composition with only a few functional substances. Its advantage is undoubtedly its low price and also its great taste. Like most ionic drinks, UniSport allows you to adjust the ratio of water and concentrate to your own needs.
Advantages:
- Convenient price
- Great taste
- Ability to mix it to your exact requirements
Disadvantages:
- Absence of some useful substances
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100 mg of taurine
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50 mg of L-alanine
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50 mg of L-carnitine
There are no minerals, vitamins, or specific carbohydrate information in the UniSport formula. Taurine, alanine and carnitine are of course not bad, but we would have liked something extra here. In terms of its composition, UniSport can hardly compete with the products that topped this list. We must not forget the presence of acesulfame K, the presence of which is never exactly positive news.
Final assessment:
For fluid replenishment during a tough workout, UniSport works really well. But it is true that when it comes to some energy replenishment it is a bit worse. The problem I see is mainly that the customer has no information about what carbohydrate UniSport contains. But when we take into account the very affordable price, we get to a pretty solid price-quality ratio. Ultimately, UniSport fulfils its role.
What are energy gels and drinks good for?
Anyone who has been playing sports for a while knows the feeling when you feel like you've been working out for a while. gets to the stage where he has almost no energy left, even though he's still a long way from the end of the workout. It doesn't matter if you're cycling, running or going to the gym. We all need energy without exception. As our energy decreases, not only does our performance decrease, but our risk of dangerous injury also increases, as fatigue goes hand in hand with greater inattention. Particularly in endurance sports, it often happens that one needs to replenish some carbohydrates during the performance in order to continue. This is exactly what energy gels and drinks are for.
At this point, one could argue that there is no need to spend money on a gel or special drink to replenish energy. I can have a muesli bar or a piece of fruit and wash it down with water. But the problem is that solid food is (especially during exercise) much harder to digest and takes much longer to actually give us energy. The second problem is that when cycling or during a longer run, it is quite challenging to pull a banana out of your pocket and gradually suck it in. The advantage of energy gels and drinks is that they are extremely practical and, most importantly, effective.
What do energy gels and drinks contain?
Simply saying that energy gels and drinks are great and you should all buy them right away is of course not enough. To assess whether a product like this really makes sense for you, you need to take a good look at what it actually contains. Gels and drinks of this kind are very diverse, so you can find a lot of different substances in them. As a rule, they will contain maltodextrin, as an effective source of gradually released energy, or fructose or another source of carbohydrates. Quite often, they also contain various stimulants that serve to give you a good boost and help you concentrate. Examples include caffeine, taurine, tyrosine or beta-alanine.
During prolonged exercise, the body loses quite a lot of energy through sweating.of minerals that are essential for the body to function properly. That is why it is advisable to continuously replenish them during exercise. For this reason, a large number of energy gels and drinks also contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium or phosphorus.
Which energy gel or drink to choose?
Before you decide to buy an energy gel or drink, you need to be clear about what you expect from it. Better said, you need to know what occasion you want to use it for. This is because some gels and drinks are suitable for long term performance, while others are designed to overcome a lack of energy for a short period of time. This, of course, is reflected in their composition, which in turn determines the amount of energy replenished and, above all, the time it takes to release it. If you are in the final phase of a longer race, where you need all the energy you can get for a breathtaking finish, an energy drink that releases a small amount of energy for the next hour will do you no good. On the other hand, at the beginning of a similar race, you won't appreciate an energy gel that will give you a huge kick in a moment, but after twenty minutes, the effect will be all there.
Who should reach for them and when?
Although energy gels and drinks are extremely useful in certain situations, it doesn't mean that you need to consume them during every workout. The truth is that unless you are involved in an endurance sport, you are not going to be in for someor a really demanding workout, for example, you can easily do without something like this. In this context, it is necessary to distinguish energy gels and drinks from pre-workouts. While energy gels and drinks are intended for use during exercise (or duringbefore a shorter workout, for example in a race), pre-workouts have their place before strength training. Their composition is largely different and hence their use is different. If you want to learn more about pre-workouts, check out our ranking of the best pre-workouts.
Which form is best?
You may be wondering if there is any fundamental difference in an energy gel and an energy drink. To make things more interesting, we might as well mix in energy bars. As a rule, there is not much difference in composition between a gel and a drink (apart from the water content), whereas bars naturally contain other substances (often flakes, for example). At first glance, it is obvious that the bars will only be useful for longer exercise sessions, during which you will also get really hungry. If you need to fill up quickly, a bar like this is a great choice as it is easily digestible and also gives you plenty of energy.
In most cases, however, you should reach for a gel or drink. These differ primarily in content. A gel is much more concentrated and therefore does not fill you up as much. This is a big advantage, for example, when running, when you don't want to have a lot of water gurgling around in your stomach. While it is true that you have to drink the energy gel as well, the final volume is still much smaller than in the case of a drink.
Is there any other way to replenish the energy?
Finally, we can consider the question of whether there is any other way to provide the body with energy during training. Actually, we already kind of answered it in the introduction. If you don't have an energy gel or your favourite drink to hand, you can simply have a piece of fruit and a drink of plain water. There's nothing wrong with that, of course. The problem is that it will take a while for the energy taken in this way to be released. But if you are, for example, finishing your workout, this is a perfectly fine choice. Or if you feel that you could use some energy before a workout, but you don't want to go into the actualthere's still an hour to go before your workout, there's no need to reach for an energy gel right away. In this respect, it is necessary to distinguish between classic energy supplementation and the need for an energy gel.the need to replenish energy in a specific time interval with minimal strain on digestion.
Sources
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19 Healthy and Energizing Snacks. Healthline: Medical information and health advice you can trust [online]. Copyright © 2005. Available from: https: //www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-energizing-snacks