Maurten Gel - Questions. You decide.
What's the deal with Maurten that Kipchoge is using?
I started reviewing the technology that the Swedish company is using to make this innovative product. They've taken Maltodextrin and Fructose and packed it into a jello like substance that theoretically passes into the small intestine for absorption. That's the simple version. As I hunted around for reviews I found this one that does a great job explaining it: http://www.unbonk.com/product-reviews/the-maurten-hydrogels-review/
After reading this I was left with the following questions to ponder:
- Maltodextrin is an inexpensive carbohydrate and is advertise in sports nutrition products as leaving the gut quickly. That's true. But can it enter the small intestine without pulling water from serum to lower the osmotic load? Does putting it this hydrogel fix that problem?
- Sodium chloride is the salt used. A buffered version of salt or sodium citrate is easier to absorb.
- Utility. How does one mix these bottles ahead of time and drink them cold? We don't have a guy on a bike delivering cold bottles of fuel every mile.
- If taste fatigue from too much sweetness sets in how do you get around that in a race?
- Cost. The gels are around $4 and the drink sachets are around $3 each.
- If you are not racing at the intensity of Kipchoge do you need this type of fuel delivery?
I'd be curious if anyone has tried it? If so, did you go faster ? Sorry I had to say it. 😉
Tagged:
0
Comments
I used the Maurten 160 drink mix in a Olympic distance race at the end of July. I had it on my bike in one bottle and an electrolyte mix in another bottle. Other than a couple of waffles 3 hours before the race, that is all I consumed.
Compared to an Olympic tri I did two weeks prior, I didn’t suffer as much GI distress (a very common problem for me that I’m trying to figure out before I do a half next year). I also was faster and felt a bit better on the run, even though the previous race (my first ever Olympic tri) I took in a few more gels and more calories. The first tri was a lot hotter though.
That being said, it does not taste well warm. The taste is neutral. I don’t know if I’ll use again, but I’m still looking for a better solution.
Good questions @Sheila Leard. Biology and chemistry are way outside my major but I'm following intently for the other experts to opine.