Carbohydrates

Glucose is perhaps the most important of all the carbohydrates. Glucose, the carbohydrate source in Gleukos sports drink, is the most simplified form of energy. The body relies heavily on glucose as a fuel source for activity whether you are exercising or resting; the harder or faster you workout or run, the more glucose you burn. Glucose fuels your body to better your performance and enhance alertness. When glucose levels decline, your body cannot ignore this and leads to impaired athletic performance.

All sources of energy (food); proteins, carbohydrates or fats must be transformed into glucose prior to entering the cells of the body to provide energy. Fats and proteins are not a good sources of immediate energy; they must undergo complicated digestive and metabolic processes prior to supplying the working body with energy. Carbohydrates other than glucose must also undergo prolonged digestive processes prior to entering the bloodstream. For example, complex carbohydrates (vegetables) will release glucose very slowly into the bloodstream, while simple carbohydrates (bread) will release glucose at a much faster rate. This is why consumption of glucose during times of high energy demand is very important; if other foods are consumed, the body must expend time and energy to convert them into the body's preferred energy standard, glucose.

In fact, after drinking glucose, absorption into the blood stream is more than double the rate that the body can produce from its own storage forms. Ingestion of carbohydrate during exercise (in beverage form) leads to enhanced performance during longer, moderate to intense exercise. However, it is important to understand the effect on performance varies dependant on the type of carbohydrate consumed.

Key Points:

Digestion of Energy Sources: Key Points

• All fuel sources must be transformed into glucose for use by the body, a process that takes time and energy, a detriment to performance
• The body relies heavily on glucose as a fuel source for activity
• When glucose levels decline, the body cannot ignore this and performance is affected

Storage Forms of Energy & Replacement: Key Points

• Mobilization of stored energy (glycogen) takes time & energy
• Depletion of blood sugar (glucose) leads to impaired athletic performance
• Replacement of blood sugar (glucose) enhances performance

Glucose vs. Fructose: Key Points

• Fructose is poorly absorbed by humans, and enters the blood stream very slowly
• Poor absorption of fructose (ex. high fructose corn syrup) can lead to gas, bloating and diarrhea
• Fructose uses precious energy when metabolized, taxes the body of vitamins and minerals, and raises triglycerides, a form of fat in the blood

Glucose vs. Sucrose: Key Points

• High sucrose intake is associate with cavities, obesity and increased fat in the blood (triglycerides)
• Sucrose is much sweeter tasting than glucose
• Sucrose must undergo digestion before assimilation into the bloodstream

Glucose vs. Maltodextrin: Key Points

• Maltodextrin is synthetically created
• Maltodextrin must undergo digestion before it can be assimilated for energy