Today, we'd like to introduce two studies on our blog that compare natural foods and dietary supplements.
Study 1 - Potatoes vs. Energy Gel
Let's get straight to the point! This study shows that consuming potatoes (real food) is just as effective as using energy gels. Of course, the amount of carbohydrates in a gel is more concentrated than in a potato. That means you would need to eat more potatoes to get the same amount of carbohydrates. This might not be for everyone and can pose a challenge.
But here's the good news - you can now confidently replace the one or other gel with our RabbitFuel Pouches. This way, you can enjoy delicious, savory meals and experience a wider variety of tastes on your adventure. Plus, you'll feel pleasantly satiated and won't hear your stomach growling. Our hearty meals ensure that your blood sugar levels don't fluctuate as much as with pure sugar as a carbohydrate source.
Study 2 - Real Ingredients
This investigation is divided into three sections, examining the impact of carbohydrates on performance before, during, and after physical activities. It's a meta-study comparing potatoes, rice, lentils, pasta, bananas, raisins, and honey with various unspecified dietary supplements.
Let's first look at the general findings before comparing the pros and cons:
General findings:
- Natural foods can be just as effective in enhancing your performance as "optimized" dietary supplements.
- For short recovery times of less than 4 hours, evidence suggests that carbohydrates with a high glycemic index (GI) are better for performance as they provide energy more quickly.
- For longer recovery times of over 24 hours, the total amount of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight is crucial - the more, the better, regardless of GI.
- To enhance your performance, it is advisable to consume carbohydrate-rich foods before a run.
- Low GI foods seem to provide their energy over a longer period.
Pros and Cons of Natural Foods:
Advantages:
- Natural foods contain not only carbohydrates but also protein, fiber, and other essential micronutrients.
- They are more cost-effective and readily available everywhere.
- They provide better satiety.
Disadvantages:
- It's harder to get the same amount of carbohydrates from natural foods compared to supplements.
- Depending on the season and location, natural foods may have variations in their nutrient composition.
- Consuming large amounts of food during exercise can lead to stomach issues.
Conclusion:
Admittedly, some of these findings are not groundbreaking, but they show that we are on the right track when it comes to enjoying real meals made from natural foods. So, you don't have to rely exclusively on sugary gels to sustain yourself during longer adventures.
With our RabbitFuel Pouches, you can now take delicious, healthy meals with you to maintain your performance in the long run. So, you can confidently replace the one or other gel with our products and increase the variety of your taste experiences.
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