Alimentation

Test: Isostar Pro Energy Gel

Details

Parent Category: Alimentation

Category: Isostad

Published on Thursday, 16 July 2009 08:25

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Isostar, a company founded in 1977 and now belongs to the group Nutrition and Santè, deals with nutrition and sports integration. Isostar has always dedicated to research, first supporting a dedicated research center at the University of Limburg, near Maastricht, Netherlands and then to have its own research center. In recent years it has developed its own code of ethics (contract anti-doping) on the production of its concerns with the company to certify that their products are not in any way or illicit drugs, which are used for the preparation of supplements, only food that all products are tested by independent bodies and that samples are regularly analyzed and the control samples stored for a year so that the anti-doping authorities in case of disputes, can analyze.

Isostar’s Products

For the Italian market Isostar distributes "Fast Hydration Powertabs" and "Hydrate & Perform", isotonic dietetic products for athletes, "High Energy", energy bars fruit, "High Protein", energy bars whith protein, "Long Energy", energy food supplement with vitamins. In addition, the gel sugar "Pro Energy Gel" and fruit gels "High Energy Acti food."

The product on test: Pro Energy Gel 

The Pro Energy Gel is a gel sugar produced in two flavours: lemon and apple, in packs of 4 bags of 35 grams. The gel contains sugar, in addition to carbohydrates, vitamin C also develop vitamin B1; absent lipids and proteins. This is the specific composition, declared from the house, per 100 grams of product and 35 grams, which is a sachet:

Average nutritional values 100 g-------------------------------35 g
Energy------------------------326kcal----------------------------116kcal
Protein------------------------ Absent-----------------------------Absent
Carbohydrates---------------81,5 g-------------------------------29 g
Fats---------------------------- Absent----------------------------- Absent
Vitamin C--------------------34 mg---------------------------------11,9 mg (20% RDA*)
Vitamin B1-------------------0,79 mg------------------------------0,28 mg (20% RDA*)
*RDA= Recommended Daily Ration

The test

Given the limited amount of product available as we followed our usual protocol to test for food supplements. In this case we have always used the services of some testers, but without the possibility of implementing a protocol. For tester was then asked to perform an intense workout, without taking food supplements and hydration with plain water. We monitored the performance, power and heart rate by the Polar CS 600 Power ciclocomputer. At a time when energy was lacking, a situation recognized by a reduction in heart beats, and especially the power developed, the athletes took the product Isostar Pro Energy Gel, of course, knew only that it was a gel sugar and did not know the name product and its actual composition. It was then asked to identify their feelings, then comparing them with the ability to return to good levels of performance by analyzing the increase of power developed.

The result of the test

The athletes were judged, overall, successful product and its effectiveness, but with some important differences. First of all they have judged the taste and the ease of borrowing very good, but his assimilation has been very different depending on the athlete. While some have taken a good quantity, with no problems, others have warned a number intestinal discomfort. These, however, does not have occurred, with a more moderate intake of the product. The intake and its tolerance on the part of the subject made it there were also significant differences in actual absorption of the product and bring real benefit in performance for athletes at good levels. In this case we have detected a time variables between 10 minutes and 30 minutes, this space of time is a function of dose, the child was, the more rapid was the absorption and tolerability of the subject to the product, the better been and was more rapid absorption. All, however, after the necessary period for the assimilation of the product were able to improve its performance, returning to power levels developed, though not, of course, the initial levels of training.

Comments to test

The test has exposed its strengths and weaknesses of the product, first of its effectiveness and ability to offer the athlete a sound reintegration of energy. But this was not immediately available and the time between his appointment and when energy is actually available varies greatly depending n athlete and intake. To get the best benefit from this product is taken in small doses and at regular intervals, so as to allow a slow but steady assimilation, proportional to the amount of energy required by the athletic effort. It 'a product that is taken not when the energies are lacking, but before, perhaps alternating with a good integrator saline water. In so doing, not only the body has a good hydration but also an excellent integration of carbohydrates.

Considerations on product

Isostar Pro Energy Gel has proven to be a good supplement, but it should be no doubt experienced a problem in training before a possible recruitment in the race. Its tolerability and ease of assimilation is very variable on the basis that the athlete can easily take with large doses and have a rapid take-up, as far not tolerate this practice, leading to a series of disturbances that can slow the performance sport. Established its usefulness as an undoubted carbohydrate, should be carefully evaluated doses and timing of recruitment so that each athlete can find the right balance to achieve maximum performance. The best solution, accepted unanimously by all the testers, was the recruitment of small doses of gel at a distance of about 10 minutes of each other. In this case it appears the only new product, its package without a cap closure that would better facilitate the determination.

Conclusions

Isostar Pro Energy Gel is valid and effective, affordable for all and a pleasant taste in the mouth. His appointment as integrator of carbohydrates is valid and effective, but it should be first tested in training. Indeed, it is a product whose assimilation and effectiveness depends very much on the safety of the subject. In general, small doses taken at regular intervals are tolerated by all with large and obvious benefits. That is why he feels the lack of a cap on the package, which would help the most sensitive in determining the best product lengthening the recruitment of the product comes in a pack in more laps.

The price

The company did not release the price.

Is suitable for

It is a product suitable for all those engaged in physical activity for a long time

Positive aspects

Taste
Effectiveness
Tolerability
Speed of assimilation

Negative aspects

Lacks a stopper to reseal the package

For further informations:

Nutrition and Santè
Website: www.isostar.com

Test carried out in collaboration with: