Alimentation

On test: Sponser Liquid Energy Plus

Details

Parent Category: Alimentation

Category: Sponser

Published on Friday, 05 March 2010 07:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Handy sugar gel and easy to use, and its complete formula is easily absorbed, but above all effective

Sponser’s Range

Sponser Enery consists of a considerable number of products adapted and tuned for endurance sports. The range includes a set of different products that cover all phases of food competition: pre race, race after race. So we have energy bars, with different compositions, more or less protein, maltodextrin, sugar gel, still in various sizes and compositions, proteins and solutions for the recovery after the race, minerals and supplements hydro/coal/salt etc. for the race. There is no lack of interest then other products, such as vials of caffeine or packs of muesli.

The product on test: Liquid Energy Plus

Liquid Energy Plus is an energy supplement in liquid form, consisting of carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, caffeine, taurine and vitamins. Carbohydrates are of the type used to slow and fast absorption, thus providing energy in the short and long term, while sodium and potassium, as well as integrating the loss of minerals held with perspiration, helps the absorption of sugar in the body. Caffeine increases the metabolism of fats and concentration, while taurine improves cardiac efficiency. Liquid Energy Plus is available in two different packages: in collapsible tubes from 70 grams, or in sachets of 30 grams. The taste is unique, similar to honey.

This composition declared by Sponser:

Average analysis per 100g ------------- analysis average one pack (30 gr)
Energy value 300 kcal (1275 kJ) ------- 90 kcal (375 kJ)
Carbohydrates 75 gr---- ----------------- 22 gr
Protein 0 gr -------------------------------- 0 gr
Fat 0 gr ------------------------------------- 0 gr
Niacin 12.8 mg ---------------------------- 3.9 mg
Riboflamina B2 0.4 mg ------------------- 1.1 mg
Pantothenic acid 4.3 mg ------------------ 1.3 mg
B6 2.9 mg ----------------------------------- 0.9 mg

Values for dose of 70 grams (tube)
Sodium 50 mg
Potassium 66 mg
Taurine 300 mg
Inositol 13 mg
Caffeine 22 mg

Test

The small sample of products available has prevented us to run tests complete and therefore we have not conducted the instrumental analysis of the effectiveness of the product, as done in other occasions. We were able to test two different packages of Liquid Energy Plus, sachets and tubes of 30 grams from 70 grams. In both cases, the taste, the only available, and actually sweet honey-like, was tolerable and pleasant. In the form of liquid gel, with high temperatures, which reduced consistence maintains a uniform, but not too much liquid, so as to facilitate the use and recruitment. The tube has the convenience of being close, having taken the quantity you want, while the bag, once opened, you should eat it all, given that there is a stopper to close the contents remained. Obviously, race is not easy to open and close the tube, then you should evaluate which of the two packages is preferable to adopt it to suit your needs and preferences. The cyclists will be able to take advantage with the tube, while for the professional choice of sachet is inescapable. The product was tolerated by all and easily digestible, even if its effects do not appear to be immediate. This seems to behave like other gel where between sugars intake and assimilation is always some lag time, which varies both by the composition of the product is based on the metabolism of the athlete. However even if not immediately, assimilation is rapid and the contribution of energy efficient and valuable. The effects of caffeine and taurine, if any, are not noticeable, not like when you take a bottle of caffeine, for example, where the impact is clearly felt by all. However, the two elements, together with proteins, should facilitate the absorption of sugars, which as mentioned, if not immediate but takes place with relative ease. The product can therefore be used effectively even a few minutes before a workout or race, but it is always good to consider a time of assimilation of approximately 20 minutes at least. In the race it is taken, therefore, may be at the regular pace of about 20-30 minutes, preferably interspersed with taking a good supplement hydro saline.

Conclusions

Sponsor Liquid Energy Plus has found a good integrator of carbohydrates. Tasty on the palate is easily absorbed and tolerated by all. To be a gel sugar and rapid assimilation and has a good energy. The presence in the compound of caffeine and taurine does not seem noteworthy, but it certainly should contribute to the overall effectiveness integrator. The tubes is very handy for the amateur who may not have the intensity of training such that they should take an entire bag of 30 grams. In these cases it is better to take a small amount of integration, but always at regular intervals, a larger amount but with a longer time interval between recruitment and the next. The bag, however, is perfect for the agonist, because it is easy to open the box and the drinking gel, even in the race and just help with one hand what impossible to be with tube. Assimilation does not mean immediate and fast will be well to include at least 20 minutes between the intake of the product and the actual availability of energy from the body. Ultimately, a good gel sugar, which can be accommodated in the posterior pocket both or athlete and amateur.

Price

A single sachet costs 1.20 euro, the pack of 50 sachets 60 Euro, while the pack of 18 tubes from 70 grams is 37.80 Euro, prices are in line with other similar products, more convenient, as the cost per kg, the packaging rolls.

Is suitable for

Athlete: an excellent product for effectiveness, ease of absorption and energy input, for use in sachet.
Amateurs cyclists: tolerability and ease of absorption makes it advisable also to cycle tourists who may take advantage of the pack in resealable tube.

Positive aspects

Complete formulation of the product
Tolerability of the product by all
Easy assimilation
Effectiveness
Energy intake
Aerators tube

Negative aspects

None

For further informations:

Sponser
Website: www.sponser.ch