Accelerade was purchased by Mott's a few years ago and they are clearly
trying to compete with Gatorade and other mass marketed sports drinks. The
problem with all of those products, including Accelerade, is that they are
nearly 100% sugar with very little if nay complex carbohydrates.
Accelerade weighs in at a whopping 93% sugar! In addition,
expensive ingredients that competitive athletes look for in a good product
are all missing from Accelerade: no amino acids, no vitamins or
antioxidants.
Accelerade's claim to fame is the addition of protein in a 4:1 ratio of
carbohydrates to protein. The company funded research that suggests that
the addition of protein is beneficial, but independent research has shown
that these claims have no merit. Protein in your sports drink DOES NOT
boost performance (see links below for additional information).
For a more complete discussion of each ingredient and the differences
between e-Fuel and Accelerade, click on the ingredient links on the left
side of the table.
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Carbohydrates
Maltodextrin is the preferred carbohydrate source for endurance athletes and
as such it is the primary ingredient in e-Fuel as well as most other good
products on the market. Accelerade is 93% sugar. The danger of high sugar content products
such as Accelerade is that they
can elevate your blood sugar level too far too fast which can lead to a
sugar crash (also known as bonking). Higher sugar content also raises the
osmolality of the product which can reduce energy delivery, delay fluid
absorption and promote dehydration.
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Electrolytes
e-Fuel is designed to provide complete and
balanced electrolyte replacement that is critical for proper hydration and
to avoid muscle cramping. The sodium and potassium levels in e-Fuel are
designed to meet the American College of Sports Medicine's recommendation
for electrolyte replacement during intense athletic activity.
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Amino Acids
The amino acids in e-Fuel are designed to reduce lactic acid
build up, maintain muscle protein and aid in recovery. There are no amino
acids in Accelerade.
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Citrates
The Citrates in e-Fuel assist in the carbohydrate to energy conversion process as well as
reduce and slow the build-up of lactic acid in your muscles.
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Antioxidants
e-Fuel is one of the few sports drinks on the market that contains antioxidant vitamins C and E
to help protect against tissue damage,
reduce soreness and aid in the recovery process.
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Vitamin B6
e-Fuel is one of the only sports drinks to include vitamin B6 which assists in the
energy conversion process.
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Protein
Accelerade's claim to fame is the addition of protein in a 4:1 ratio of
carbohydrates to protein. The company funded research that suggests that the
addition of protein is beneficial, but independent research has shown that
these claims have no merit. Protein has to go through a digestive process which draws blood away from
working muscles to the stomach and intestines. When you are competing in an
aerobic activity you want as much blood as possible supplied to your muscles
carrying fresh oxygen for the energy conversion process.
Here are links to the research that show
that protein in your sports drink DOES NOT boost performance:
American College of Sports Medicine
Failure
of Protein to Improve Performance when Added to a Sports Drink
Science Daily
Protein-added
Sports Drinks Don't Boost Performance
About Walking
Sports
Drink with Protein No Better for Endurance
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Form
Accelerade is available in either in a ready-to-consume drink
form or as a
powdered concentrate. The ready-to-consume version is convenient when you're
looking for something healthy to drink at the local 7-11, but concentrated
products are easier to transport and mix as desired. The problem with powder
concentrates is that they are often difficult to mix in cold water or odd shaped
containers (narrow mouthed bottles, backpack hydration systems, etc.) and they tend to
spill during mixing leaving a sticky mess. Also, if the powder is exposed
to moisture then you are left with an unusable clump.
The ultimate solution is a liquid concentrated form, and e-Fuel is the only
sports drink on the market today available in this form. e-Fuel's liquid concentrate system (Rapid Mix) is the ultimate in
convenience for serious athletes who want to transport, mix or consume
the product on the go. Since e-Fuel is a liquid it instantly
blends with any temperature water - unlike powders. e-Fuel is also the
perfect product for quick and easy mixing in backpack hydration systems
either in your kitchen or out on the trail. Measuring isn't a problem
either, as one easy-open packet makes 24 ounces - the most common water
bottle size. If you use a 50, 70 or 100 ounce backpack hydration system,
simply use 2, 3 or 4 packets of e-Fuel.
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The nutritional information shown above for
Accelerade is
for an 8 oz serving of ready to drink Peach Mango Accelerade as published December
2008. Accelerade is a registered trademark of Mott's LLP.
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