e-Gel is the energy gel that GU doesn't want you to know about. When they
launched their high performance Roctane energy gel ($2.50/pack) they didn't include
e-Gel in any of the product comparisons even though e-Gel has been on the
market since 2002 with millions of packets sold. Take a look at the head
to head comparison and you'll see why.
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Carbohydrates
e-Gel and Roctane both use a blend of Maltodextrin (complex carbohydrate)
and Fructose that is designed to provide sustained energy. Watch out
for energy gels that have rice syrup and other high sugar carbohydrates.
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Electrolytes
e-Gel is the ONLY energy gel that is designed to provide complete and
balanced electrolyte replacement that is critical for proper hydration and
to avoid muscle cramping. e-Gel has nearly double the amount of sodium and
potassium compared to Roctane and approximately 4-5 times the levels found
in traditional energy gels. The sodium and potassium levels in e-Gel are
designed to meet the American College of Sports Medicine's recommendation
for electrolytes during intense athletic activity.
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Amino Acids
The amino acids in both e-Gel and Roctane are designed to reduce lactic acid
build up, maintain muscle protein and aid in recovery. Most energy gels on
the market today fail to include amino acids because they are expensive
ingredients.
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Citrates
Citrates assist in the carbohydrate to energy conversion process as well as
reduce and slow the build-up of lactic acid in your muscles. Most energy
gels on the market today do not include sodium citrate or potassium citrate.
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Antioxidants
According to GU's web site, they removed the antioxidant vitamins C and E
from the product "to make room for the additional volume of ingredients
in Roctane". Since vitamins C and E help protect against tissue damage,
reduce soreness and aid in the recovery process, we have always felt it is
important to include these antioxidants in e-Gel.
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Vitamin B6
e-Gel is the only energy gel to include vitamin B6 which assists in the
energy conversion process.
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Caffeine
While caffeine may give a temporary mental boost, unfortunately it is a
diuretic, meaning that it causes your kidneys to produce more urine - thus
promoting dehydration. Proper hydration is critical to optimum performance,
and in our opinion caffeine should not be incorporated into your sports
nutrition program. Our recommendation has always been that if you feel that
you NEED caffeine, then only use a caffeinated product (there are plenty on
the market) near the end of your
competition when you need the psychological boost the most and there is
little time to cause dehydration. We strongly recommend against relying on a
caffeinated product for the duration of the competition.
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OKG
Roctane includes OKG which is an amino acid complex that according to
GU is designed to "enhance recovery by protecting your muscle tissue
from damage".
e-Gel includes our proprietary "e-Gel Amino Acid Blend" which is
designed in part to do the same thing as OKG. In addition, the antioxidants
in e-Gel (not included in Roctane) help protect against tissue damage, reduce
soreness and aid in the recovery process.
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Pricing
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With a retail price of $1.49 per pack,
e-Gel is 40% less expensive than Roctane ($2.50 per pack). If you consider
that each pack of e-Gel contains 150 calories vs. 100 calories in a pack of
Roctane, e-Gel is is actually 60% less.
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Roctane is a trademark of GU
Sports. The nutritional information shown above for Roctane is for a
single serving packet as published December 2008.
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