TORQ Gel Comparison
TORQ Gel and e-Gel both use Maltodextrin, the preferred carb source for endurance athletes, so that’s a good thing. However, e-Gel has advantages in several other areas. e-Gel has more energy and more complex carbs than TORQ Gel for increased energy uptake as explained below. e-Gel has 5x the electrolytes right in the gel (where it should be) to maintain hydration and avoid cramping and injuries – that’s a big one. e-Gel also has a complete profile of amino acids and antioxidants (not found in TORQ gel) to reduce tissue damage and soreness and to speed recovery. For a complete comparison read on:
calories
e-Gel
150
TORQ
110
Each pack of e-Gel provides almost 40% more energy than a pack of TORQ. This makes e-Gel more economical with fewer packs to carry and less trash to deal with, that’s a good thing!
complex carbs
e-Gel
30 g
TORQ
19 g
e-Gel has more complex carbs than any other energy gel and this is critical because your body can uptake more energy when you use complex carbs instead of simple sugars.
How is this possible?
Read on (or watch this video)
The carbs/energy in an energy gel are transported into your cellular system through osmosis. If you recall learning about osmosis in science class, it’s the way a fluid crosses a membrane. In order for the fluid to cross, it has to be an equal or lower concentration than the fluid on the other side of the membrane. In this case you’re trying to get the gel across your cellular membrane so you can use the energy. Gels by themselves are extremely concentrated (hypertonic), that’s why you need to use water with gel so that you can lower the concentration until it becomes isotonic (the same concentration as your cellular fluids). When you do, the gel and water get absorbed – osmosis!!
What’s interesting is that the concentration of a fluid (also called the osmolality) is largely dependent on the NUMBER of particles in the fluid, and less dependent on the size of the particles. Complex carbs by definition have a larger molecular structure than simple sugars, basically they have more glucose molecules stuck together. But remember, it’s the number of particles, not the size that matters most. What that means is that at the point of absorption (isotonic), a fluid with complex carbs can transport nearly twice as much energy into the cellular system compared to one with simple sugars.
This isn’t something that we’ve invented here a Crank Sports, it’s proven science. Many energy gels (including e-Gel) use at least some maltodextrin for this reason. Maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate with an extremely large molecular structure. Where e-Gel sets itself apart from other products is that we use much more complex carb and less sugar. This allows you to get more energy when you use e-Gel compared to our competitors. Why do other companies use so much sugar? Simple, because it’s sweet and inexpensive, and sweet things sell. So if you want to sell a lot of something you make it sweet. But if you want to make the best PERFORMING product you use complex carbs.
sugar
e-Gel
18%
TORQ
34%
See our complex carb discussion for more information.
carb sources
e-Gel
Maltodextrin
Fructose
TORQ
Maltodextrin
Fructose
Both e-Gel and TORQ use a combination of maltodextrin and fructose. Maltodextrin is the preferred complex carbohydrate for endurance athletes and fructose is in the product because it allows for additional energy uptake that you do not get from gels that don’t use it, read why
sodium
e-Gel
230 mg
TORQ
50 mg
e-Gel is the only energy gel to provide complete electrolyte replacement in the gel – where it should be! Sodium is by far the most important electrolyte that you need to replenish to help you maintain hydration and to avoid cramping and injuries.
The level of sodium in e-Gel is nearly 5x what you get from TORQ gel and is designed to meet the American College of Sports Medicine’s recommendations for sodium replacement.
For a more detailed discussion of why it’s important to have this level of electrolytes in the gel instead of getting your electrolytes some other way:
potassium
e-Gel
85 mg
TORQ
10 mg
Potassium is the other electrolyte that is important to replace during your training and competition, along with sodium. The level of potassium in e-Gel is 8x that found in TORQ gel and is designed to meet the American College of Sports Medicine’s recommendation for replacement during athletic activity. See the sodium discussion for additional details.
amino acids
e-Gel
Histidine, Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine
TORQ
none
e-Gel provides a blend of 4 important amino acids that help to reduce lactic acid build up, reduce soreness, maintain muscle protein and aid in quicker recovery.
TORQ energy gel does not contain amino acids.
antioxidants
e-Gel
vitamin C 120%
vitamin E 120%
TORQ
none
Antioxidant vitamins C and E help protect against tissue damage, reduce soreness and aid in the recovery process.
TORQ energy gel does not contain these antioxidants.
citrates
e-Gel
Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate and Citric Acid
TORQ
Citric Acid
Citrates assist in the carbohydrate to energy conversion process as well as slow the build up of lactic acid in your muscles.
caffeine
e-Gel
none
TORQ
some flavors
To read our recommendation on caffeine, click here
Keith Castleton
Jeff Rommel
David Ball
Shawn Smith
Vicki Griffin
Kathy Murgas
NOTE: All TORQ Gel nutrition values shown are for Lemon Drizzle flavor as of April 2021, other flavors may vary. e-Gel nutrition values are the same for all flavors, read why
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