GU Roctane Comparison
Roctane is GU’s premium energy gel, and when you compare it to e-Gel we’re confident that e-Gel is still the best performing product. e-Gel has more complex carbs and less sugar than Roctane which allows for increased energy uptake. e-Gel puts all the electrolytes you need right in the gel to avoid cramping and injuries. e-Gel is also a thinner consistency so it’s easier to get down, no more chocking on thick energy gels! That’s not all, read below for a complete comparison.
calories
e-Gel
150
Roctane
100
Each pack of e-Gel provides 50% more energy than a pack of Roctane. This makes e-Gel more economical because 2 packs of e-Gel is the energy equivalent to 3 packs of Roctane. Fewer packs to carry and less trash to deal with, that’s a good thing!
complex carbs
e-Gel
30 g
Roctane
15 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%
Roctane
29%
By providing lower sugar and more complex carbs instead, e-Gel is able to provide significantly more total energy uptake. See our complex carb discussion for complete details.
carb sources
e-Gel
MaltodextrinFructose
Roctane
MaltodextrinFructose
Both e-Gel and Roctane 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
Roctane
125 mg
e-Gel is the only energy gel to provide complete electrolyte replacement in the gel – where it should be! The most important electrolyte that you need to replenish is sodium to help you maintain hydration and to avoid cramping and injuries.
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
Roctane
unspecified
Potassium is the other electrolyte that is important to replace during your training and competition, along with sodium. Roctane contains potassium citrate but the company does not specify on the packaging how much potassium is in Roctane. The level of potassium in e-Gel 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
Roctane
Leucine, Valine,Alanine, Isoleucine
Both e-Gel and Roctane provides a blend of 4 important amino acids. Amino acids help to reduce lactic acid build up, reduce soreness, maintain muscle protein and aid in quicker recovery.
Roctane also includes Taurine which is often referred to as an amino acid, but it is not. Amino acids are protein building blocks, while Taurine is an amino sulfuric acid. Taurine is also a diuretic, meaning that it can cause increased urine production and dehydration. We do not use Taurine in e-Gel or any of our products.
antioxidants
e-Gel
vitamin C 120%
vitamin E 120%
Roctane
none specified
citrates
e-Gel
Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate and Citric Acid
Roctane
Sodium Citrate, PotassiumCitrate and Citric Acid
Citrates assist in the carbohydrate to energy conversion process as well as slow the build up of lactic acid in your muscles.
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we guarantee you'll love it!
Keith Castleton
Jeff Rommel
David Ball
Shawn Smith
Vicki Griffin
Kathy Murgas
NOTE: All Roctane nutrition values shown are for Vanilla Orange as of April 2021, other flavors may vary. e-Gel nutrition values are the same for all flavors, read why
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