Honey Stinger
Honey Stinger and e-Gel have several significant differences. The first being that e-Gel is made with complex carbs and Honey Stinger is virtually all simple sugar (honey). Complex carbs allow you to uptake significantly more energy as explained below. Second, e-Gel provides all the electrolytes you need to help avoid cramping and injuries. Honey Stinger has virtually no electrolytes at all. Read on for all the details:
calories
e-Gel
150
Stinger
110
Each pack of e-Gel provides 36% more energy than a pack of Honey Stinger. This makes e-Gel more economical and you have fewer packs to carry and less trash to deal with, that’s a good thing!
complex carbs
e-Gel
30 g
Stinger
1 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%
Stinger
96%
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
Maltodextrin
Fructose
Stinger
Honey
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
Stinger
45 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
Stinger
0 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 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
Stinger
no amino acids
Amino acids help to reduce lactic acid build up, reduce soreness, maintain muscle protein and aid in quicker recovery. Honey Stinger does no contain amino acids.
antioxidants
e-Gel
vitamin C 120%
vitamin E 120%
Stinger
none
Antioxidant vitamins C and E help protect against tissue damage, reduce soreness and aid in the recovery process. Honey Stinger does not contain these antioxidants.
citrates
e-Gel
Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate and Citric Acid
Stinger
Potassium Citrate
Citrates assist in the carbohydrate to energy conversion process as well as slow the build up of lactic acid in your muscles.
ready to try e-Gel?
we guarantee you'll love it!
Keith Castleton
Jeff Rommel
David Ball
Shawn Smith
Vicki Griffin
Kathy Murgas
NOTE: All Honey Stinger Gel nutrition values shown are for Gold flavor as of April 2021, other flavors may vary. e-Gel nutrition values are the same for all flavors, read why
if you found this useful please share!
related resources
gels, drinks, chews ... what's best for your sport?
Use our Sherpa Nutrition Guide tool to get your nutrition dialed in. Just plug in your sport, problems you’re having (cramping, stomach issues, running out of energy) and Sherpa will give you a detailed person guide. Free, quick and easy!
what is an energy gel and who should use them
Many people are not fans of energy gels at first because they can be sticky, thick and hard to get down. Why would anyone use an energy gel? Why not just stick to energy bars and sports drinks? All good questions… read on
when to use energy gels and sports drinks and can they be used together
If you decide to use e-Gel and e-Fuel together (or any energy gel and sports drink), follow these guidelines for best results.
hydration and proper use of energy gels
Before building an energy gel into your training and competition program, it is critical to understand the importance of proper hydration.
energy gels are a better choice than bars and chews
Protein bars, energy gels, chews, hydration drinks, fruit … what should you use? Making the right selection can significantly improve performance.
marathon training with e-Gel
ingredient articles
fat and protein during your race, don't do it!
In order to achieve optimum performance in any endurance sport you need to maximize oxygen delivery to the working muscles. What you eat plays a significant role.
fructose, you need some!
Fructose often gets a bad rap, but using it properly will actually give you an advantage, learn how.
hyponautremia, electrolytes may save your life
race tips and strategy
the marathon wall and how to avoid it
The bad news is that “the wall” is a very real thing. The good news is that you can avoid “hitting the wall” if you follow this advice.