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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* [[Caffeine]] is great for improving performance and speeding the absorption of carbohydrate, but too much can upset the stomach.
* Flavor is important, as you won't want to take an unpalatable gel. Experiment with different flavors, as different people have different tastes, and what flavor appeals can vary with circumstance. I add some comments around taste, including sweetness, bitterness, sourness and if the overall flavor is like candy or like fruit. Strong sour (acidic) flavors may help with [[Cramps]]. Genetics also influences taste, so such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylthiocarbamide ability to detect some bitter flavors].
=Overview=
This table is a combination of the science of nutrition, personal experience and the experience of many runners I've talked to, with more details given below.
=VFuel=
[http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=vfuel VFuel Gels] have no [[Fructose]], so it's ideal for those that suffer from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose_malabsorption fructose malabsorption]. It has a little fat in the form of [[MCT| Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT)]], as well as some Taurine, which I think are good things, but probably the amount is not significant enough to make much of a difference. Note that MCT can cause serious digestive problems, but probably not at these levels. There is a little [[Caffeine]], intended to increase the carbohydrate absorption rather than to improve performance. I found the VFuel very easy on the stomach and a worthy alternative to Hammer Gel. (Note VFuel was previously called Vi Endurance.)
''<br/>Ingredients (Vanilla): [[Maltodextrin]], water, dextrose, Vi VFuel Endurance Formula (MCT Oil, Taurine, Glucuronolactone, ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG), citrulline malate, [[Magnesium]] aspartate, sodium citrate, [[Potassium|potassium]] aspartate), pure vanilla flavor, [[Potassium|potassium]] sorbate, sea salt, [[Caffeine]]''
=Clif Shot (new formula)=
''<br/>Ingredients (vanilla): Carbohydrate blend ([[Maltodextrin]], [[Fructose]]), water, electrolytes (sodium chloride, sodium citrate, [[Potassium|potassium]] chloride), natural flavor, citric acid, sodium benzoate and [[Potassium|potassium]] sorbate.''
=eGel=
The main ingredients in eGel are close to Gu, which is no bad thing. The main differences are that eGel is twice the size of Gu, does not come in caffeinated varieties and has more electrolytes. While eGel has more electrolytes per packet than PowerBar Gel, if you take size into account then PowerBar Gel has the most concentrated electrolytes. The size of eGel may appeal to some people, but I generally find the usual size more convenient. The flavors of eGel are somewhat unusual in that they taste quite sour or 'tart', possibly because of the citric acid content. Flavor is a personal thing, so if you like sour, tart tastes, then you may get on well with eGel, but I found it overwhelming. However, it's possible that eGel may be acidic enough to help with [[Cramps| cramping]]. An oddity of eGel is that they contain coloring, which is strange given that most people will never actually see the gel. ''</br>Ingredients (Mountain Rush): [[Maltodextrin]], Filtered Water, [[Fructose]], Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, [[Potassium]] Citrate, Natural Flavor, Amino Acid Blend (Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (Tocopherol acetate), Sodium Benzoate And [[Potassium]] Sorbate, Yellow 5, Vitamin B6''
=High5 EnergyGel=
This High5 gel has a slightly sweet taste with a mild orange flavor. This light flavor makes the gel worth considering if you want to avoid the sweeter flavors that are common in other gels. High5 has a very thin, almost a liquid consistency that makes it easy to take. This gel falls down because it has so little Fructose compared with competing gels, which reduces the rate of carbohydrate absorption. (Note that [http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=High5+EnergyGel this gel is generally only available in Europe].)
