e-Gel and GU and very similar products with one significant exception - electrolytes!
e-Gel contains 4 times the sodium and double the potassium compared to
GU for complete and balanced electrolyte replacement in addition to
sustained energy. Both products contain maltodextrin as the primary
carbohydrate source with a little bit of fructose. Both products contain
amino acids, citrates and antioxidants. You will notice that e-Gel has a
thinner consistency than GU so its easier to swallow when you're going
hard. Also, each pack of e-Gel contains 50% more energy than a pack of GU
making e-Gel more economical.
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Carbohydrates
Maltodextrin is the preferred carbohydrate source for endurance athletes and
as such it is the primary ingredient in e-Gel as well as most other good
products on the market. Both e-Gel and GU contain maltodextrin and a little
bit of fructose.
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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 approximately 4 times the amount of sodium and
double potassium compared to GU. The sodium and potassium levels in e-Gel are
designed to meet the American College of Sports Medicine's recommendation
for electrolyte replacement during intense athletic activity.
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Amino Acids
The amino acids in e-Gel and GU are designed to reduce lactic acid
build up, maintain muscle protein and aid in recovery.
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Citrates
The Citrates in e-Gel and GU assist in the carbohydrate to energy conversion process as well as
reduce and slow the build-up of lactic acid in your muscles.
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Antioxidants
e-Gel and GU are two of the only energy gels that contain antioxidant vitamins C and E
to help protect against tissue damage,
reduce soreness and aid in the recovery process.
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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.
* None of e-Gel's flavors contain caffeine. GU has caffeine in a few of
their flavors.
** None of e-Gel's flavors contain fat. GU has a small amount of fat in one
or more flavors.
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Fat
Studies have shown that fat should not be in nutritional products that are
consumed during intense athletic activity. As such, all flavors of e-Gel are
fat-free. Most flavors of GU are also fat-free with the exception of the
Chocolate Outrage and Mint Chocolate flavors.
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Pricing
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At retail, a pack of GU cost about 15% less than a pack of e-Gel, however, each pack of e-Gel
contains more than 50% more energy than a pack of GU (37 grams vs. 25 grams). On a cost per calorie basis
GU is 25% more expensive than e-Gel.
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The nutritional information shown above for
GU is
for a single serving packet of their Chocolate Outrage flavor as published December
2008.
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