DIY energy drink

rodgers73

I've just about exhauted my supply of High5 energy drink and wondered if it wouldnt just be cheaper to use some high strength cordial with a bit of salt in it from now on?

Is there really much benefit to be had from these drinks? I tend to do long distance rides rather than short sprints or racing (usually 100-mile + sportives or similar rides on my own).

I'm heartily sick of the taste of the High5 and I'm not too excited about laying out another £25 for a drum of it.

Is this a bit naive??

hulla the hulla

give it a whirl and lets us all know.....you may be on to something

amaferanga

Cordial with salt isn't an energy drink.

If you want an electrolyte drink then try your cordial with some electrolyte powder.

Or if you want an energy drink add maltodextrin and fructose as well.

Ingredients available from Myprotein.com for much less than you'd pay for the equivalent amount of branded stuff.

rodgers73

I see.

Ok, will have a look...

Bazzowmb

Not naive at all, check out the link:


http://www.bikeradar.com/road/fitness/a ... rink-25744

rodgers73

Brilliant!

That looks perfect - what a rip energy drinks are then!

hulla the hulla

Surely though (genuine question, not stirring) table salt is just NaCl and doesn't include al the other "salts" that help stave off cramps and fatigue...?

rodgers73

Change it for electrolyte powder? I've found that online for not much. Cheaper than the £22 for a new drum of High5

JustinLeeAtkinson

Buy the own brand isontonic energy drinks from Tesco. Cheap, and no different to any other higher priced energy drink IMHO.

amaferanga

Maltodextrin + fructose mix is more effective (apparently) than simple 'table' sugar.

If you buy the stuff from Myprotein it really won't cost much and will last a long time.

Try JibberingJim's recipes - much better than the (usual) rubbish from the Bikeradar 'experts'.

oldwelshman

amaferanga wrote:

Maltodextrin + fructose mix is more effective (apparently) than simple 'table' sugar.

If you buy the stuff from Myprotein it really won't cost much and will last a long time.

Try JibberingJim's recipes - much better than the (usual) rubbish from the Bikeradar 'experts'.

+1 or just use glucose with some squash with some electrolyte powder added .
Try diorahlyte

rodgers73

oldwelshman wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

Try diorahlyte

I use that for afterwards - rehydraton salts from Boots

SBezza

If you eat food on the bike you shouldn't need extra electrolytes, solid food contains the salts your body needs.

Now if it is very hot and you sweat lots, or are racing (normally means very heavy sweating) you probably do need extra, but for the norm I think most people would be fine without adding electrolytes.

As mentioned above though, table salt really doesn't contain many of the bodies electrolytes, and a specialist powder would be a better option.

Orange juice (not cordial) and water will give you a good quanity of carbs similar to energy powders, and for a lot less.

rodgers73

Does it always have to be orange juice? Can apple juice work as well? I'm not sure my stomach could take that much acid.

doyler78

rodgers73 wrote:

Does it always have to be orange juice? Can apple juice work as well? I'm not sure my stomach could take that much acid.

You can of course use other fruit juices. All you are looking for is fructose (fruit sugar). Apples are pretty acidic and have been linked to stomach probs in some people

When I was using these in the past I liked red grape juice however I now use the maltodextrin/fructose mix as indicated here by others. I throw in electrolytes if the ride is going to last more than a couple of hours and I expect to work quite hard or if it is hot and I add caffeine if I think I might like a boost.

shouldbeinbed

pure fruit juice - for a bit of quickly absorbed energy & water -for hydration & a pinch of salt to help your body absorb it. Drink it at body temperature - your body will only expend energy warming it up before absorption otherwise.

you can alter the proportion of fruit juice and water to suit your taste or dependant if you're after a bit more energy intake or a bit more hydration.

I usually use 3/4 water to 1/4 juice as I run warm and sweat out quite a bit.

pots

hi
i have used the 50/50 fruit juice option in the past but was never sure to use something like supermarket basic juice,made from concentrate or freshly squeezed or again the more expensive ,better quality carton type ?