As a cyclist, it’s vital that you feel fueled for your rides. Ultimately, you want to feel like you can take over the world, feel strong, and not exhausted. One way to achieve this is by what you consume, such as carbohydrates. It’s vital for fueling your activity and replacing electrolytes that can be lost through sweat. One of the greatest ways to get this would be by consuming carbohydrates from your bottle. This is the perfect approach to giving yourself a boost of Energy.
Plus, you must remember that 60% of your body is composed of water, and dehydration can lead to physical fatigue. Drinking straight-up water can only get you so far, so you’ll need something extra. On the other hand, carbs from energy drinks are absorbed quickly within the bloodstream, so, within one sip, you’ll feel refueled. So, how can you get the best of both worlds, a drink that combines carbs and electrolytes? We got it all here for you, as he made a buying guide for cyclists' top ten energy drinks!
What You Will Need to Know About Energy Drinks
Regarding energy drinks, it’s obvious that the purpose is in its name. Some energy drinks, such as a coffee replacement, are meant to jolt you awake. But you must need to keep in mind that when it comes to energy drinks, especially those for athletes and cyclists, they need to do more than wake you up. They need to help keep you going. So, why are energy drinks needed, especially those with electrolytes and carbs? Well, keep reading on to learn more about this!
What is in electrolyte-filled hydration drinks?
This is a mixture of water and electrolytes. You can expect this to be more focused on hydrating than fueling you. Sometimes, these hydration drinks may have carbohydrates in them, but for the most part, they usually don’t.
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Why should electrolyte hydration drinks be used?
During physical activity, you can expect to sweat. Whenever you’re sweating, you’ll lose water but also electrolytes. Electrolytes are vital as they contain potassium, sodium, magnesium, salts, and other vital minerals. You can be entirely rehydrated but still feel weak, and that would be due to a lack of electrolytes. The lack of electrolytes can affect your athletic performance, and yes, this also includes cycling. This can make your body uncomfortable, such as increasing your heart rate, cramps, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms.
If you’re only planning to cycle for 60 minutes, you could sip on regular water, which could be adequate. However, if you’re planning on cycling on a hot day or to cycle for a long ride, it’s best to get a beverage, an electrolyte hydration drink, as these will help you replace the lost electrolytes and top up your fluid levels. Another thing to remember is that electrolyte hydration drinks can make you thirsty. This is because they contain sodium which will help stimulate your drink to help you drink enough, while water, on the other hand, tends to dull thirst and dilutes the electrolytes.
How can electrolyte hydration drinks be used?
You can expect the instructions to tell you how to use the drink properly. But remember that each drink and each brand will vary in direction. Generally speaking, it would be best if you aimed to drink around 500 to 750 ml an hour. If you’re going on rides over 90 minutes, it is recommended that you take some form of fuel, such as something that can help top up your glycogen, as carbs won’t simply be enough.
How can you choose the right one?
While there are more than enough electrolyte hydration drinks on the market, you’ll still need to pay close attention to what the labels contain. Some brands may contain artificial additives or flavorings, which you should look out to avoid. However, this doesn’t immediately mean that all energy drinks contain artificial additives. Plus, you’ll want to think about what you want, such as good taste, all-natural, or even nootropics for Energy.
What’s in the carbohydrate energy drinks?
Electrolyte energy drinks and carbohydrate energy drinks are not immediately the same thing. A carbohydrate drink is an energy drink mixed with electrolytes, carbs, and water. This can be isotonic or it can be hypertonic. These are commonly found in powdered form and can be mixed at home. Plus, carbs can come in different sources, fructose, glucose, or sucrose. Plus, the combination is slow and fast-acting.
As a cyclist, it’s important that you stay happy and healthy during your workouts! Thanks to the help of Breinfuel, and our selection of healthy energy drinks, you’ll be able to stay energized all day long!
Why should carbohydrate drinks be used?
Carbohydrates play an important part in the human body, but it’s even more critical if you’re an athlete or someone who focuses on staying physically active. Carbohydrates are stored in the muscles and liver and are turned into glycogen. Glycogen is the body’s preferred source of Energy during exercise. Once the glycogen levels in your body begin to deplete, you may find it hard to keep moving. However, carbohydrate drinks will give you the Energy to keep going. They will give you the boost you need to help your endurance and your performance throughout the rest of your exercise session.
How can carbohydrate energy drinks be used?
If you’re planning on cycling for over an hour, you should aim to take around 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates within every 60 minutes. Rather than taking one large drink, you must regulate your intervals when drinking this.
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How can you choose the right carbohydrate energy drink?
Just as electrolyte drinks sometimes contain artificial additives, the same can be said about carbohydrate energy drinks. Some of these artificial additives can cause gastrointestinal issues. So, it may be trial and error when trying to find the right one that works best for you. However, if you’re not a major fan of the trial and error method, we have some great options you may want to try. These combine the elements of an electrolyte drink and a carbohydrate energy drink! So, you’re guaranteed to have an energy boost!
What are the 10 Best Electrolyte & Carb Energy Drinks for Cyclists?
We know it cannot be easy to figure out the best energy drink there, especially as a cyclist. But, here at Breinfuel, we made a list of some of the best energy drinks that brings the best of both worlds in Electrolytes and carbs! So continue reading on for the
1. Breinfuel
Suppose you want a drink fully backed by science, then Breinfuel will be the perfect option for you! Here at Breinfuel, we pride ourselves on the natural ingredients that our drinks have. Your performance needs to be your best, and artificial additives will not cut it. We bring you that jolt of Energy you need, carbs, electrolytes, and cognitive flexibility, so you know you’ll be performing your very best.
You don’t have to worry about getting jitters or crashing with Breinfuel. Brain fuel is jammed-pack with natural caffeine, 360 mg! So you can count on feeling refreshed and energized. So, why not protect, sustain and amplify yourself through Breinfuel? We’re the best for every cyclist out there! So snag some of your today and check out the Store Locator!
2. Torq Energy
Torq’s Energy is a drink powder that contains 30 g of carbohydrates per serving. This is focused on fuel performance, so that you can count on this as perfect for any cyclist or passionate athlete. Additionally, this is the perfect choice for those who want to spread carbohydrates throughout different foods and drinks. The Torq Energy drink contains a two-to-one ratio of glucose and fructose. This is perfect as it allows you to consume up to 90 grams per hour. There are a variety of flavors available, large containers, single serving sachets, plus some are caffeine free.
3. HIGH5 Energy Source
Like Torq’s Energy, this contains two sources of carbohydrates, so it’s a two-to-one ratio. These come in small sachets, so it’s ideal for single-use, albeit it’s not very eco-friendly. All you need to do is combine it with 500 ml of water, and you’ll have 45 grams of carbohydrates in your bottle. This can help you feel waken up if you’re getting a little tired during the long miles on the bike.
4. SIS Go Electrolyte energy drink
SIS, also known as “Science in Sport," have produced its “Go Electrolyte” series of energy drinks. This is loaded with carbs, salts, and minerals to help you out. However, what separates this drink from its competitors is that it is solely focused on being a pre-race drink. Why is that?
SIS created this drink so cyclists with a carbohydrate-loading strategy could easily implement it while preparing for a race. Each SIS Go Electrolyte energy drink contains 40 grams per serving, 36g of carbs, calcium, potassium, salt, and magnesium. Plus, this is packed with 146 calories and has five different flavors.
5. Precision Hydration electrolyte drink
Suppose you want to feel rehydrated entirely, then Precision Hydration can certainly be a go-to! They provide both tablets and powders which can instantly dissolve in water. Plus, they’re hypotonic, meaning they’re not designed to replace glycogen in the body.
Something else that makes them stand out is that they understand that everyone sweats differently, and the sweat content can also vary. So they encourage their customers to fill out a questionnaire so the company can help determine how much sodium is needed. They provide 250 to 1500 mg of sodium alongside magnesium, potassium, and calcium in their powders.
6. Nectar Fuel Tank
The Nectar Fuel Tank is a liquid concentrate that you need to mix up with water. You'll love this if you aren’t a fan of powder and its graininess! Each pump press will give you 3% of carbohydrates within the solution. The Nectar Fuel Tank is a two-to-one glucose ratio. They offer three solutions: isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic. Plus, there are a variety of flavors available for purchase.
7. Nuun Sport hydration tablets
The hydration tablets from Nuun Sport primarily focus on hydration, but you can still count on finding an outstanding balance of electrolytes and carbohydrates in each of these tablets! Each serving, which is one tablet, contains fifteen calories. Plus, this contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium. Each tablet contains 40 mg of caffeine, slightly less than a cup of coffee.
8. Gatorade Perform
If you’re cycling on a hot summer's day, then the Gatorade Perform may be what you’re looking for. This classic brand has a variety of flavors and different products, and now they have one geared towards heavy cyclists. If you’re going to race in the heat at high intensity for more than an hour, then the Gatorade Perform is a great option. One of the downsides is that it’s not convenient to travel with, especially if you’re cycling. The plastic power tub will require you to measure before putting it into your bottle.
If you’re a cyclist looking for something to help supercharge you throughout your races, why not try our specialized beverages at Breinfuel? With Breinfuel, you’ll feel like you can race worldwide!
9. GU Brew
Suppose you’re looking for something that has a milk consistency with a fruity taste for a hot, sweaty day on the bike, then look no further than GU Brew. Their single-serving packets have several flavors available for customers. Plus, each packet contains a two-to-one ratio of fructose and maltodextrin. This is a 60-gram serving containing 53 grams of carbohydrates when mixed with 16oz of water. Plus, the balance between electrolyte sodium and potassium is superb!
10. Powerbar IsoActive
Powerbar is a beloved brand, especially for its energy bars, but did you know about its IsoActive power? The Powerbar IsoActive contains 29 grams of carbohydrates per 33s serving. Unlike other brands with powder, this one doesn’t leave any residue or a grainy texture. This contains glucose and fructose, a two-to-one ratio perfect for increasing your energy uptake.
How do I choose the right energy drink for me?
In the end, finding the best drink for you may take some time. There are many things to consider, such as the price, where to buy it, the flavors, and their impact on you. But overall, you are what you drink! So, why not opt for something healthy and revitalizing like Breinfuel? You’re going to feel amazing, even after your exercise session! So, even if you need to work, study, play, or get through the day, we’re here to help!