Enjoy reliable, rock-solid energy and endurance!
BY STEVE BORN
The number of energy gel choices is at an all-time high, which isn’t surprising when you consider that they’re super convenient and provide quick energy—no wonder they’re “standard issue equipment” amongst modern-day athletes. Not all gels are alike, however; this is why Hammer Gel should be your energy gel of choice:
No added, non-beneficial “ose” sugars!
To enjoy high-quality, long-lasting energy it’s imperative to avoid the use of any fuel that contains added carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars, the ones with the last three letters “ose” in their name (i.e. glucose, sucrose, etc.). Here’s the deal on these “ose” sugars:
- They provide very inconsistent and short-lived “peak & valley,” “flash & crash” type of energy. Riding a roller coaster of energy—feeling great for a few brief moments, then struggling to get out of an energy rut—is no way to enjoy your workouts or achieve top race results.
- They supply very low and almost always inadequate amounts of calories that the body can accept, assimilate, and utilize for energy. A calorically weak simple sugar concentration of 6-8% is the limit; higher concentrations will be substantially delayed from digesting efficiently, resulting in an increased risk of stomach-related problems such as nausea, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea.
- Consumption of simple sugars increases the risk of overhydration and its host of associated problems. When you try to fulfill your body’s optimal calorie requirements by consuming increased quantities of simple sugarcontaining energy gels, you have to drink copious amounts of fluids to adequately digest them.
Bottom line: Using simple sugars like glucose or sucrose to fuel your body is like trying to heat your house by burning newspapers in your stove. You get a fast heat, but it’s a very limited amount. It burns out quickly, and you have to continually feed the fire. Not good!
Stable, long-lasting energy from complex carbohydrates (maltodextrin)
Complex carbohydrates are superior to simple sugars for three primary reasons:
- They match body fluid osmolality parameters (280-303 mOsm), not at a 6-8% solution (the limit for simple sugars), but at a more concentrated 15-18% solution. Therefore, complex carbohydrates will exit the GI tract at the same efficient rate as normal body fluids, providing substantially more calories (up to three times more) than simple sugar mixtures will.
- They have a high Glycemic Index (GI) rating. Maltodextrin, the complex carbohydrate used in Hammer Gel, has a GI value of 100, which is equal to glucose (100) and higher than sucrose (58-65) and fructose (12-25). This means that maltodextrin raises blood sugar levels as effectively as glucose, and faster than other simple sugars. During and immediately following exercise, a high-GI carbohydrate—one that elevates blood sugar levels rapidly—offers a mostdesirable and beneficial effect.
- They don’t cause the rapid and precipitous drop—that undesirable “peak and valley” or “flash and crash” effect—that is common with simple sugars.
Bottom line: Using the same “heat/energy” analogy, complex carbohydrates are similar to putting a nice pile of wood on the fire; they burn longer and more evenly, with the declination in “heat” (energy levels) being much more gradual. That’s EXACTLY how you want your fuel to work in your body.
Great taste
If an energy gel, sports drink, or energy bar doesn’t taste good, chances are you’re not going to consume it, at least not with much enthusiasm. That’s why, with nine flavors plus an Unflavored version of Hammer Gel currently available, you’re sure to find several that you’ll enjoy hour after hour.
Great value
You can purchase Hammer Gel in a number of ways:
- Single-serving pouches. You can get a discount if you buy multiple pouches.
- The Hammer Gel Sampler Kit contains nine single-serving pouches, one in every flavor (except Unflavored), and is a great value.
- Eco-friendly, 26-serving jugs of Hammer Gel are still available at a great rate!
- Order three or more jugs to get a huge discount
- Buy Hammer Gel Today
Summary
There may be a plethora of energy gels available, but if you want reliable, longlasting energy, great taste, and versatility— all at an economical price—Hammer Gel is the energy gel you want. An additional plus? Hammer Gel’s quality and freshness lasts a full four years from its manufacturing date. If you don’t go through a few jugs of Hammer Gel in that time, you’re not training enough!
Seriously, with an ever-increasing number of energy gels flooding the market, we hope this Athlete Education Series will assist you in making an informed purchase. Hammer Gel, for all of the earlier-mentioned reasons, is the clear choice, and as with all of our fuels, we guarantee your satisfaction 100%. Give it a try today and find out what thousands of athletes already know: Hammer Gel will make a noticeably positive difference in your workouts and races!
You can use Hammer Gel in the following ways:
- Full strength in the Hammer Flask, “chased” with water. If you find a particular flavor of Hammer Gel to be too strong for your palate, or too thick for your personal preference, simply add water to the flask to soften the flavor and/or thin out the consistency of the gel. Yes, Hammer Gel dissolves completely in water! Another alternative is to mix Unflavored with any flavored version of Hammer Gel. This “softens” the taste of the mix but without diluting the calorie content.
- As a sports drink, mixing Hammer Gel and water in a water bottle.
- In convenient single-serving pouches. (Note: Unflavored Hammer Gel is not available in this size, but is available in 26-serving jugs.)
- To flavor other products and foods. As an example, Apple-Cinnamon, Montana Huckleberry, and Raspberry Hammer Gel are great on pancakes and waffles!
- As all or part of a pre-workout/race meal.
- As your sole source of calories in workouts/races lasting up to two hours (and in certain situations even longer).
- As a part-time fuel during longer workouts and races to supplement Hammer Nutrition’s proteinfortified fuels, Sustained Energy and Perpetuem.
- As part of your post-workout recovery nutrition.
Hammer Gel & Fructose
By: Bill Misner, Ph.D.
Q: I have fructose intolerance and wonder whether I can take Hammer Gel. I know that Hammer Gel does not contain any added fructose, but it contains fruit juices; thus, there should be some natural fructose in it. Any experience with this condition?
A: Fructose is a real and present dietary danger known and shown to compromise health. Unprocessed natural fruit juice is associated with health-enhancing effects, but the processed form is highly toxic even in relatively small amounts.
A typical 33-gram serving of Hammer Gel contains approximately 0.5-0.7 grams of fructose from the natural sweetener “Energy Smart,” made from 50% fruit juice and 50% grain dextrins via proprietary process. Fruit juice contains natural fructose of 3-10% by weight. For every serving of Hammer Gel consumed, (at most) 1-2 grams of natural fructose is consumed. The natural fructose content in Hammer Gel for a 9-serving/3-hour workout is no higher than 18-20 grams, well under half of the 50 grams necessary to induce fructose intolerance symptoms. When compared to natural, organic whole foods, Hammer Gel generates very small amounts of natural fructose.
Naturally occurring, plant-source total dietary fructose ingested from whole non-processed fruits or vegetables is around 15 grams per day with NO reported association with compromised health disorders.
| Fruit | Grams per 100g Serving | Fruit | Grams per 100g Serving | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prunes | 12.5 | Orange | 2.2 | |
| Grapes | 8.5 | Grapefruit | 2.5 | |
| Bananas | 4.9 | Watermelon | 3.3 | |
| Kiwi Fruit | 4.3 | Plumbs | 3.0 | |
| Apples | 6.0 | Raspberry | 2.3 | |
| Cherries | 6.0 | Melon | 2.9 | |
| Pears | 6.2 | Pineapple | 2.0 | |
| Blueberry | 5.0 | Cantaloupe | 1.8 | |
| Strawberry | 2.5 | Peach | 1.5 | |
| Blackberry | 2.4 | Nectarine | 1.3 | |
| Hammer Gel | 1.0 – 2.0* | |||
| * Per single serving | ||||
SUMMARY
A few grams of natural fructose wrapped in its original cellulose fiber and fluid-like container always includes the enzymes, vitamins, and minerals making this substance well tolerated in up to 50 grams (+/- 10 grams). However, the more processed and stripped of its original fiber, fluid, vitamin, and mineral content, the more likely a 50-gram amount (+/- 10 grams) will do more harm than good for healthy cellular metabolic function.
NOTE: The above information is reprinted from Dr. Misner’s original article, “Is there fructose in Hammer Gel?,” which can be found in its entirety on the FAQ page on the Hammer Nutrition website.
HAMMER GEL QUICK INFO
If you want to enjoy quality energy, it’s imperative to avoid the use of any fuel that contains carbohydrates with the last three letters “ose” in their name. Glucose, sucrose, maltose, fructose, and galactose . . . they’re what we call simple sugars.
Hammer Gel stands alone in today’s glutted market of energy products. A look at the ingredient list on the label will reveal why: we use long-chain complex carbohydrates for smooth, consistent energy release. There’s only a trace of sugar, so Hammer Gel doesn’t set off wild insulin spikes causing “sugar high” and “sugar crash.” You won’t find our products saturated with cheap, ineffective, commercial-grade sugars, which can ruin health and affect performance.
Hammer Gel is an easily digested, concentrated source of complex carbohydrates, with four amino acids added to enhance performance and prolong energy levels during intense training and competition. Hammer Gel has a syrup-like consistency that mixes easily with water if so desired. You can drink it straight, dilute it, or use it to flavor other fuels and foods. Use it just before, during, and immediately after exercise.
Available in nine flavors plus unflavored, you’re sure to find a Hammer Gel you’ll love!
