(corrected the subject line)
I’m experimenting with both right now. The ingredients are a bit different expecially in terms of salts and calories (per serving). I’m not sure about the sugars and don’t want to rely on the manufacturers ‘scientific data’. Any thoughts on which is preferable and under what conditions (environment, physique, length of race, etc)? Although I enjoy ‘gut feeling’ answers I would entertain hearing a few based on hard fact(s) as well.
THANKS!
I don’t have much too offer in terms of hard facts. However, my impression is that Endurox is marketed predominantely as a “recovery” drink and Sustained Energy is primarily meant to be a liquid food type thing.
That difference may account for some of the differences in the contents.
These drinks do not appear to serve the same purpose. There seem to be two categories of drinks mixes – hydration and recovery. Sustained Energy is a hydration drink while Endurox R4 is a recovery drink. Endurox has a “sister” drink called Accelerade that one can utilize for hydration. The data on recovery drinks is pretty well documented. Endurox has run some clinical trials on R4, which can be viewed here:
http://www.endurox.com/r4-clinical-trials.asp
The other recovery drink forumla that is popular is G-Push G4. It has more or less the same balance of protein and carbs that R4 has. The science behind G-Push products has been subject to a lot less verification then Endurox. However, you can see some testing of the G-Push hydration products here:
http://www.gpush.com/benofgpus.html
Bascially you should find a hydration drink that works for you over the distance you are racing. Key considerations are calories, taste (cold and warm) and digestability. After LSRun/Ride workouts and BT workouts also take in a recovery drink to aide the healing process.
Must go ride.
I tried Accelerade last year, didn’t like the weird aftertaste. I love Cytomax, I’ve tried several different flavors. Don’t like their pre workout/race drink, though. Anyone have gel opinions? I’ve tried different ones, they all seem similar except hammer gel is not as thick. I’m thinking of trying lava gel and cytomax gel.
For what it is worth, I have done a lot of research on the Acesulfame K used as a sweetner in Cytomax and a few other sports drinks on the tri scene. I used to use Cytomax and found it to be very beneficial for training and racing but actually stopped using the product after the findings on Acesulfame K. Basically, it is a severe aggravator of possible causitive agent in both upper respiratory infections and asthma. It has also been found to cause fibrocystic breast issues in women. Effects of long term use has not been determined, but I can just imagine. I switched to Accelerade and really like it a lot. It took some getting used to as far as taste, but it works and I don’t have to worry about all the possible long term side effects.
**lwarren, can you list some other recovery and/or hydration drinks that don’t contain **Acesulfame K?
yikes! thanks, one more thing to worry about
Hey lwarren, which flavor of accelerade are you taking? I found the fruit punch way better than the orange.
Absolutely! 
I actually like them all, they have changed the formula a tad, but I still enjoy the taste. The fruit punch is a hands down favorite of mine as well. Happy “Accelerading” -
Nothing to worry about, it just means that as athletes we are responsible, as always, for what we put into our bodies. It seemed to make no sense to get into a sport for the health benefits and pure enjoyment only to ingest something that would possibly have dire consequences later on. I say this because after using Cytomax for 2 years had developed a chronic upper respiratory congestion and breast cyst that was so painful I was unable to sleep at night. After researching the sweetening agent Acesulfame K, I found out it caused the very problems I was having - totally blew me away. Within 2 months of stopping the product both issues were resolved! I am not saying that everyone who ingest products with this sweetening agent in it will experience what I did, but I am saying to do the research on what you are putting into your body on a daily basis. I encourage you to do even a minimal search on the sports supplements that you put into your body for the sport you love. Happy tri-ing ;)!
I looked at the cannister and on their website and I see no reference to acesulfame K.
I’m a total idiot. I meant Accelerade vs. Sustained Energy! Endurox is a recovery drink. Jeez. Sorry for the confusion.
A Google search of “Acesulfame K breast” turned up all sorts of refereces to Acesulfame K causing breast tumors (most pages were apparently derived from the same source)
A Medline search of “Acesulfame K breast” turned up no articles. The obvious conclusion is that any connection of Acesulfame K with breast tumors is urban legend BS.
"I encourage you to do even a minimal search on the sports supplements "
I agree, but just because you find information on the internet, doesn’t mean it’s true…
Sustained Energy it mixes well in a bottle and at least for me has never caused digestion problems. Also, I think I’ve said it before it made in Whitefish Montana about 40 miles from where I grew up and trust me besides skiing there is not much of an economy to speak of so I support them.
Look up “acesulfame potassium” on Pub med or medline
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i have tried both as well as carbopro, and have always gone back to sustained energy. granted i’m from the area where it’s made and they have always treated me very well, but i truly believe it is the best product out there, especially for the longer distances. i’ve never had the stomach problems that others talk about in the heat/humidity (kona, etc.) and perhaps i’m just lucky with a tough stomach. accelerade or even endurox tastes much better, but when you’re working out things that are sweet/taste good while sitting around, may be too sweet when exercising. with SE you can use some of the gels that they make (apple cinnamon is a favorite) and put some into the drink, that way it gives it a bit of a flavor. they recommend taking endurolytes to replace lost electrolytes. both these capsules and SE i believe are significantly cheaper than the other products. also another product that they make that i’d strongly recommend is perpetuem. this is more of a gel like consistency, and could serve as a major calorie source with the longer distances. i have never bonked using perpetuem and it tastes great! i think you could give both products (accelerade/SE) a try and if you’re into the longer distances, do a longer training day and see how you feel and recover. i think that’s the best way to go about it. if you call the e-caps staff they are very knowledgeable and will be willing to answer any of your questions (joe arnone is the one i’d talk to.) good luck with your choices and have a great day
cheers
I live ina tropical climate and used SE. However, when it gets warm sitting on my bike for several hours, it turns to sour milk. Smells like crap(stale) and taste worst. Didn’t work for me. Now I use carbo-pro and have not had any problems. Try and use the SE after it gets mighty warm on thos elong rides when the sun is out. You’ll see what I’m talking about.
However, I know of a few people who still love the stuff. To each his own.
I use G-Push. I think it tastes the best, especially when warm. G-3 has a little different taste by I am getting used to it. I notice that the product helps me with fluid absorption, which is one of my problems. I love the stuff but I think any of the other options you are considering are just as good. Again, find what you can stomach and stick with it.
I’m just going down the accelerade v perpetum vs gu2o path myself… I think I’ve ruled out the accelerade for reasons I can’t put my finger on (not your hard science you were looking for - seemed I had to suppliment with too many calories through gels and too much sodium). Gu2O I really liked the taste of, but it gave my stomach a really hard time - I’ll try again. I’ve tried perpetum and really liked it, easy on my stomach which can be quite finicky and I felt great after a 5 hour ride. I’m still supplimenting with the endurolytes. Consider egel - it’s thin like hammergel, tastes great, tons o’calories and sodium (thank you to Tom D who mentioned this product and now I’m hooked).
I’ve used Accelerade and like it fairly well. Here in Colorado they sell it at 7-11 in bottles already mixed and it tastes way better then than the mix from the can. I prefer the fruit punch flavor.
Has anyone tried the new Accel Gel? It has the same formula and might be good in races along with water.
Has anyone tried the new Gatorade endurance formula? I’ve seen the ads in the tri mags but haven’t seen the product in stores yet.
Don