What is in our gel?
The following post is a short breakdown of what you can expect to find in our products, as well as a brief description of why we use it.
THE CARBS
We use different sources of natural sugars, such as Organic locally farmed honey, and organic unrefined and unbleached cane sugar as our sources of carbs. Science has found that a combination of different types of sugars (Glucose and Fructose) is most effective in delivering the highest amount of carbs to your body to allow you to be your best, as different monosaccharides require different transporters through the intestinal wall. We do not use the highly processed carbohydrates such as maltodextrin, dextrose, pure fructose, and other syrups that are commonly found in your usual energy products; these ingredients have been linked to chronic gastrointestinal problems.
THE ELECTROLYTES
In our gel, you will only find organic pink Himalayan salt and some sodium citrate. The Himalayan salt provides the appropriate amount of Sodium, the most important electrolyte to replace as it is lost in the greatest amount in your sweat. All of the other electrolytes are lost in small enough amounts in your sweat, even during the hottest of days, so that you don't have to sweat about it. A high sodium concentration in your intestines is also needed for proper glucose absorption, which is a key reason for including it in the gel.
Other brands include ingredients such as magnesium oxide powder, which is not only completely unnecessary, but many of these powders are artificially made and very poorly absorbed by the body. Not to mention that the long-term effects of ingesting all of these seemingly natural but artificially made chemicals on our health have not been studied.
While we do claim that our gel is an all-natural product, we have to give you the full truth. Although sodium citrate is a natural salt that is found in fruits such as oranges and strawberries, the sodium citrate that is used in the gel is produced by the natural, biological processes of a mould called Aspergillus niger when it ferments molasses. Thus, it is not, by the strictest terms, a natural product, as it is made through a process controlled by humans. But its chemical composition is exactly that of the naturally occurring form. We also would not have included it in the product if there were any evidence of it being harmful (unlike some ingredients commonly found in energy gels), and this form of the product is even used in the medical industry to prevent donated blood from clotting while it is being stored. Moreover, it is a good source of sodium, and the citrate molecule is metabolized into bicarbonate in the body. Bicarbonate naturally occurs in the body and is one of the body's main natural buffer systems to prevent acidosis. During exercise, the body produces lactic acid, which gives off its hydrogen molecule, thereby making its surroundings more acidic, which can cause breakdown of molecules in your body and cause enzymes to be less effective. The extra bicarbonate molecules that you indirectly get from our product can help reduce these negative effects by helping to neutralise these acids.
OTHER
As a gelling agent, we use organic agar agar. It is a completely natural powder made from red algae. This is added purely for its gelling properties, which give the gel its satisfying and pleasant mouth feel. The gel that it forms is not sticky, but it easily dissolves in the mouth and the texture helps to offset some sweetness.
Furthermore, you can expect to find molasses sugar in our toffee gel, probably the least refined type of cane sugar as very little of the naturally occurring molasses are removed. Molasses is high in magnesium and iron. Our coffee-flavoured gel is made with freshly brewed cold-brew espresso giving it an irresistible strong yet soft and nutty flavor as well as that caffeine boost when you need it most. Organic matcha green tea powder is another ingredient that you will find in one of our gels, and it is a hyped ingredient for a reason. Along with its natural caffeine, it naturally contains many other beneficial compounds such as L-theanine which is known for its calming and mind-focusing properties, helping to balance and enhance the effects of caffeine. Our rooibos and lemon flavored gel is made with "stokkies tee" made from rooibos grown in the Cederberg and we use freshly cold-pressed lemon juice. Both of these ingredients contain a variety of antioxidants, polyphenols, and vitamins.
CONCLUSION
TRU is not just a sports nutrition company - together with you and our other supporters, we are a movement towards a more sustainable and healthier approach to fueling your active lifestyle. By choosing TRU's natural gels, you are not only investing in your performance but also in your health and the well-being of the planet by ditching the polluting single-use sachet gels. Join the TRU family today and experience the difference for yourself.
We also want to stress the point that this a high sugar product and should not be consumed as a snack when you are sedentary. Use it during sport participation or when life or work demands you to be very active physically or mentally and your body has a need for quick and easily digestible energy.
Leave the lies in the dust!