NEW INGREDIENT FOR SPORTS NUTRITION… MAPLE SYRUP!

NEW INGREDIENT FOR SPORTS NUTRITION… MAPLE SYRUP!

Maple syrup as  sport nutrition

Maple syrup is 100% pure and natural, much loved and well known by Canadians, especially at breakfast time. Our understanding of its make up has increased greatly very recently as researchers characterized not just mineral and vitamin content, but also the nature of the sugars present and other compounds with significant antioxidant properties. It is well known, especially among Eastern Canadian athletes, as a great refuelling choice, particularly for endurance sports as an energy gel or, diluted, as an energy drink. In the last 12 months several companies, Brix, Rekarb and Endurance Tap in Canada and Untapped in VT, USA have started producing maple syrup in packaging developed specifically for sports.

Maple syrup differs from other sweeteners in that it is a source of minerals and antioxidants as well as carbohydrate. So how does it compare?

maple syrup versus other sweeteners for use in sports

        Source: The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Riboflavin (vitamin B2), zinc and manganese are required for carbohydrate breakdown and energy metabolism, as well as other vital functions.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Pure maple syrup contains many active antioxidant elements, like polyphenols and vitamins. Recent scientific research discovered that it combines many families of antioxidants, some of which are also found in berries, tea, whole wheat, flax seed and red wine, making it a great source of antioxidants, similar in strength to broccoli or bananas; the darker the maple syrup, the higher the antioxidant activity.

SUGARS

There are slightly fewer calories in maple syrup than equivalent volumes of other sugars, and these are absorbed slightly more slowly. This may be advantageous for the athlete especially when it’s combined (for example in a home-made energy bar) with other quickly absorbed sugars. It appears that one of Quebec’s most loved natural product, maple syrup, is set to take off as manufacturers of sport nutrition products strive to find the next best ingredient to offer their customers. Just remember, you can very easily use Canadian maple syrup at home to make your favourite natural energy gel or even sports drink.

MAPLE SYRUP SPORTS DRINK RECIPE,  750 ML STANDARD WATER BOTTLE:

630 ml water, 30 ml fruit juice, 60 ml maple syrup, 30 ml lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt:

Mix all ingredients until salt is dissolved. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Drink ad enjoy!

XACT will previewed a beta version of their soon-to-launch XACT ENERGY  maple fruit bar at Montreal’s salon du vélo, the Montreal Bike Show, February 2016. XACT tea-boy and chief bottle washer, Lawrence Colsell, said that XACT will make XACT ENERGY maple available via your local specialty run, bike or outdoor store in May 2016.

XACT ENERGY Maple bar will be the first Canadian brand to use maple syrup as an ingredient in an energy product for sports. Using Maple syrup instead of glucose syrup confers several advantages that are of interest for any athlete : true to XACT’s philosophy, fantastic taste, but also a source of potassium, minerals and vitamins as well as being lower glycemic index. Oh yeah, it’s vegan too, like all XACT ENERGY fruit bars.

maple enrgy bar for sport nutrition during effort

Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you hear about XACT ENERGY Maple and when it will land!

#FuelYOURgoals #theSapisRising #CanadianMapleSyrup