Can a Natural Sugar Variant Enhance Workout and Sports Performance While Aiding in Weight Loss?

Yes, it can. Here's the detailed insight.

The Sugar Industry's Retro Ads

From the 1950s to the 1970s, magazines were inundated with weight - loss advertisements. These were put forth by Sugar Information, Inc., an affiliate of the sugar industry. At that time, the sugar industry was in a state of panic due to health experts cautioning against sugar consumption and the growing popularity of diet sodas.

The ads promoted sugar as a natural product that could "reduce" weight, help one stay thin, and provide abundant energy. They claimed it could suppress cravings and boost willpower, even encouraging parents to give it to their children for the energy to do chores. Clearly, these ads seem laughable in today's context.

Understanding "Sugar" - Isomaltulose

However, it's important to distinguish between regular sugar and a particular "sugar" known as isomaltulose or Palatinose. Chemically, it is a disaccharide carbohydrate made up of glucose and fructose, with a molecular formula of C12H22O11. Despite its chemical - sounding nature, it occurs naturally, with one variety derived from beets.

The Isomaltulose Advantage

• Sweetness and Digestion: As a sweetener, isomaltulose offers a mild, natural sweetness without an aftertaste. Significantly, its digestion and absorption rates are slower compared to sugars like sucrose (table sugar) or glucose.

• Functional Carbohydrate: Isomaltulose is classified as a "functional carbohydrate" due to its low glycemic index (GI). It enables the body to utilize body fat for energy by enhancing fat oxidation to a greater extent than other carbohydrates. It is the sole carb that supplies sustained energy while facilitating fat mobilization, i.e., releasing free fatty acids from fatty tissue. This increased fat oxidation rate, in turn, improves endurance and athletic performance.

Research Backing:

• A study revealed that the percentage of energy sourced from fat in endurance athletes supplemented with isomaltulose was 25% higher than those who consumed maltodextrin (a common carb in workout powders and energy bars).

• Another study showed that isomaltulose caused a 55% smaller insulin increase compared to regular sugar. This study also examined its impact on GIP and GLP - 1, two hormones involved in regulating glucose levels and body weight. GIP influences insulin levels, while GLP - 1 enhances muscle glucose uptake, slows down food digestion, and reduces appetite. When subjects ingested isomaltulose, GIP levels increased minimally compared to regular sugar, where GIP levels more than doubled within 15 minutes. Regarding GLP - 1, isomaltulose caused a significant and sustained increase, which is beneficial for those concerned about body fat.

Train Harder, Win More

Cycling Study

In a study involving experienced cyclists, scientists aimed to determine how effectively isomaltulose could enhance endurance.

• Experimental Setup: Subjects consumed 750 mL of a drink containing either 75 grams of isomaltulose or 75 grams of maltodextrin. Subsequently, they completed a 90 - minute ride at 60% of Vo2max (to measure fat oxidation), followed by a time - trial with a ramp test where intensity increased at pre - determined intervals.

• Results:

• The isomaltulose group completed the time - trial in 30.05 ± 4.70 minutes.

• The maltodextrin group completed it in 31.08 ± 6.27 minutes. The "effect size" of over a minute can be a game - changer in a race, often catapulting an endurance athlete to superstar status.

Mechanism of Action

Isomaltulose spares glycogen in the muscles and liver, thereby enhancing endurance capacity. In the cyclists, ingesting isomaltulose before exercise promoted fat oxidation during the initial 90 - minute endurance ride. This conserved glycogen in the muscle and liver, which could then be utilized during the time - trial. Additionally, researchers hypothesized that the low - GI isomaltulose enhanced mental performance more than higher - GI carbs, leading to improved physical performance during the time - trial.

Benefits for Lifters

Isomaltulose is not only beneficial for endurance athletes but also for those engaging in longer or more intense gym workouts. It provides sustainable energy, promotes fat - burning, and supports muscular pumps.

Availability of Isomaltulose

• Isomaltulose can be found in Biotest’s FINi Competition Protein/Energy Bar (available for purchase on Amazon). Initially designed for an Olympic cyclist, it has been successfully tested by bodybuilders, CrossFitters, and various team - sports athletes. Note that on the label, the isomaltulose component is included in the Total Sugars count, as required by the FDA, but it is a distinct type of “sugar.”

• It is also part of the MAG - 10 Elite Recovery (available for purchase on Amazon) formula. More information can be found at the respective product pages.