The current online edition of " triathlete " magazine deals with inaccuracies in the ingredient listing of various sports gels from manufacturers. The article refers to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism .

The article addresses the inaccuracy of nutritional information on sports nutrition products such as gels, bars and drinks. New research shows that many products do not contain the amounts of ingredients stated on the packaging or contain ingredients that are not listed. This can be problematic for athletes who rely on accurate nutritional information to optimize their performance.

For example, an analysis of gels found that some products contained fewer calories and carbohydrates than stated. Spring Energy, in particular, admitted that their Awesome Sauce gels contained significantly less nutritional value than stated on the label due to manufacturing errors and varying ingredients.

The products tested were from GU Energy, Honey Stinger, Hüma, Maurten, Näak, Precision Fuel, Science in Sport and Spring Energy. The largest deviations in terms of the carbohydrate content were found in Spring Energy with 72%, Näak with 15% and Precision Fuel with 5%.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows certain tolerances in nutritional labels, meaning that a product that lists 20 grams of carbohydrates may actually contain only 16 grams and still be compliant. These discrepancies can add up during longer training sessions or competitions and affect performance.

The article emphasizes that similar problems can occur with other dietary supplements such as protein powders, pre-workout products and fish oil, which sometimes contain banned substances or heavy metals.

To ensure that athletes receive high-quality products, the article recommends the following measures:

• Listen to your body and pay attention to unexpected tiredness or hunger during training.
• Prefer products from reputable brands with independent seals of approval (third-party testing).
• Consult scientific reviews and product tests from independent organizations.
• Be skeptical of unrealistic advertising promises.
• If necessary, have products tested in a food laboratory.
• Check whether taking dietary supplements is even necessary and instead ensure you have a balanced diet.
• Consult with a sports dietitian to develop an individualized nutrition plan.

In summary, athletes should be skeptical when using sports nutrition products and pay attention to quality and accuracy so as not to jeopardize their performance.

Sources:
triathlete magazine
International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism