Why use 02 During: Gel

Both our gel and drink mix contain the same no-nonsense mix of 45 g of multi-source carbs and 343 mg of sodium. We did this for a couple of reasons: 

1. Highly functional and cost-efficient : 02 During contains a lot of carbohydrates per serving, and we did that because many athletes, for the sake of convenience or cost, don't easily get the right amount of carbohydrates per hour. Then, on race-day or the day before, they suddenly switch brands or to a much higher carbohydrate intake per hour, which can negatively impact performance rather than being beneficial. We wanted to solve this by drastically reducing the number of intakes (and thus the costs) per hour, so you can finally train with race-quality products. The price per unit might be higher than you're used to, but the cost per hour, training, or race is significantly reduced this way.
2. Minimise gut/GI-issues: If you have problems with large amounts of carbohydrates leading to cramps/gastrointestinal issues, there's a good chance you're mixing products with different carbohydrate ratios or using products with only one type of carbohydrate. This makes sense when you consider that the human body uses different transporters to absorb different types of carbohydrates. For example, glucose and maltodextrin are absorbed through the SGLT1 transporter, while fructose is absorbed via the GLUT5 transporter. The SGLT1 transporter can process about 60 grams of glucose/maltodextrin per hour. The GLUT5 transporter can absorb approximately 30 grams of fructose per hour. If done right, both transporters can therefore process about 90 grams of carbohydrates, provided the carbohydrates come in a specific ratio (2:1) to each other. By consuming a specific mix of different carbohydrates in that particular ratio, it's possible to maximise absorption rate and tolerance, minimising the risk of gastrointestinal issues when consuming 90 grams per hour. As mentioned, these transporters can be trained and can absorb slightly more than 60/30 per hour, but that takes training in order to prevent cramps/gastrointestinal complaints. Don't ignore these complaints, as they significantly affect your performance.
   
   Depending on the intensity and duration of your next session, you now use either one drink mix or gel (45 g of carbs) or two units per hour (90 g of carbs). Trained athletes can use up to three units (135 g) per hour.
3. Drink mix + gel... and not the other way around! We first launched our drink mix because we wanted to emphasise the importance of hydration. Adequate fluid intake is not only crucial for regulating your body temperature, lubricating your joints, or transporting carbohydrates and salts, but for many other reasons as well. So, when planning your next session, don't just think "carbs, carbs, sodium, carbs!", as you simply won't achieve what you aim for. Your first choice should always be the drink mix if you can choose between the two, and supplement it with the gel if you want to take in 90 g/h. If you can't carry as much water with you, make sure to drink enough water besides the gel at certain stops.

Key Benefits of 02 During: Gel

• Their drink-gel combination is the most efficient and effective choice for those who want to assist their performance during longer or intense sessions. Both the gel and the drink mix are formulated with both mono- and polysaccharide carbohydrates derived from maltodextrin (DE9), glucose, and fructose. This ensures optimal and consistent energy levels while minimising any chance of GI issues.
• To support efficient hydration, each unit of 02 During contains 343 mg of sodium, which is the only electrolyte that's significantly lost through sweat and thus the most important electrolyte to replenish. 
• Given the concentrated carbohydrate content in each unit, you can streamline your hourly intake to just one or two units. This not only simplifies your training regimen and reduces what you need to carry but also ensures you're maximising value with every session. This way, you're always powered by race-quality products.

Training your gut

"Training" encompasses much more than simply hitting the tarmac or crushing your 1's and 2's. If you aim to push your boundaries, it means training your gut as well. Training with the specific carbohydrate quantities, types, and forms (such as gels or drinks) that you intend to use during the next event or race can help minimise discomfort and optimize your carbohydrate intake. Using "cost-efficient" products during training, just to switch to different, "high-quality" or "premium" products on race day, is not a wise decision. You wouldn't practice on a tricycle to go competing in the Tour de France. Stick with what you know and trust; it's not the time for surprises - and off-season is the best time to test out a new system. Timing...