In a 2012 test run by independent sport scientists, cyclists were asked to ride a 60 mile Sportive as quickly as possible. If they had anything left, they were then required to continue riding for as far as possible matching their 60 mile speed.

On one occasion: the test subjects used their own brand of nutrition, as they would normally in an event of this nature.

On another occasion: they used High5’s award winning EnergySource drink (with 2:1 fructose) and followed a scientific nutrition strategy as detailed in the High5 Faster & Further Nutrition Guides.
The test subjects rode 26% further (on average) using High5.

High5 (high5.co.uk) are no doubt pleased to have been at the heart of the study but how do you pick the right brand of supplement to suit your needs?

Jono Rumbelow of www.trifuel.com has some useful tips to share from his wealth of tri knowledge:

Well, choosing a brand of energy drinks or supplements needs to be addressed in the same way. All brands these days produce serving-size sachets for you to buy and try. In your first 8 weeks of training for a 70.3 or ironman (if you’re new to the sport) you need to use as many as possible to see which one makes you sick and which one gives you a boost. In short, you need to test which brand and which product(s) work(s) for you.

For those in a winter recess, now is the ideal time to test these drinks or supplements. Once you find the right solution, stick to it and never change UNLESS it starts giving you problems.

The last 8 weeks of training leading into a major race should be done with the exact nutritional drink, gel or bar that you will use on race day. Hey, I use cereal bars and a ham sandwich with butter and mayo on brown bread (weird, I know, but it works for me). As for drinks, I have my brand but would rather not mention it to avoid punting a specific one.

However, I have taken just 6 internationally recognized brands producing energy drinks that are available worldwide and listed the 45 ingredients used in some or all of them. The list is mind blowing to say the least, especially when you find a product with ingredients that offer no nutritional value to the human body.

Get Jono’s full list to help you make the right choice at http://www.trifuel.com/training/health-nutrition/carbs-electrolytes-what-energy-drinks-are-really-made-of.