Manuka honey is an ingredient that makes the best energy boosting supplements for all aerobic exercises. They fuel, hydrate, energize and recover the entire body. Manuka Sport is the first producer that makes supplements with manuka honey to be taken before, during and after physical activity.
If athletes need supplements and they like sweet things like a regular person, then replacing supplements that contain table sugar with honey is the best choice.
Without needing to know any other bit of medicine, a person who does some exercise knows that sugar means carbohydrates and carbohydrates give us energy. Only that not all sugars are alike. The term “sugar” refers to all carbohydrates of the general formula Cn(H2O)n. Sucrose is a disaccharide, or double sugar, being composed of one molecule of glucose linked to one molecule of fructose.
Table sugar is the common name for sucrose. It is a type of disaccharide made from the combination of glucose and fructose (which are monosaccharides). The chemical or molecular formula for sucrose is C12H22O11, which means each molecule of sugar contains 12 carbon atoms, 22 hydrogen atoms and 11 oxygen atoms. But of course, we don’t care about what’s inside sugar. Suffice to know we need carbs to make energy.
Compared to regular sugar, honey has a perfect combination of sugars, especially glucose and fructose, (but also maltose, sucrose, isomaltulose with rapid absorption) which will be immediately turned into liver glycogen.
Isn’t glucose the best?
No. It was shown that eating glucose and fructose together (as it is found in honey) provides faster rates of carbohydrate absorption than the sum of glucose and fructose absorption rates alone. Similar metabolic effects can be achieved via the ingestion of sucrose – also found in honey.
Why manuka honey? It’s too expensive!
That’s true. But it’s also very good. Besides, not all manuka honey is expensive. Only the one with a high amount of MGO, or a high UMF grade. But as long you don’t use it for hard-to-heal wounds, bacterial infections or flue, you don’t need high UMFs and can still take advantage of all the other exceptional properties of manuka honey.
Tom Buckley, CEO of Manuka Sport, said “Raw Manuka honey, which is harvested from the New Zealand wilderness and extracted by bees, is all natural and offers a variety of health benefits to top athletes, weekend warriors and sports enthusiasts. It has an ideal ratio of glucose-fructose and is an ideal addition to your after-workout smoothie.”
The first manuka honey company to create a line of nutritional products dedicated to athletes is Manuka Sport.Its products include the following products: Manuka Sport Energy Gels, and Manuka Sport Hydration + Energy powder mix.
1. Manuka Sport Energy Gels
Manuka Sport energy gel is a non-sticky gel, easy to take on-the-go and on-action, specially formulated to fuel and hydrate the body through training and competition. It is manufactured in the United Kingdom in BRC Class 1 factory.
It has a citrus taste (or cherry) and does not interfere with digestion.
The pack contains 45 g of gel, with more carbohydrates than any other 45g packs. It delivers 27.5 g of carbs and 110 Calories per serving.
It contains:
– raw manuka honey from New Zealand
– glucose, fructose and maltodextrin
– electrolytes: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium lactate, magnesium carbonate
– lemon juice concentrate and apple juice concentrate
– 45 mg caffeine
– water
– potassium sorbate as preservative.
– No banned substances or ingredients WADA tested.
The pack gives you 27.5g of carbohydrates in a single 45g serving. It allows a balanced energy release after ingestion powering the body through workout and keeping stamina and endurance high and free from fatigue.
With Manuka Sport energy gel athletes will be energized and hydrated before, during, and after physical activity.
Manuka Sport recommends the consume of up to 2 energy gel packs per hour during exercise, in addition to always stay hydrated.
2. Manuka Sport hydration + energy powder mix
Manuka Sport hydration + energy powder mix is specially formulated for sports’ hydration. it contains the ideal ratio of glucose and fructose and essential elements needed to boost stamina and feed your energy levels. Highly recommended when running a marathon or cycling through the mountains.
It has a great orange taste and provides 115 calories per serving.
It contains:
maltodextrin, manuka honey powder (manuka honey, gum arabic), citric acid, electrolytes (sodium chloride, calcium lactate, potassium chloride, magnesium carbonate), BCAA blend (leucine, isoleucine, valine), natural flavoring, steviol, glycosides.
How to use it:
· Add 35g (1 full packet) of Manuka Sport Hydration Energy to 500 ml (16.9 oz) of water in a shaker bottle and shake well.
· Drink 500ml (16.9 oz) every 45-60 minutes of exercise or as required.
· Once prepared, use within 24 hours.
The Hydration + Energy Powder can be ordered on the producer’s website.
“It’s the fuel your body needs to awaken its inner warrior.” Manuka Sport.
3. Manuka Sport Recovery Powder – Chocolate
Your muscles need to be invigorated? Take Manuka Sport recovery mix – a protein-carbohydrate powder made with manuka honey, loaded with whey protein, BCAAs and electrolytes, to quickly recharge your body.
It has chocolate taste and offers 153 calories per serving. A serving size pack has 40g. It can be added to both dairy and non-dairy beverages and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
It contains:
calories: 153
carbs: 11g
sugar: 5 g
sodium: 38 mg
caffeine: 20 mg
BCAA’s: Leucine: 2338mg, Isoleucine: 1258mg, Valine: 1273mg
Boost muscle recovery and prevent cramps with Manuka Sport Recovery Powder!
Picture taken at Spartan Race, on October 22, 2018, source instagram
Is honey good for all sports?
No. It is recommended to take honey after intense aerobic exercise: swimming, jogging, cycling or walking, also known as endurance exercises. Honey should be eaten instead of a fruit or a peace of glucose after 1 hour of aerobic exercise to replenish your glycogen stores.
The anaerobic exercises: short sprints, high-intensity intervals, and resistance exercise – weight lifts and working against a resistive force, also known as resistance exercise, do not trigger hypoglycemia and you do not need honey or other type of sugars. See details and studies here: Do you have low blood sugar after exercising? Eat some honey. But don’t do it in bodybuilding!
Manuka Sport products are independently tested and certified for MG levels in the UK to the ISO17025 standard, and are certified free of prohibited substances for the elite sport.
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References:
https://www.britannica.com/science/sugar-chemical-compound
