# Energy gel > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Energy_gel > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Energy_gel.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_gel > Source revision: 1348327207 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Energy gels** are edible [carbohydrate](/source/Carbohydrate) gels that provide energy for exercise and promote recovery,[1] commonly used in endurance events such as [running](/source/Running), [cycling](/source/Cycling), and [triathlons](/source/Triathlon). Energy gels are also referred to as endurance gels, sports gels, nutritional gels, and carbohydrate gels.[1] Energy gels are packaged in small, single-serve plastic packets. Each packet has a strip with a small notch at the top that can be peeled off to reveal an opening through which the gel can be consumed. One-handed operation is often adopted by users to facilitate continuous exercise performance. ## Packaging and ingredients The size content of energy gels is commonly 1.2 oz (32g), with a range from 1 oz to 1.5 oz packets. The portable packaging is designed to facilitate uninterrupted training or performance conditions.[2] Common ingredients include water, [maltodextrin](/source/Maltodextrin), [fructose](/source/Fructose), and various [micronutrients](/source/Micronutrient), [preservatives](/source/Preservative), and flavor compounds or [caffeine](/source/Caffeine).[2] ## History Sports energy gels emerged in the United Kingdom in 1986 as a "convenient, prewrapped, portable" way to deliver [carbohydrates](/source/Carbohydrate_metabolism) during endurance events.[3] Gels have a gooey texture and are sometimes referred to as "goo" generically.[4][5] The gel Leppin Squeezy was distributed at the Hawaii [Ironman Triathlon](/source/Ironman_Triathlon) in 1988. Once considered a "cult product in clear packaging", energy gel products are now marketed in fancy packaging[6] and come in a variety of flavors.[3] The energy gel market grew during the 1990s, as professional athletes began endorsing products. Manufacturers generally encourage the consumption of multiple packets, with water, when participating in endurance events.[3] ## Use Energy gels are promoted to individuals seeking a boost from caffeine and carbohydrates during exercise performance.[7][8] The recommended use of an energy gel is 15 minutes before starting and 30–45 minutes after starting the endurance exercise.[1] ## Taste Energy gels have varied taste by addition of flavor ingredients added during manufacturing, such as [menthol](/source/Menthol) and [chai](/source/Masala_chai) [latte](/source/Latte).[9][10] ## See also - [Clif Bar](/source/Clif_Bar) - [PowerBar](/source/PowerBar) - [Energy bar](/source/Energy_bar) - [Food ration bar](/source/Food_ration_bar) - [Soldier Fuel](/source/Soldier_Fuel) - [Sports drink](/source/Sports_drink) ## References 1. ["Energy gel for running - how to use, ingredients and selection"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110223145404/http://www.half-marathon-running.com/energy-gel.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.half-marathon-running.com/energy-gel.html) on 2011-02-23. Retrieved 2011-02-15. 1. ["GU Energy Gel - Nutrition / Ingredients"](https://guenergy.co.nz/pages/gu-energy-gel-nutrition-ingredients). *GU Energy New Zealand*. Retrieved 9 December 2021. 1. Schwarb, John (January 3, 2003). ["Forget carb-filled bars, runners gaga for goo"](http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/03/Sports/Forget_carb_filled_ba.shtml). *[St. Petersburg Times](/source/Tampa_Bay_Times)*. Retrieved January 13, 2014. 1. Gallman, Judith M. ["Brian Vaughan: GU Guru"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003923/http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/Oakland-Magazine/January-February-2009/Dialogues/). *Oakland Magazine*. Archived from [the original](http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/Oakland-Magazine/January-February-2009/Dialogues/) on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014. 1. Blake, Judith (November 19, 2004). ["A new fuel for athletes: energy gels"](https://www.baltimoresun.com/2004/11/19/a-new-fuel-for-athletes-energy-gels/). *[The Baltimore Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)*. [Tribune Company](/source/Tribune_Company). [ISSN 1930-8965](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1930-8965). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140222010017/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2004-11-19/news/0411190030_1_energy-gels-power-gel-electrolytes) February 22, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 23, 2014. 1. ["The Energy Bomb - Chocolate honey for energy, focus, stamina"](https://get-zang.com/products/energy-bomb). *Zang*. Retrieved 2023-02-20. 1. Fukuda, David H.; Smith, Abbie E.; Kendall, Kristina L.; Stout, Jeffrey R. (1 September 2010). ["The possible combinatory effects of acute consumption of caffeine, creatine, and amino acids on the improvement of anaerobic running performance in humans"](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0271531710001776). *Nutrition Research*. **30** (9): 607–614. [doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2010.09.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2010.09.004). [PMID 20934602](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20934602). Retrieved 9 December 2021. 1. ["As Olympians Suck Down Energy Gels, A Believer In 'GU' Gel Seeks Reality Check"](https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/08/05/energy-gel-reality-check). *www.wbur.org*. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2021. 1. Stevens, Christopher J.; Ross, Megan L. R.; Vogel, Roxanne M. (27 November 2020). ["Development of a "Cooling" Menthol Energy Gel for Endurance Athletes: Effect of Menthol Concentration on Acceptability and Preferences"](https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/31/1/article-p40.xml). *International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism*. **31** (1): 40–45. [doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0190](https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0190). [PMID 33248439](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33248439). [S2CID 227218991](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:227218991). Retrieved 9 December 2021. 1. Taylor, Tom. ["How GU Energy creates its flavors in a lab"](https://www.si.com/eats/2018/08/10/making-of-gu-energy-gels-flavors-ingredients-chai-latte). *Sports Illustrated*. Retrieved 9 December 2021. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Energy gel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_gel) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_gel?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.