The increased levels of carbohydrate in honey makes it a clinically proven option as a natural and stable energy boost for sports and endurance. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, whilst the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy delivery.
Capilano developed Honey Shotz as an all natural ‘Snap & Squeeze’ sachet, designed to provide a lasting energy boost for all levels of athletics, sports, endurance and healthy activity. Because honey is natural and packed with vitamins, and anti-oxidents, Honey Shotz are a great sports gel alternative for professionals, through to juniors, and are a favourite of Ironman World Champion, Guy Leech.
Proven to Pack a Punch!
Honey has proved it packs a punch as a lasting energy boost, after the US Honey Board reported favourable results from several clinical trials at the Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory. Three major trials* were conducted on honey vs other gels, carbohydrates and energy enhancers on professional athletes and cyclists.
- Their first study was conducted on 71 athletes, who were given different types of carbohydrate gels during training and race conditions which found honey could operate as a ‘time released’ muscle fuel for exercising muscles, and does not induce hypoglycaemia.
- The second study involving post workout consumption, discovered honey was the only tested carbohydrate gel to sustain blood sugar over the two hours following the exercise, speeding up and replenishing muscle recovery.
- The final trial focused on competitive cyclists who were given a honey, glucose or placebo gel prior to and at 21 km intervals of a simulated 64km race. Honey reduced the time to complete the 64 km time trial by over 3 minutes, produced over 6% greater cycling power during the time trial, which was equal in performance to glucose and high end sports gels and was well tolerated by all of the participants.
Honey keeps levels of blood sugar more stable than other types of refined sugar, which means it is great for everyone including juniors, recreational sports of all levels, and professional athletes to stop you from crashing and feeling lethargic.
Honey is also easily digested, with enzymes that help its own metabolization, and does not require water for its absorption unlike conventional sports gels.
Carbo Loading
The Australian Institute of Sport recommends Carbohydrate Loading as one strategy involving changes to training and nutrition that can maximise muscle glycogen (carbohydrate) stores prior to endurance competition.
In their program they list the addition of honey on certain foods to achieve an extra supply of carbohydrate. The strategy has been demonstrated to improve endurance exercise by allowing athletes to exercise at their optimal pace for a longer time.
World Ironman Champion, Guy Leech also recommends natural carbohydrates to improve endurance performance.
“You don’t get the same result if you don’t look after what you put into your body, so particularly when you’re competing at a high level or for a long period of time it’s really important to take foods that give you energy like honey and natural type of products- it can literally be the difference between winning and losing at a high level”- Guy Leech
According to the AIS, anyone exercising continuously at a moderate to high intensity for 90 minutes or longer is likely to benefit from carbohydrate loading. Typically, sports such as cycling, marathon running, longer distance triathlon, cross-country skiing and endurance swimming benefit from carbohydrate loading.
Honey used for carbohydrate loading prior to endurance can be achieved by consuming the substance directly or on other low GI foods such as yoghurt and multigrain bread. Capilano released Honey Shotz as a snap and squeeze delivery of pure honey for athletes, sports, gym work outs and a tasty natural energy boost.
Honey Shotz have powered:
The Data#3 Cisco Capilano Racing Team,
Gatorade QLD Tri Series
Ironman 70.3 Canberra
Weetbix Kids Tryathlon
Sydney Spring Cycle & Brisbane to Gold Coast, BMW Ride for Life Challenge
Bridge to Brisbane
Honey Shotz Links
Honey in Sport links
- AusSports
- Scientific American – Honey Heightens Athletic Performance
- Exercise & Sport< Nutrition Lab/a>
- Jissn – Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
* Kreider, R. Rasmussen,C. Lancaster, S. Kerksick, C. & Greenwood, M (2002) Honey: An Alternative Sports Gel, in Strength & Conditioning Journal, 24 (1)pp.50-51.
*Kreider, R Earnest, C. Lundberg, J. Rasmussen, C. Greenwood, M. Cowan, P. & Almada, A. (2007) Effects of ingesting protein with various forms of carbohydrate following resistance-exercise on substrate availability and markers of anabolism, catabolism, and immunity, in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 4 (18).