Recovery foods and drinks have saturated the sports nutrition market. The increase in those people who are scared of carbohydrates has created a huge increase in what is on the market. However it’s not all suited to the endurance cyclist. This is not for me to judge, I’m not a nutritionist. But I have tasted quite a few recovery products.
Most recovery drinks have a chalky texture, and seem very adept at mixing up into a paste as opposed to something readily drinkable. Except skim milk with a banana – that is always my fall back when available. For Marathon and Stage racing, these items aren’t always at hand. Cue an easy to mix and transport recovery drink.
GU Products have two products in their GU Brew range: the Recovery and Electrolyte mixes. The Brew formula is available in 840gram tubs and 60 gram sachets. Having tried both the Orange-Pineapple and Strawberry-Watermelon, I can assure you they stand out from a lot of other products on the market. Most obvious is the fruity and refreshing taste. It is something you want to consume, and it mixes easily in your bidon, without chunky bits left at the side, or on the inside of the cap. Or on your teeth.
Each 60gram serving of GU Recovery Brew contains 52grams of carbohydrates, 8grams of protein, plus Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Magnesium, L-Glutamine, L-Arginine, Sodium and Potassium. Of note is the use of whey protein isolate, no concentrate. It is said that this is higher quality, enhancing rapid absorption. Of course, this is no good for those with a lactose intolerance. The Amino Acids are common in GU products to help support your immune system. Vitamin A and C are there to help fight the free radicals that stress from exercise can create. The carbohydrate is a mix of simple and complex, to aid in rapid absorption, with longer lasting effects. This combination is very similar to the rest of the GU Energy Range.
In use, I was quite impressed. As mentioned, the powder was easy to mix, and with no funny smells or aftertaste. With the vaguaries of my day to day life, it is hard to judge the recovery benefits of the product. There were certainly no bad side effects, which can be caused by some protein heavy recovery products. For me, the ease of use and no ‘Clag Glue’ like texture made it an easy product to use. It was easy and appeling enough to come from a hot summer training session and mix up a bottle while cooling down and getting into the shower. No special mixing bottles or blenders, just mix it up in your bidon and drink.
Being available in single serve sachets is easy for travel if you’re heading to a distant Marathon race, or packing for a stage race. As it’s a nutrition product, the sachet makes for a great way to test the product too. Pick some up, and see if it works for you.