UK-based sports nutrition brand Protein Rebel has launched its new Maple Coffee caffeine energy gel, which contains Canadian maple syrup, sea salt and coffee extract.
Designed with runners and triathletes in mind, Maple Coffee provides an energy boost and with a claimed low risk of gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Each gel provides 27g carbohydrates, 110mg sodium and 45mg caffeine.
Priced at £21.95 for nine gels, the vegan and gluten-free Maple Coffee gel complements Protein Rebel’s Maple Ignite energy gel – billed as the UK’s first pure maple syrup energy gel. The brand’s Maple Ignite and new Maple Coffee variants contain… ‘Grade A Canadian maple syrup and the naturally occurring electrolytes sodium, potassium and calcium.’
“Maple Coffee gels are the perfect alternative to artificial and gloopy caffeine-infused gels that don’t sit well on the stomach and are often forced down rather than enjoyed,” says Tim Boote, Co-founder of Protein Rebel.
“Containing just quality maple syrup, sea salt and coffee extract with caffeine, the gels are unlikely to cause stomach issues and are both easy to consume while running and tasty – just like a smooth, sweet coffee.”
With 45mg caffeine per gel, Protein Rebel notes that Maple Coffee can be well-tolerated over long periods of use. Research has suggested that doses of about 50mg of caffeine per hour is recommended during ultrarunning events, as this effectively boosts energy levels and reduces the onset of fatigue with a minimal chance of side effects.
Boote continued “Maple Coffee provides runners with versatility over their caffeine intake. More caffeine is not always better; and so having a product that can be adapted to different races, situations and tolerance levels is key.”
Protein Rebel suggests that endurance runners’ caffeine intake should be around one Maple Coffee gel per hour over a number of hours to sustain their performance during the latter stages of an ultramarathon event – whereas runners covering shorter distances may benefit from a slightly different caffeine dosing approach, either increasing and decreasing their Maple Coffee intake to suit.
Boote added “Our natural approach to fuelling means that runners with stomach issues such as IBS are unlikely to suffer after taking Maple Coffee. The gel is also delicious, provides a noticeable energy boost and delivers added health benefits thanks to the micronutrients and antioxidants present in the maple syrup.”
