Gatorade, Staminade etc - it's not all hype.

I got info from a forum post by fartherofmany @ Australia Cycling Forums


"Your body only stores a certain amount of available calories (1500 I think), the sugars - different types - in said drinks are relatively easily available calories which help so that your body is not depleted of its stores as quickly. Yes bananas are good but it takes time to digest them, they are not available as instant energy. Also too, your body doesn't just get rid of water in your sweat... taste it, it's salty, these drinks have a range of salts in them designed to replenish those lost. You need them along with water so your body can function, otherwise electrical impulses to your muscles won't fire/be received as they should, end result is a lack of strength and an inability to continue riding. Yes bananas have potassium, but agai... a longer time to digest it.

All this said, it really depends on how hard and fast you are going.

Why do the pros use a mix of sandwiches and Gels, Sandwiches for long term energy, they have to cycle all day, Gels are plain and simply Sugar, instant energy for waht they are doing now.

Different tools for different jobs."