Q: What does Propel Fitness Water do for me that regular water can't do?
A: Propel Fitness Water is a new product by the makers of Gatorade. It is basically filtered, flavored water that has been fortified with a few vitamins. It is made to appeal to people who normally drink bottled water instead of a sports drink. The light flavor, say the Propel ads, might encourage people to drink more fluids so they'll stay better hydrated during warm weather or while exercising. If you don't like the taste of plain water, then this beverage might appeal to you. There are only ten calories in an eight-ounce bottle, so you can drink it often without tallying up too many calories. It is non-carbonated and does not contain caffeine. On the downside, though, it is just basically water that will cost you about a dollar for a 16-oz bottle. If you eat a fairly normal diet, you don't need the extra vitamins that they've added to this product.
Q: I'm interested in "energy drinks." Which ones are best?
A: Nobody markets their products better than the people who sell caffeine-containing energy drinks. ("Tired to wired in seconds flat," promise the makers of XTZ tea.) The key ingredient in most of these products is caffeine (about the amount you'd get in eight ounces of coffee), but some add extra ingredients like B vitamin, herbs, and amino acids. Here's a rundown on three of them.
All five flavors of Jolt are basically caffeinated soda, with about twice the amount of caffeine than you'd get from a can of Mountain Dew. If you don't drink coffee but want the caffeine, this product might work for you.
XZT tea combines an odd assortment of caffeine-like herbal stimulants - Ma Huang, guarana, kola nut - with kava, which is a sedative. It's not clear what the total mix does for you, but the drink is sold as a "synergistic blend of ancient mystical herbs" that promises to give you a hyper-caffeinated energy boost.
For an athletic edge, though, some people have found Red Bull, a sweet-tasting mix of carbohydrate, B vitamins, caffeine, and taurine, an amino acid. The makers of Red Bull say that your body may need more taurine during periods of extreme physical exertion, but this claim appears to be a little ahead of the science at this point. According to the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, there is no concrete proof that supplemental doses of taurine enhance athletic performance. The same goes for the B vitamins. Your body uses B vitamins in energy production, but most people get all they need from foods.
Bottom line - if you like the taste and think you need the temporary caffeine boost, give one a try. But keep in mind that improved athletic performance is probably going to require more than just an energy drink.
Q: What are energy gels and will they really give me extra energy?
A: PowerGel, Cliff Shot, GU, and others were introduced to athletes and other fitness enthusiasts several years ago. The contents of these little foil packages are essentially the same thing, about 100 to120 calories of carbohydrate. Some contain caffeine, amino acids, herbal "blends," or antioxidants. Do those products provide an energy boost for the user? Yes, in some situations. After running or cycling for 1 1/2 hours, some additional easily absorbed carbohydrates may keep you from "hitting the wall" or "bonking" (marathoner's and cyclist's terms for completely running out of fuel).
Note, though, that the amount of added vitamins or other "special" ingredients is so low that unless you were to make a meal of these products they won't offer any benefit. Besides, it is not proven that certain herbs or antioxidants enhance athletic performance in any way. And while these packets of calories are easy to transport, open, and consume in the midst of activity, other portable, high-carb snacks like fig bars or raisins are less expensive and will work just as well.
If the concept of vigorous exercise for more than 90 minutes does not faze you, energy gels may be a useful training tool. But, exercising for less than 90 minutes does not come close to depleting your body of it's own stored energy, so a packet of 100 calories it just that - an additional 100 calories. For many people, that is counter to the reason they are at the gym in the first place.
