Carbohydrate gel drink does not improve cycling performance more than carbohydrate alone

Average sprint power was 284 ± 51 W for the maltodextrin-fructose hydrogel supplement.

• No significant differences in average sprint power were observed between the maltodextrin-fructose hydrogel, isocaloric maltodextrin-fructose, and isocaloric maltodextrin treatments.
• Power output remained consistent for all individual sprints across the different beverage treatments.
• Gastrointestinal distress symptoms, including nausea, fullness, and abdominal cramping, increased significantly over time during cycling trials.
• Few cyclists reported exceeding moderate levels of gastrointestinal discomfort, with no systematic differences noted among the treatments.

Simplified