Product Reviews: Accelerade and Accel Gel
Accelerade knows that Activeness Nation (that's you!) is serious about the active lifestyle and about using products that support that mission. So they sent us two of their latest inventions — lemon-flavored Accelerade sports drink and a few Accel Gels — for our personal use and an honest review.
Note: Activeness! does not own shares of PacificHealth Laboratories Inc. (makers of Accelerade and Endurox) stock. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
ACCELERADE SPORTS DRINK - Lemon Flavor
Rating: 3 1/2 water bottles (out of 4)
From the Accelerade web site: "Accelerade is the first sports drink that provides rapid hydration plus the added benefits of all natural protein to re-energize muscles during exercise and help muscles recover faster after exercise. A major independent study shows that protein-powered Accelerade, compared to the leading sports drink, increased endurance 29% and decreased muscle damage 83%." PEZ has more on the "independent" study.
Post-workout recovery:
I drank a water bottle of lemon Accelerade after a swim workout and found the taste very refreshing. It actually tastes like lemonade and I would drink it even if I wasn't working out.
In between workouts:
After a 7-mile tempo run in scorching 95-degree weather, I drank about 3/4 of a water bottle of Accelerade before I hurried off to a 1-hour swim practice. Things were going great until the final set, when I cramped in my calf. This had nothing to do with the drink: I didn't take in enough fluids and the conditions were too hot to expect a small amount of sports drink to stave off cramping.
During workout:
Drank it during a medium-effort, 2-hour bike ride. No problems. Tasted good.
During a race:
At the Duathlon World Championships, I used Accelerade as my drink during the bike portion (24.8 miles). Unfortunately, I lost my second bottle and only had 12 ounces or so to "ration." I had a strong bike split, but faded on the ensuing run — because I was toast and not for any hydration-related reasons. I used the orange flavor since I was traveling and had received some free packets at a swim clinic.
ACCELGEL
Rating: Inconclusive
From the Accelerade web site: "Accel Gel, the only sports gel that contains carbohydrates and protein in a patented 4-1 ratio, is unmatched in its ability to help athletes perform better and recover faster. Chocolate flavor contains 20mg of caffeine.
Features:
41 grams, 90 calories
95 mg sodium
40 mg potassium
Total carbohydrates 20g
Total sugar 10g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 100%
Iron 2%"
During workout:
I tried a single gel-pack during a two-hour bike ride. After taking the gel, which claims to be the first to contain protein, I had a slightly faster split in the second half of my ride with the same level of perceived effort. I was surprised at the odd taste and texture of the gel. My advice is to test this out to see if you can tolerate this issue.
I suspect Accelerade is onto something by incorporating protein in gels. I'd like to see some actual flavoring and less "protein-like" texture. I was surprised to see high fructose corn syrup as a major ingredient.
While I did have a good workout, one gel pack is not enough to make a conclusive assessment.
- JPD
Note from John:
During a long workout or race, I switch from water and Gatorade to Accelerade after about three hours. It feels better on my stomach and it seems like the protein energizes my muscles. I also use it as a post-workout recovery drink. I don't drink the stuff for the taste — and Accelerade is never going to win a taste test over Gatorade — but the new lemon flavor goes down easier and is a welcome addition. I actually liked the taste of the citrus orange Accel Gel that I tried. It's too early to tell if protein gels help, but, since I need all the help I can get, I'll buy more and find out.
Note from Anonymous Racer X:
Before I could conduct my taste test, my Ziploc bag of lemon Accelerade was confiscated by testy U.S. border patrol agents outside Baja, California. It's a long, sordid tale involving tequila, Scott Tinley, a lizard, and a lost bet.
Bottom line:
Lemon-flavored Accelerade and new Accel Gel: You have been Activated. Worthy products for any endurance athlete.
Note: Activeness! does not own shares of PacificHealth Laboratories Inc. (makers of Accelerade and Endurox) stock. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
ACCELERADE SPORTS DRINK - Lemon Flavor
Rating: 3 1/2 water bottles (out of 4)
From the Accelerade web site: "Accelerade is the first sports drink that provides rapid hydration plus the added benefits of all natural protein to re-energize muscles during exercise and help muscles recover faster after exercise. A major independent study shows that protein-powered Accelerade, compared to the leading sports drink, increased endurance 29% and decreased muscle damage 83%." PEZ has more on the "independent" study.
Post-workout recovery:
I drank a water bottle of lemon Accelerade after a swim workout and found the taste very refreshing. It actually tastes like lemonade and I would drink it even if I wasn't working out.
In between workouts:
After a 7-mile tempo run in scorching 95-degree weather, I drank about 3/4 of a water bottle of Accelerade before I hurried off to a 1-hour swim practice. Things were going great until the final set, when I cramped in my calf. This had nothing to do with the drink: I didn't take in enough fluids and the conditions were too hot to expect a small amount of sports drink to stave off cramping.
During workout:
Drank it during a medium-effort, 2-hour bike ride. No problems. Tasted good.
During a race:
At the Duathlon World Championships, I used Accelerade as my drink during the bike portion (24.8 miles). Unfortunately, I lost my second bottle and only had 12 ounces or so to "ration." I had a strong bike split, but faded on the ensuing run — because I was toast and not for any hydration-related reasons. I used the orange flavor since I was traveling and had received some free packets at a swim clinic.
ACCELGEL
Rating: Inconclusive
From the Accelerade web site: "Accel Gel, the only sports gel that contains carbohydrates and protein in a patented 4-1 ratio, is unmatched in its ability to help athletes perform better and recover faster. Chocolate flavor contains 20mg of caffeine.
Features:
41 grams, 90 calories
95 mg sodium
40 mg potassium
Total carbohydrates 20g
Total sugar 10g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 100%
Iron 2%"
During workout:
I tried a single gel-pack during a two-hour bike ride. After taking the gel, which claims to be the first to contain protein, I had a slightly faster split in the second half of my ride with the same level of perceived effort. I was surprised at the odd taste and texture of the gel. My advice is to test this out to see if you can tolerate this issue.
I suspect Accelerade is onto something by incorporating protein in gels. I'd like to see some actual flavoring and less "protein-like" texture. I was surprised to see high fructose corn syrup as a major ingredient.
While I did have a good workout, one gel pack is not enough to make a conclusive assessment.
- JPD
Note from John:
During a long workout or race, I switch from water and Gatorade to Accelerade after about three hours. It feels better on my stomach and it seems like the protein energizes my muscles. I also use it as a post-workout recovery drink. I don't drink the stuff for the taste — and Accelerade is never going to win a taste test over Gatorade — but the new lemon flavor goes down easier and is a welcome addition. I actually liked the taste of the citrus orange Accel Gel that I tried. It's too early to tell if protein gels help, but, since I need all the help I can get, I'll buy more and find out.
Note from Anonymous Racer X:
Before I could conduct my taste test, my Ziploc bag of lemon Accelerade was confiscated by testy U.S. border patrol agents outside Baja, California. It's a long, sordid tale involving tequila, Scott Tinley, a lizard, and a lost bet.
Bottom line:
Lemon-flavored Accelerade and new Accel Gel: You have been Activated. Worthy products for any endurance athlete.
posted by JPD at Friday, September 29, 2006
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