Following the huge success of TORQ gel’s launch at the Cycle Show in 2007, TORQ are now launching a new flavour. Until now, TORQ have only had one naturally caffeinated gel option (Forest Fruits), so they knew they had to formulate another one. Think creamy buttery caramel with a hint of banana and that’s the flavour hit you’re going to get with this new gel. It also contains a whopping 89mg dose of natural caffeine though (delivered through Guarana), so it packs a huge extra punch.
Gel Weight: 45g
Price: £1.50 per gel
Here’s the science behind TORQ gel’s uniqueness:
Research-proven 2:1 Maltodextrin:Fructose formulation for 40% greater carbohydrate delivery. Wallis et al (2005). Oxidation of Combined Ingestion of Maltodextrins and Fructose during Exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Maltodextrin used in isolation has been proven to be considerably more effective than glucose used in isolation because of its lower osmolality in the gut. However, the research stated above compared traditional ‘maltodextrin only’ formulations with a 2:1 Maltodextrin:Fructose blend and the results are nothing short of staggering.
The reason a 2:1 Maltodextrin:Fructose formulation works so well is actually rather simple, but it has been overlooked by research scientists until recently. This is because Fructose (fruit sugar) has always been deemed slow and ineffective because of its low glycaemic index. Glucose on the other hand was the preferred sugar for use in sports drinks until Maltodextrin (a polymer containing many glucose molecules) was discovered.
Maltodextrin is the best carbohydrate to use in isolation, but what happens if you mix Maltodextrin with Fructose? Basically, unlike Maltodextrin and Glucose, which compete with each other for absorption, Maltodextrin and Fructose are absorbed in parallel, so you get the ultra-fast energy supply from Maltodextrin, plus the slower energy release from Fructose. In total, there’s a 40% greater delivery of carbohydrate to the working muscle. The peer-reviewed research study stated above is one of many recent pieces of research that have demonstrated these findings and ‘peer reviewed’ means that the results have been published in a reputable scientific journal. Be wary of claims by manufacturers that cite ‘University Studies’ without referencing a mainstream publication.
Based on the results of these recent studies, we suggest that an athlete consuming TORQ products can use 1.3 to 1.4 grams of carbohydrate per Kg of bodyweight per hour whilst exercising. For years, Sports Scientists have been recommending the much lower level of around 1 gram of carbohydrate per Kg of bodyweight per hour and this is all you can expect to absorb through maltodextrin only or maltodextrin/glucose based products.
Torq have developed a range of performance nutrition products through a need to offer the highest standard of support to the athletes they work with.
"We have uncompromising standards, yet we also have a conscience.
We absolutely refuse to use ingredients that are not derived from a NATURAL source, or don’t naturally occur within the human body. We are firmly of the opinion that artificial ingredients like sweeteners offer no performance advantage, can cause stomach discomfort and could potentially harm yourhealth long term. We see no point in including them. Advanced compoundslike D-Ribose, HMB and L-Glutamine naturally occur within the humanbody and represent some of the most potent supplements available onthe market today, so why would we want to use anything artificial?
Every ingredient we use is included to the levels recommended by available research. We do not cut corners and do not accept compromise."
