GoNutrition 1 kg Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin

was looking for a dextrose replacement to use while exercising and this fits the bill perfectly. works quickly and no spike after training. I did 10k on Sunday without any issues.

As a keen cyclist, I tend to burn around 800 calories on a turbo and rides over 50 - 100 miles can cost me up to 3000 calories. I need to keep my energy up during turbo training and riding sessions, and I also need to replenish my glycogen stores and help with the muscle repair post exercise.This is the real plus point about CHBD, you can take it before, during and after.Coming in at only 99 calories per serving should indicate to you that the sugar level is low, and it is at just a measly 0.6g of sugar per serving but still delivering 25g of carbs. If you know anything about carbs and insulin then you will understand how this offers a great source of carb WITHOUT THE SPIKE. I have added the nutrition data sheet so that you can see what's what.The pack I received was cola flavoured (good taste and no after shudders or wincing when I finished it!😀), and mixed well in a shaker (don't shake too vigorously, do it just enough to mix).Verdict: It is intended to get into your bowel as quickly as possible to start the absorption process and it does exactly that. Giving you a great kick of clean carb energy without sugar, and for this it's brilliant. However, don't buy it if you do not take high-intensity exercise

Poor item. Poor taste absolutly disgusting and seller does not get back to you when you are prompted to contact them from your my orders page. Much better tasting products of better quality out there

GoNutrition Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin (500g) - Cola ChargeI take part in a many different sports and have tried all sorts of different supplements and products, as well as having a science background, so I like to understand what it is I'm taking. However, the online listing and pack don't provide enough information for me to feel I completely understand the science, hence the star rating. It appears to be a powdered complex carbohydrate (compared to a simple one like sugar) which should provide sustained energy, but insufficient and contradictory information is provided. There's no GI rating provided, and a portion provides only 99 calories which hardly seems worth the bother.=== THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT ===* The powder appears to consist of a powdered complex carbohydrate, which should mean it will raise the body's blood sugar levels slowly; the listing says it's "a relatively high molecular weight and low osmolarity", which is how you'd expect a complex carbohydrate to be described.* The online listing says the product "Reduces discomfort when ingested during exercise", meaning taking a drink with this complex card in it during exercise is easier to digest and sits less heavy on the stomach than, say, a flapjack, oatcakes or granary bread or a banana* The powder mixes easily with water in a shaker* The flavour is fine, like fizzy cola bottle sweets without any fizz, and with no aftertaste* The product is easy to drink and doesn't sit in the stomach weighing you down, meaning it's suitable for taking during exercise to provide a small energy boost (as well as before and after)* The powder comes in a hygienic re-sealable plastic pouch that stands up on the counter top* Also available unflavoured, which is more versatile because it can be added to whatever you like rather than being tied to one flavour* I've taken GoNutrition products before and found them to be of good quality.=== NIGGLES ===* The listing says the product produces "a large insulin response", but that is something you'd expect to get from a simple carbohydrate like sugar, rather than a complex carbohydrate. It doesn't make sense, because "a large insulin response" is what you get when you take a simple sugar that produces a sugar rush and insulin rushes in to deal with the sugar rush, leaving you with an energy slump shortly afterwards. Because of this contradictory information - and because this is a novel product I have little information about - I'd like to know where this product sits on the glycaemic index (GI). The GI tells us whether a food raises blood glucose levels quickly, moderately or slowly. For intense or prolonged exercise, what's needed is a food with a low GI rating (55 or below) which will release energy more slowly, providing sustained energy. What is the GI of this product? It is not stated.* A portion (half a scoop) provides just 99 calories, when hundreds or even thousands can be burned during an intense workout or sporting event, especially an endurance event. The recommended dose is just 1 to 2 portions a day, meaning less than 200 calories. You could get that from a few oatcakes at the fraction of the cost.For sale at the time of writing this review at £11.99.

Readily dissolves with little effort using a shaker, great cola taste too (although I prefer neutral personally so that I can easily mix with other powders.As someone who is just getting into distance running, I try to do one longer run every week. However I find that it is sometimes hard to keep my energy levels steady during, and to avoid just crashing afterwards and useless the rest of the day. Taking Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin helps maintain energy levels during and after exercise without the sudden spikes and crashes of glucose heavy supplements I've come across previously. I find this much more steady, helping me get through those middle miles on when taking before or during, or after as part of a post run shake.The science is that as a complex sugar, it slowly releases glucose into your blood stream as it is gradually broken down, but this is done over time. It's a natural sugar found in fruits, which is modified (like when you cook an egg) forming branches and more complex structures through enzymatic treatment. The result is a highly complex, very large sugar molecule, which is rapidly absorbed by the body but with energy only slowly being released.I'm definitely incorporating this into my routine, will update this review based on longer term results or if side effects are noticed.

Maybe I was expecting miracles but I'm not really too sure about whether this has any effect. I've used it a couple of times before my runs as at the moment I'm struggling a bit with my appetite and find it easier to drink a shake or whatever. My runs without breakfast are usually terrible so I thought I'd use this instead to get some carbs in me but I don't feel like it helped much. I'd have been better off having something I usually would when I have an appetite - usually just a very light breakfast. I like the cola flavour so I'm going to give it 2 stars rather than 1. Maybe my expectations were too high but I personally would keep my money and spend it on something else.