32GI Endure Sports Drink review summary: It’s a powdered mix with 50 g per serving. It provides 177.5 calories and 44 g of carbohydrates, of which 37 g are from sugar. It also contains 232 mg of sodium. The brand recommends mixing one serving with up to 750 g of water to create a sports drink. The flavor is palatable with a mild sweetness.
Fat as fuel has long been a topic of interest in sports nutrition. Research has confirmed that the human body has abundant stored fat that can be converted to energy for endurance performance. Yet, according to other studies, fat oxidation might not be rapid enough for moderate-to-high-intensity efforts.
But being fat-adapted and providing the body with an alternative energy source besides glycogen undoubtedly has its advantages.
32GI, a South Africa-based sports nutrition maker, first came to prominence touting the ability of its products to promote fat oxidation in the human body for improved endurance. We recently tested the 32GI Endure Sports Drink on a 22 km trail run at a moderate effort. The experience was mostly positive. Scroll down to learn more.
Runivore has reviewed several other products from the brand. Have a read to learn more about the company’s product lineup.
32GI Hydrate Hypotonic Solution, Rapid Electrolyte Replenishment
32GI Sports Chews, Energy Sustaining Jelly
Fueling Osaka Marathon with Precision, Maurten & 32GI
32GI Guarana Caffeine Shot, Separating Energy Gel & Caffeine
Marketing claims – what is 32GI Endure Sports Drink?
32GI Endure Sports Drink is a powdered drink mix under the brand’s “Endure” range, which consists of products based on the low-glycemic index/fat-as-fuel concepts. Here are several selling points highlighted on the product webpage.
- Contains Isomaltulose, which enables a controlled and stable release of glucose. It’s naturally present in honey and sugarcane and is a fully digestible, slow-release carbohydrate.
- Promotes a gradual rise in blood sugar, allowing “energy source partitioning” to tap into stored fat for fuel during exercise.
- The sports drink reduces fatigue and gastrointestinal stress by eliminating big blood sugar spikes and troughs.
What are the ingredients and nutritional facts of 32GI Endure Sports Drink？
I tested the Orange flavor. Each serving of 32GI Endure Sports Drink is 50 g, providing 177.5 calories and 44 g of carbohydrates, of which 37 g are from sugar. It also contains 232 mg of sodium.
The company recommends blending 50 g of the powdered mix with 750 ml of water to create a sports drink packed with carbohydrates and sodium, the electrolyte we lose most through sweating.
The primary sources of carbohydrates are Isomaltulose, fructose, and maltodextrin. It comes in a 900 g tub or 50 g single sachets.
What is the taste of 32GI Endure Sports Drink?
32GI Endure Sports Drink Orange reminded me of the breakfast drink Tang. The flavor is fine, with a mild sweetness. It’s a bit too artificial tasting for me (however, the brand does specifically mention that it contains zero artificial additives).
It’s no fresh-squeezed orange juice but more than palatable as a fluid designed to deliver calories, carbohydrates, and sodium.
The product line includes four other flavors: Blueberry, Lime, Peach, and Raspberry.
When should you use 32GI Endure Sports Drink?
Despite the inclusion of an exotic ingredient and all the fat-as-fuel marketing messages, 32GI Endure Sports Drink is still packed with carbohydrates. Its function is mid-exercise fueling, and obviously, you can also drink it to load up on carbohydrates before a workout.
As a recovery drink, it’s excellent for replenishing depleted glycogen stores and electrolytes. Remember to pair it with a protein-rich supplement or post-exercise meal since the drink contains minimal protein.
How did 32GI Endure Sports Drink perform?
I ran a 3 km+ uphill out-and-back route six times, with a warm-up and cool-down along a flat paved road. Total distance and time on feet for the run were 22 km and 2 hours 47 minutes.
My efforts were moderate-to-threshold going up (though it got intense the last uphill) and recovery on the way down.
I made two bottles of sports drinks using the 32GI-powered mix. I only ate a banana 40 minutes before the run, so I relied on the sports drink to fuel the run. I placed the bottles at the start of the hill and took sips before heading up each time.
Here are my takeaways:
- With all the carbohydrate-packed sports nutrition I’ve been testing, my body is definitely less fat-adapted than it once was. Despite that banana, I felt “empty” during warm-up and the first rep. However, my energy level picked up during the second rep. My interpretation is that the slower-reacting Isomaltolose finally kicked in.
- After the initial “low” period, for lack of a better way of describing that feeling, 32GI Endure Sports Drink delivered stable energy. I didn’t get that “surge” feeling, but I felt very decent the rest of the way.
- I had no taste fatigue, or stomach issues.
- It was impossible to tell whether I was using fat or carbohydrates as fuel. The sports drink does list fructose and maltodextrin as its second and third most prominent ingredients (the amount wasn’t specified), so carbohydrate is likely still the main energy source.
Conclusion
32GI Endure Sports Drink is a powdered mix with 50 g per serving. It provides 177.5 calories and 44 g of carbohydrates, of which 37 g are from sugar. It also contains 232 mg of sodium. The brand recommends mixing one serving with up to 750 g of water to create a sports drink. The flavor is palatable with a mild sweetness, though very artificial tasting.
The primary carbohydrate source is Isomaltulose, a slow-releasing carbohydrate that allows a steadier energy delivery compared with conventional sports drinks. The company claims that the product is designed to enable the body to tap into fat stores as fuel.
In reality, it’s difficult to tell whether my fat-as-fuel mechanism was activated or that I was simply diligent in taking in carbohydrates. Regardless, 32GI Endure Sports Drink provided consistent energy via a palatable fluid and caused no stomach issues – everything a sports drink should have and do.
