Biogen Elite Endurance Range: Fuel Smarter, Perform Stronger

For every endurance athlete, whether they are a runner, cyclist or triathlete, months of dedicated training culminate in a single race-day performance, when they put it all on the line for that shiny finisher’s medal and, hopefully, a new PB. 

With the training sessions banked and your body race-ready after a taper, delivering your best race-day performance comes down to the right mindset and the best nutrition for your muscles, which makes the new Biogen Elite range your ultimate way to fuel your effort to the finish. 

Part of the Perform-X Elite series, this high-carb, high-octane endurance supplement range offers athletes an advanced fuelling option, designed in consultation with industry experts and athletes. 

The magic lies in the formulation – a 1:0.8 glucose-to-fructose carb ratio that supports better absorption, glycogen replenishment, and reduces gastrointestinal (GI) stress. 

Studies¹ show that a 1:0.8 glucose-to-fructose ratio can support higher carbohydrate oxidation rates, which means endurance athletes can convert more of what they consume into usable energy, which is the key to improved endurance performance when your training and preparations have to go perfectly to plan.

The ratio works because glucose and fructose use separate transport mechanisms in the gut.

• Glucose is transported via the sodium-glucose-linked transporter 1 (SGLT1) pathway.
• Fructose is absorbed through the GLUT5 transmembrane protein transporter.

This means that, while the human body can absorb and oxidise glucose at a rate of approximately 60g/hour² when glucose is combined with fructose, total carbohydrate absorption can increase to 90-120 g/hour.

While athletes can tolerate intakes of up to 90g/hour from products with a 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio, fructose is very sweet, which makes larger doses less tolerable from a taste and stickiness perspective³. 

It is only since products were developed with the 1:0.8 glucose-to-fructose ratio that more athletes have been able to tolerate up to 120g of carbs per hour.

A 2011 study¹ confirmed that ingesting 110g of carbohydrates per hour in the form of glucose and fructose in a 1:0.8 ratio led to a higher use in the muscle than the same intake in a 2:1 ratio. Moreover, the 1:0.8 ratio group performed better than the 2:1 group.

The ideal race-day fuelling plan should have structure, with timed feeds at regular intervals to keep glycogen levels topped up. The key is eating and drinking early and often according to a planned and practised schedule. 

Some people find it easier to eat more solid energy sources at the beginning, with liquid and gel feeds better tolerated later in the race as less blood flows to the gut as the body prioritises blood flow to the active working muscles and the skin (it’s called splanchnic hypoperfusion).

The Biogen Elite range offers a mix of solid and liquid energy options to suit every requirement and texture preference. 

The Biogen Elite Carb Bar is a textured, high-energy rice bar that fits perfectly into your pocket or pouch, delivering 30g of high-octane carbs per serving. It’s the perfect option when you’re in your seeded batch waiting to start the race.

Combine your bar with Biogen Elite Active Hydrate to support your hydration needs before the race starts. The electrolyte and energy matrix supports rapid rehydration and a cellular reboot.

The Biogen Elite Carb Drink and Biogen Elite Gels are your go-to options once the start gun fires. They leverage the latest research-backed advances in carbohydrate formulations, combining maltodextrin and fructose in the optimal 1:08 ratio to boost absorption and deliver more usable energy with less risk of digestive distress. 

With 40g of carbs in every gel, these are the perfect options to put in your pouch or pocket to use out on the road at regular intervals – two an hour is the ideal target. 

Get your supporters along the route to have a bottle or two of water mixed with a sachet of Biogen Elite Carb Drink. You’ll get a massive 70g dose of carbs per serving – perfect for when you want a break from the gels and can’t tolerate chewing. 

Another Biogen Elite Active Hydrate sachet after you finish is the ideal way to celebrate your achievement and start your post-race recovery by replacing lost electrolytes and depleted glycogen!

The drink, bar and gel in the Elite range carry the Informed Sport logo, which ensures athletes at every level can use these products with confidence knowing they are free from banned substances.

Whether you’re running a marathon or pedalling through South Africa’s biggest cities at iconic races this month, you can trust the Biogen Elite endurance range to provide the clean fuel you need to #BeYourBest and bag that goal time!