Beets are so 2013. That鈥檚 right: maple syrup is the world鈥檚 newest鈥攁nd most delicious鈥攕uper fuel, and it will soon be available in tear-top packets like the ones used by Honey Stinger and Gu.
A new company鈥攃alled and backed by pro racer Ted King鈥攑lans to package the maple syrup as an energy gel. Each packet, which contains only pure maple syrup from 鈥攈as 100 calories of natural energy. It鈥檚 on Indiegogo.
Maple syrup has many of the minerals and electrolytes athletes need to perform at the top of their games. A tablespoon of pure maple syrup has two milligrams of sodium鈥攃ritical to help maintain blood fluid levels during exercise. That same amount of syrup also has 42 milligrams of potassium to prevent muscle cramping. Manganese鈥攁 trace element linked to better bone health鈥攐ccurs naturally in maple syrup, as does iron.
There鈥檚 more. According to a 2011 study from researchers at the University of Rhode Island, Canadian maple syrup has : one of the lead researchers went so far as to call it 鈥渁 champion food鈥 with many of the same healthy compounds found in berries, tea, red wine, and flax seed.
Plus, it鈥檚 a simple, easily digestible sugar. Pure syrup has a low glycemic index, which keeps you from constantly feeling hungry, and maintains even blood sugar and insulin levels. Maple sugars burn slowly and are absorbed slowly for spike-free energy. I would know: I鈥檝e tried the stuff myself.
I鈥檝e had the enviable task of taste testing Slopeside Syrup鈥檚 signature sauce鈥擥rade A Amber鈥攆or more than a year now, and have been purchasing Slopeside Syrup in bulk for use on, well, anything I can think of. The stuff is easy to stomach even on hot days and in the middle of epically long rides.
You won鈥檛 find any of that in Aunt Jemima. You also won鈥檛 find most of this natural goodness in any other sports gel. Then, of course, there鈥檚 the delicious taste.
$1.89/辫补肠办别迟听