Here at HIGH5, we’re excited to launch our new Slow Release Energy range. Developed and tested with professional German cycling team BORA – hansgrohe, we’ve set out to redefine endurance nutrition.
Our new range of products provide you with a longer-lasting supply of energy and a hit of electrolytes. By working closely with BORA – hansgrohe, a team of world class cyclists and ambitious goals, we can ensure our products are fit for purpose and deliver unrivaled performance, helping you edge out any competition.
“HIGH5 are committed to push the science to create sports nutrition products that have a real benefit… with the Slow Release Energy range, they have delivered once again. Since we started using HIGH5 Slow Release it has played an important part in our day-to-day training and racing to provide us with long-lasting fuel. It also tastes great, which is important when the riders need a lot to stay fuelled.”
- Robert Gorgos, BORA – hansgrohe Head Nutritionist
Longer lasting fuel for sport
During endurance exercise, your body relies on carbohydrates for energy to keep you going. Currently, sports nutrition is focused around products that get absorbed quickly so you can get a fast energy boost. That makes a lot of sense when your energy levels are already dropping towards the end of your ride or run but is this the best strategy for endurance performance? A slower and more durable source of energy will keep your energy levels more constant.
HIGH5’s Slow Release Energy range contains Isomaltulose, a slowly digested low glycaemic carbohydrate (it has a low GI of 32, compared to a high GI of 86 for maltodextrin), that provides you with a stable and sustained energy supply for longer-lasting fuel during sport.
Isomaltulose is different from fast-releasing carbohydrates such as sucrose or corn syrup as its digestion and absorption rate is much slower resulting in less insulin release. Digestive enzymes hydrolyse Isomaltulose four to five times more slowly than sucrose because of a strong glucose-fructose bond. This in turn results in a slower release of glucose, slower intestinal absorption, and longer-lasting fuel supply to the body and brain. For athletes, this means a constant stream of energy over a longer period of time.
The slower but complete digestion and absorption of Isomaltulose creates a longer-lasting and steadier blood glucose response (unlike the big drop you see with high GI carbohydrates), which also reduces the release of insulin.
New electrolyte complex
Our new Slow Release Energy range has also been enhanced with Ocean Minerals. This is our most advanced electrolyte complex yet, providing you with an invigorating hit of magnesium and over 70 minerals and trace elements, to help you balance your electrolytes during sport. At HIGH5, we’re always looking to use natural ingredients where possible and it doesn’t get more natural than sourcing Ocean Minerals from seawater.
Tested by the Pros
The new Slow Release Energy range has been in development for some time, testing and tweaking the formulation and taste until we were satisfied the result tastes great. As part of our thorough development work, we’ve also been putting the products to the test with our partner BORA – hansgrohe to ensure the products deliver in the real world, under the toughest conditions.
"My energy levels feel a lot better throughout a ride. When taking Slow Release Energy Products, I can really notice how my energy is more stable. And the new flavours taste great!"
- Pascal Ackerman, BORA - hansgrohe
"I really like that the electrolytes are natural. The products also taste refreshing."
- Lennard Kämna, BORA - hansgrohe
"It’s really helpful when you can fuel your body from the beginning of a ride, knowing that you won’t hit the wall later on. I feel like I have a more constant energy supply throughout. Blackcurrant is my favourite flavour!"
- Marcus Burghardt, BORA - hansgrohe
The Slow Release Energy range
Available in all the main formats, drink, bar and gel, so you can take Slow Release Energy the way that works best for you. Just like our fast release energy products, we’ve only used natural flavours, no colourings or artificial sweeteners.
How does Slow Release Energy fit into your nutrition regime
One of the key benefits of Slow Release Energy is that it slowly provides your muscles with energy. To take real advantage of this, it’s important to start fuelling early on to drip-feed your muscles throughout your ride or run. This provides you with a stable and sustained energy supply for longer-lasting fuel during sport.
“We use Slow Release products in training for example to reduce the VLamax (lactate building rate) and therefore increase the efficiency of a rider. When racing, the Slow Release Energy products are used in the first 1 or 2 hours of a race when the intensity is rather low, for sparing muscle glycogen and increasing efficiency of fuel supply again.”
- Robert Gorgos, BORA - hansgrohe Head Nutritionist
How much should you consume?
When taking Slow Release Energy you should aim for around 60g carbohydrate per hour. This can be from the drinks, bars and gels so you mix it up. For example, you could drink 500ml and take a bar every hour to get to 60g carbohydrate.
Carbo-loading
Before an event or competition, pre-load your muscles by taking Slow Release Energy 90 – 120 minutes before the start. This will keep your energy stores filled for when you need it most.
High intensity exercise
There is a benefit using Slow Release Energy even when you take part in short and high intensity exercise but when you need energy quickly (for example, during high intensity sport), you should take fast-release energy products to provide you a quicker energy boost. When you take part in short and high intensity exercise, you can use Slow Release Energy in the 90-120 minutes before to pre-load your muscles with a steady energy supply. If you are doing an event or race, use Slow Release Energy early on before switching to fast-release energy products during the latter stages when the intensity is higher.
Ready to give it a go?
The Slow Release Energy Pack is a great place to start if you want to test our new range of products. It contains 2x gels, 2x bars and 2x drinks in a mix of all the available flavours. Get yours here.