Puresport has launched the Unflavoured Energy Gel, an athlete-supporting product that delivers 30 grams of carbohydrates through a DualCarb blend of maltodextrin and fructose in a one-to-0.8 ratio. The formula boasts no added flavoring or artificial ingredients, resulting in a clear, neutral-tasting product designed to combat flavor fatigue during long endurance efforts.
Research indicates that as exercise duration increases, the perception of sweetness intensifies, meaning a gel that tastes pleasant at mile five can become overwhelmingly cloying by mile 20.
Puresport’s carbohydrate-rich Unflavoured Energy Gels are also vegan, gluten-free, and Informed Sport certified. The company recommends athletes take one gel every 30 minutes. Dr Jamie Pugh, Scientific Advisor at Puresport, explains: “We have found that for most runners, around 60 grams of carbohydrate per hour is the sweet spot for performance. But consistency is where many struggle. Removing flavour helps athletes stay on track with their fuelling strategy, particularly over longer durations.”
Image Credit: Puresport
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Flavor-neutral Endurance Nutrition
- A rise in unflavoured formulations addresses flavor fatigue in long-duration events and enables modular fueling strategies that separate taste from performance dosing.
- Dual-sugar Carb Blends
- Blends combining maltodextrin and fructose in optimized ratios present avenues for more efficient gut absorption and sustained energy release tailored to athlete physiology.
- Clean-label Certified Sports Fuels
- Demand for vegan, gluten-free, and third-party certified gels is shifting product development toward transparent ingredient lists and trust-driven brand positioning.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Sports Nutrition
- Product portfolios centered on flavorless, high-carbohydrate options could redefine race-day fueling and mid-competition supplementation choices.
- Endurance Apparel and Accessories
- Hydration and storage accessories designed for consistent, timed dispensing of neutral-tasting gels could change how athletes integrate fueling into gear systems.
- Food Manufacturing and Ingredient Supply
- Ingredient suppliers focusing on tailored carbohydrate blends and clean-label processing techniques may unlock new B2B opportunities with performance brands.
