Considering the modern reliance on energy gels and sugary sports drinks, its surprising that more riders arent aware of the potentially disastrous effects of excessive fructose consumption during long rides. Its well-established that high doses of fructose can lead to gastrointestinal distress, dehydration, and decreased athletic performance.
Given the abundance of research on this topic, its astonishing that so many professional cyclists and their sponsors continue to push products that are essentially sugar water. Do the marketing teams behind these products genuinely believe that the average rider is incapable of understanding basic nutrition, or are they simply more concerned with moving product than with the well-being of their customers?
Whats even more alarming is the potential long-term damage that excessive fructose consumption could be causing to riders livers and metabolic systems. As the popularity of endurance cycling continues to grow, its likely that well see a corresponding increase in fructose-related health problems among riders.
Can anyone explain why so many professional cycling teams continue to partner with companies that produce these sugar-laden products, when the science is so clearly against them? Are we really to believe that the marginal gains offered by these products outweigh the potential health risks?