The natural alternative to energy gels
Buzz Power is 100% maltodextrin free. It’s main ingredient is pure organic honey, which studies have shown to be a highly effective energy source with short- and long-term energy release.
- Kind to your stomach
- Fast mouth to muscle time
- No sloppy liquid
- No artificial flavours
- Low GI
Nature’s Super Fuel
Studies show* honey is one of the most effective sources of energy – delivering a natural performance boost with none of the artificial preservatives, colouring or sweeteners found in conventional energy gels.
*University of Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, 2001
Maltodextrin free
Malto-what? Maltodextrin is found in most mass-market energy gels, protein powders and sports drinks. It’s a cheap, heavily-processed, high glycaemic index sugar made from corn or other vegetable starch.
While maltodextrin provides short-term energy, it also gives an equally significant slump, which unsettles your body’s ability to manage a sustainable energy level. It is also associated with upset stomachs, bloating, cramping, nausea and even diarrhoea. None of which are optimum if you’re out running, cycling or racing!
Buzz Power is not a runny liquid energy ‘gel’. The consistency of Buzz Power is more like a syrup, which makes it convenient to ingest on the runbut equally easily absorbed into the muscles.
Try Buzz Power today. No slump. No slop. No stomach upsets.
Good for race times. Good for your health.
Nature’s Super Fuel
“Honey may just have it all – it is an entirely natural, vegetarian-friendly product that’s a great source of fuel for sport.”
As our good friends at Runner’s World say, honey really is one of the best sources of simple carbohydrate and is easily absorbed by the body. Studies have shown that honey performs as well as glucose (the energy source in most commercial energy gels) in sports performance nutrition.
However, honey is also well known for it’s antiseptic properties and antioxidant-boosting power, actively protecting the body from infections. As a result, it has plenty of powerful health benefits beyond sport.
Read on to find out how honey can benefit your recovery, health and good living beyond the finish line.
Health benefits of honey
1. Digestion
As a sugar source, honey is easy on the stomach and is said to be a powerful remedy for acid reflux and stomach ulcers. It’s also a prebiotic, which means it nourishes the good bacteria that live in the intestines.
2. Stings & sore throats
Honey is a natural antiseptic. If you have a less than race-ready sore throat, mix a sachet of Buzz Power with four tablespoons of cider vinegar and some salt, and gargle. If you happen to get stung, burnt or grazed while on a race or otherwise, squeeze some Buzz Power onto your injury – it will speed recovery and soothe pain.
3. Hay fever
Honey is widely known as an effective remedy against the effects of hay fever. The trace pollen in honey acts like an inoculation, which is said to lessen symptoms. If you love getting out into the great outdoors, don’t be put off by red eyes and wheezing. Find a local provider of untreated, unpasteurised honey and take a spoonful regularly.
4. Cuts, burns & grazes
If you fall off your bike, or take a tumble while running, you can use honey as an antiseptic salve to stop bleeding and reduce infection in dirty grazes (until you can clean it properly).
A side note: Not for babies
As a food, honey is a wonderfully nutritious, natural and tasty food. As Buzz Power is made from untreated, pure honey, please don’t give any to children under 12 months old. (Raw untreated honey can contain botulism. The risk is very small, and almost unheard of in the UK, but it’s best to be safe and protect our future runners and cycle champions. Buzz Power is 100% safe to enjoy after the age of one year old.)
As a rule, energy drinks, shots, or supplements are not given to children under 12 or even 16 years old. Let’s face it, they have enough natural energy already.
How to use Buzz Power
“Honey – the perfect running fuel”
When to use Buzz Power
Your body’s natural energy stores start to deplete after about 90 minutes during a decent long distance run or cycle. The signs are pretty clear: fatigue and ‘powering down’ is the obvious one. You’ll also hinder your recovery and could risk muscle damage if you don’t adequately manage your energy levels.
How much should I take?
Everyone processes sugar differently so create a race plan by experimenting when to use Buzz Power for maximum effect on training days. Each sachet of Buzz Power contains 24g of carbohydrate.
To maintain your body’s energy levels (aka: glycogen stores), Runner’s World say, “most runners require 30-60g of carbohydrate per hour. A tablespoon of honey contains 17g of carbohydrate – so two to three tablespoons every hour should keep your glycogen stores topped up”, or you can pop a couple of sachets of Buzz Power in your pocket.
Research published by the University of Minnesota in 2014 says that you need to consume 1g of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight will help you perform your best during a long distance race or training session.So, if you weigh 70 kilos (approximately 155 pounds), you’ll need 70gs of carbohydrate.
Buzz Power is more viscous than conventional energy gels (it’s a like a syrup), so you can take a shot and save more for later without it oozing all over your pocket (just roll over the sachet top). Plus, you don’t need to add any water.
Avoid waiting to hit a wall before you take Buzz Power – give your body time to metabolise the sugar. As with all energy boosters, it will take anywhere between a few minutes and 15 minutes ‘mouth to muscle’ time for Buzz Power to get going.
No slop
Honey is naturally viscous so you can take a shot, fold the top and use as required. Buzz Power is less susceptible to leaking and mess than other energy gels.
Buzz Power is made from pure, unpasteurised honey and, as a result, it may crystalise over time. This is normal. Your Buzz Power will still be as effective and delicious (and in fact many of our customers prefer the ‘food like’ texture of crystalised honey).However, if you prefer your Buzz Power to be more ‘liquid’, simply put your sachet in a bowl of hot tap water and leave for a few minutes.
Keep the outdoors great
One last thing… when you’re using Buzz Power, please don’t litter. Our ‘tethered tips’ are designed to stay attached to the sachet after opening, to reduce accidental waste. We’re working hard to find recyclable or biodegradable packaging but, until that becomes available, do your thing: pocket and bin.
Is honey good for sports?
It’s said that honey has been used by endurance athletes since the Ancient Greeks. We’re not sure if this is 100% correct but since the Ancient Greeks kind of invented the marathon, maybe they did. (But then again, poor Pheidippides died after running his 26 miles, so perhaps if he’d stopped for some honey, he would have made it to Athens unharmed.)
Does honey make you run faster?
What we do know for certain is honey is one of the most effective sports carbohydrates*, and performs as well as glucose (the simple sugar found in most energy gels). Additionally, honey has none of the sickly artificial preservatives, colourings or sweeteners that many mass-market energy gels are made with.
*University of Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, 2001
Fast Mouth to Muscle
It’s fast working too. Honey takes a similar amount of time to get from mouth to muscle as conventional energy gels – around 15 minutes. Which means, you get great taste, fast-working and effective energy, with no queasiness or stomach ache. Sounds pretty good right?
But don’t just take our word for it. Here are some great articles on why honey is good for sports and is a great natural alternative to energy gels:
Live Strong:Cyclists who consume 15g of honey prior to a race, and every 10 miles, perform better in time trials than cyclists who consume regular sports gels.
Scientific American:If you’ve been buying sports gels, you might want to try honey instead… Honey delivers a significant performance boost to athletes during strenuous exercise.
Runner’s World: Studies have discovered that as a sporting fuel, honey performs on a par with glucose (the sugar in most commercial energy gels).
Cycling Weekly: Honey contains a mixture of sugars (fructose and glucose), which increases carbohydrate oxidation; the two sugars use different absorption pathways. Honey has high levels of anti-inflammatory compounds.
The Times:Cyclists were able to cycle significantly faster after consuming honey.