Carbohydrate Gel

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to the field of nutrition, in particular performance nutrition. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel carbohydrate gel comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1. The carbohydrate gel of the present invention can be used to treat or prevent problems with the gastrointestinal tract while allowing for an enhanced blood sugar maintenance and/or an increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carbohydrate gel comprising:
 a carbohydrate fraction that comprises glucose and fructose in a weight ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1, wherein the carbohydrate fraction of the gel comprises at least 50% by weight glucose and fructose, and wherein the glucose is present in the carbohydrate gel in the form of at least one glucose monosaccharide, at least one glucose disaccharide, and/or maltodextrin, and wherein the fructose is present in the carbohydrate gel in the form of at least one fructose monosaccharide and/or at least one fructose disaccharide; and   water at an amount in the range of 20% to 60% by weight of the carbohydrate gel;   wherein the carbohydrate gel has an energy density in the range of 600 to 1500 kJ/100 g; and   wherein the carbohydrate gel does not comprise protein and fat.   
     
     
         2 . The carbohydrate gel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one glucose monosaccharide comprises dextrose, and the at least one glucose disaccharide comprises maltose and/or cellobiose. 
     
     
         3 . The carbohydrate gel of  claim 1 , wherein the carbohydrate fraction of the gel comprises at least 85% by weight glucose and fructose. 
     
     
         4 . The carbohydrate gel of  claim 1 , wherein the carbohydrate fraction of the gel comprises at least 70% of the energy of the carbohydrate gel. 
     
     
         5 . The carbohydrate gel of  claim 1  having a serving size in the range of 10 g to 100 g. 
     
     
         6 . The carbohydrate gel of  claim 5 , wherein a serving of the carbohydrate gel is divided into multiple pieces of the carbohydrate gel, wherein each piece has a weight in the range of 3 g to 15 g. 
     
     
         7 . The carbohydrate gel of  claim 1  further comprising one or more additional constituents selected from the group consisting of vitamins, electrolytes, minerals, aroma compounds, caffeine, ginseng, kola nut, conservatives, guarana, acidifying agents, binding agents, gel building material, water, fruit juice, fruit, antioxidants, coloring agents, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The carbohydrate gel of  claim 7 , wherein the vitamins are selected from the group consisting of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Niacin, Vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, and combinations thereof.