Cyclic dextrin is a relatively new carbohydrate source that is produced from corn starch through an enzymatic process. This process drastically changes the structure of the starch allowing a number of benefits for endurance athletes.
First, cyclic dextrin has a very fast gastric emptying time. [1] [2] This means carbohydrates stay in the stomach for less time, creating much less digestive discomfort. This aspect is especially important during long races, during which the ingestion of carbohydrates in large quantities is crucial. Athletes aiming to maximize their performance try to get between 80 and 100g of carbohydrates per hour of effort. This constitutes a considerable quantity which makes the digestive discomforts important and which too often can harm the achievement of its objectives. When it is no longer possible to ingest carbohydrates due to heartache, problems of low energy begin and are very difficult to overcome.
Also, cyclic dextrin, compared to other sources of carbohydrates such as maltodextrin, makes it possible to reduce the perception of fatigue as well as to delay it, on efforts exceeding 30 minutes. [3] [4] It goes without saying that this kind of attribute is very interesting for endurance athletes. The level of energy over long events is one of the determining factors of performance, and reducing the perception of fatigue over time contributes to a better ability to generate long, constant efforts.
Taken together, these two aspects of cyclic dextrin contribute to allowing the continuous ingestion of a source of carbohydrates for long periods and, by the same token, maintaining a constant level of energy throughout the effort, by delaying the onset of fatigue.
By using 16g of cyclic dextrin over the 25g of carbohydrates in the UPIKA Endurance and UPIKA Endurance+ formula, we provide athletes with a premium source of carbohydrates. This provides the necessary energy in the form of liquid nutrition, greatly reducing the chances of digestive problems while ensuring that you stay hydrated thanks to the sodium and electrolytes present in the formula.
UPIKA is the perfect product to put in your water bottles!
[1] Takii, H., Takii, NY, Kometani, T., Nishimura, T., Nakae, T., Kuriki, T., & Fushiki, T. (2005). Fluids
containing a highly branched cyclic dextrin influences the gastric emptying rate. International journal of
sports medicine, 26(4), 314-319.
[2] Takii, H., KOMETANI, T., NISHIMURA, T., KURIKI, T., & FUSHIKI, T. (2004). A sports drink based on highly
branched cyclic dextrin generates few gastrointestinal disorders in untrained men during bicycle
exercise. Food science and technology research, 10(4), 428-431.
[3] Kometani T, Takii H, Shiraki T, Nomura T. Endurance enhancing effect of cyclic cluster dextrin. FOOD
Style21. 2003;7:62–65.
[4] Fashiki, T., Tanimoto, H., Yokoyama, Y., Kitaura, Y., Kuriki, T., & Shimomura, Y. (2014). Effects of
ingesting highly branched cyclic dextrin during endurance exercise on rating of perceived exertion and
blood components associated with energy metabolism. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry,
78(12), 2117-2119.