Roy Jentjens1, Michael Ith2, Eva Scheurer2, Jacques Dcombaz3, Asker Jeukendrup4, Chris Boesch2
1Nestl Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland; 2Dept.Clinical Research, University Bern, Bern, Switzerland; 3Nestl Research Center,, Lausanne, Switzerland; 4School of Sport and Exercise Science,, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Prolonged, strenuous exercise is associated with liver glycogen depletion (hence hypoglycemia) as well as muscle glycogen depletion. This study investigates the hypothesis that ingestion of large amounts of maltodextrin-based drinks containing added fructose or added galactose results in faster post-exercise liver glycogen synthesis than an iso-osmolar drink with added glucose. In a double blind, randomized cross-over study including 10 well-trained male cyclists, liver glycogen was measured by 13C-MRS. Consumption of the maltodextrin-fructose or -galactose drinks during post-exercise recovery led to significantly higher rates of liver glycogen replenishment over 6 hours than when the iso-osmolar glucose drink was consumed.