Carbohydrates (CHO) are metabolised by the body through the process known as oxidation. Oxygenation rates typically reach ~1g.min-1 during exercise when ample glucose is ingested. The faster the oxidation rates, the faster energy can be provided to the active muscle during exercise. It has been shown that fructose ingestion can further increase the rate of CHO oxidation.
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of fructose co-ingestion with sucrose during prolonged exercise in trained cyclists.
Ten trained male cyclists cycled on four different occasions for 180 min at 50% Wmax during which they consumed a CHO solution of either glucose (GLU), glucose + fructose (GLU + FRU), glucose + sucrose (GLU + SUC), or water (WAT).
Fructose co-ingestion with glucose can increase CHO oxidation rates during prolonged exercise (Trommelen et al., 2017).
Peak oxidation rates were 46% higher in the GLU + FRU group when compared to the GLU group.
Reference: Trommelen, J., Fuchs, C. J., Beelen, M., Lenaerts, K., Jeukendrup, A. E., Cermak, N. M., & Van Loon, L. J. C. (2017). Fructose and sucrose intake increase exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during exercise. Nutrients, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9020167
