Trying Out N8's Re:Fuel High Performance Engery Gel

I don't depend on energy gels for ALL my runs, but I do take them during LSD (long slow distance) training or long distance races.

Although I do still prefer fruits over gels, realistically that's not always or readily available during my long runs or races. So energy gels are still something I look for during these kind of runs for sustenance and a quick boost of energy. Plus they're much easier to swallow not to mention stow. (wah, got rhyme summore).

Thanks to N8 Sports Nutrition, Malaysia's #1 Sports Nutrition Brand that is sending shock waves throughout the country; I had the opportunity to try their N8 Re:Fuel High Performance Energy Gel.

Their products are used by numerous top Malaysian athletes such as our top Ironman 2018 Mohd Amran and Alison Phuise, and top cycling team team SITRA and LOKKA. That's indeed a testament of confidence for their brand.

Before this, I was a loyal user of their N8 Endurance which I had even brought during my ultra-marathon in Japan a few years ago. (My first review of N8 Endurance can be read here)

It's funny how I had looked for energy gels from N8 Sports Nutrition when I started training for my Okhotsk-Abashiri Marathon in September and didn't realise that this Re:Fuel High Performance Energy Gel is one of N8 products. Duh.

At that time, I was unfamiliar with the name so I ended up buying gels from another more familiar brand. But it seemed that a lot of runners had tried the gels before, only I was quite blur about this. Hahaha

But hey! Now I finally learnt that it is indeed N8's product, I sure was very happy to try them and look forward to have them refuel me during my training runs and races. After all, I do need to start my training soon for Nagoya Women's Marathon 2019!

The packaging of N8 Re:Fuel High Performance Energy Gel.

I'm not sure whether the gel is sold individually as the ones I saw sold online and at the shop are in the box of 10 sachets.

Anyway, first off, its product information:

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 packet (50g/40ml)
Servings per packet: 1
Amount per Serving
Calories 100
- Calories from fat 0
Total Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 40mg
Total Carbohydrate 25g
- Sugars 17.5g
Protein 0g

INGREDIENTS
Fructose, Maltodextrin, Palatinose, Guarana Seed Extract, Gelling Agents (Cellulose Gum), Permitted Flavouring, Acidity regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate), Sodium Chloride, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid)

Directions for use
Consume one gel for every hour of endurance activities.

For Energy: Use one gel before starting your activity for instant energy.
For Recovery: Use one gel after exercise for quick glycogen replenishment.

Some highlights of N8 Re:Fuel High Performance Energy Gel
Palatinose - The Smart Carb
N8 RE:FUEL Energy Gel uses Palatinose™, a German grade sugar that is sourced from sugar beet. It is 100% vegan, kosher, halal and non-GMO (naturally sourced). Palatinose is a low GI carbohydrate that supplies the body with a more steady and prolonged source of energy compared to regular sugar found in other energy drinks. In a British Journal of Nutrition, Palatinose has also been found to increase the amount of fat used as energy, therefore enhancing performance endurance.

High Performance
N8 RE:FUEL gel has been formulated to provide energy instantly. That is why it is termed as a high performance energy gel. It is achieved through a special formulation method that allows the gel to be soluble and easily digested by the body for quick and easy absorption. This delivers the necessary carbohydrates to the blood for the body to use as fuel.

Caffeine
Caffeine has long been used as an energy booster for the human body. N8 RE:FUEL Energy Gel has 50mg of Caffeine, which is equivalent to a half a cup of coffee. The dose of caffeine is safe to the majority of users who are not sensitive to caffeine and safe for continuous usage especially during long hours of training.

Convenient Screw Cap
With a screw cap, you no longer have to worry about spills when tearing gels, or using your mouth and tearing off sweat/mud soaked gels while in a muddy terrain on a bike or run. It is also convenient when you're not looking to consume a gel at one go and is easily recapped for subsequent use.

Electrolytes
Electrolytes allow athletes to perform longer and stay hydrated for a longer period of time. They aid in cramp prevention and fights fatigue during long distance training.

It can be used for:
Endurance Training, Triathlon, Running, Cycling, Hiking, Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Rugby, Football, Swimming, Volleyball, Team Sports, Mixed Martial Arts, Taekwondo and any sport above one hour of activity.

A box of 10 sachets of the gel is RM90.00 and I got mine at EGO Sports at their Bangsar Village outlet. EGO Sports has 3 other outlets in The Curve Mutiara Damansara, Avenue K Jalan Ampang, and Wangsa Walk Mall Wangsa Maju.

Alternatively we can shop for them online at:
EGO Nutritions website
N8 Sports Nutrition website

The gel comes in a refreshing Green Apple flavour that I do like.

The texture isn't runny, it's more like the consistency of liquid gummy? I also do like the fact that the gel isn't cloyingly sweet and very easy to swallow.

The gel comes with a screw cap which is excellent, in my opinion. With a screw cap, I also don't need to worry about leakages of my gel, should I want to take only half a sachet and keep the rest for later.

I also won't accidentally spit off the top part of the gel when I tear them off during my run. No accidental litter, no matter how small they are, except if I accidentally dropped the cap itself lah!

But of course, the gel gets quite bulky with the addition of that screw cap but it's something I can live with. I know for some, this is not ideal for them, especially for some cyclists friends of mine.

Overall, I think N8 Re:Fuel High Performance Energy Gel is an awesome product because I personally like the flavour, its texture, and the screw-cap feature.

It provides just enough boost of energy during a run for me but I won't be able to provide any scientific basis on whether it will improve my performance. It does however, markedly help me feel full just like N8 Endurance did. And that's important for me because when I'm hungry, energy level can go from 90% to 2% in a very short period of time.

A plus point compared to N8 Endurance, the gel doesn't involve pre-mixing!

Any running improvements on my part will of course come with training, training, training. And N8 Re:Fuel High Performance Energy gel will help me that boost of energy while I train for longer runs, help avoid cramping and fight fatigue to make recovery in-between running and training to be speedier!

I read some of the comment followers of our Facebook page Cik Arnab & Kura-Kura made about the gel and it's quite interesting to learn about their views on the gel. You can read their comments about the gel here.

Anyway, to learn more about N8 products, events and promo, do LIKE and FOLLOW their Facebook page @N8SportsNutrition and their Instagram account @N8Sports