Maurten Energy Gel 100 Review

In the past, nutritionists believed that our bodies were only able to absorb around 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour during exercise, but recent studies have shown that we can actually take up to 100 grams per hour when those carbohydrates consist of a 0.8:1 glucose to fructose ratio.

The previous issue with ingesting such a high amount of carbohydrates during exercise was the stomach distress it's known to cause. Maurten has solved this problem with the development of its hydrogel technology. This technology provides the ideal ratio of glucose and fructose in an encapsulated gel. The encapsulation allows the gel to bypass the stomach and smoothly deliver nutrients and electrolytes directly to the small intestine where they are absorbed.

With no added colors, preservatives, or flavors, the Maurten Gel 100 packs a simple punch of energy that is backed by some of nutrition's most advanced technology. Maurten uses hydrogel to deliver high-quality, efficient energy that is also gentle on the GI tract.

Our testers found that the Gel 100 delivered all that Maurten promised and more. Their only complaint was the unusually thick texture of the gel and the premium price tag. Despite this, they agreed that the gel was easy to ingest and provided almost instantaneous, long-lasting energy. Those with sensitive stomachs and those who struggle to get enough fuel during long, strenuous runs will love the Maurten Gel 100.

Read Our Review: Maurten Drink Mix

For convenient, easily accessible energy, Maurten Gels are a perfect pick-me-up. Designed to be taken up to every 15 minutes, Maurten Energy Gel is one of the most efficient ways to take in calories (up to 400 calories per hour) as you run.

Connor: "I really enjoyed the Maurten Gel and found it the most effective of the Maurten products I used. I like the convenience of being able to take the gel whenever I wanted throughout my run and found it extremely easy to get down."

Tracie: "I used the Maurten Gels in combination with the Drink Mix 160. I found that the energy surge was immediate and kept me feeling great throughout my entire workout of about 4.5 hours."

Due to its lack of added colors and flavoring, the Maurten Gel has a simple, sweet taste, but the hydrogel technology creates a thick consistency that may be hard to get used to at first. Our testers agreed that the quick-dissolving product is easy to get down once you've adjusted to the unique texture.

David: "The taste and texture were both noticeably different from other gels on the market. The gel tasted especially sweet, but the lack of added flavors or other ingredients made it easy to digest. As for texture, it was on the thicker side, but it went down smooth and kicked in faster than an energy chew."

Tracie: "I found the taste to be neutral and pleasant. The texture, however, was unlike any other gel I have had — somewhat like Jell-O. I found that I almost had to chew it, but it was an extremely easy and efficient 100 calories."

The Maurten Energy Gel is designed to be gentle on the digestive tract so your body can absorb the maximum amount of energy without stomach troubles. All of our testers were happy to report no digestive issues when using Maurten products.

Connor: "One of the strengths of this product is how easy it is on the stomach. During a half or full marathon, additional fuel is extremely important, and with Maurten, I feel confident that I'm getting the fuel I need efficiently with no stomach discomfort."

David: "I went out for three 16-plus mile runs with Maurten as my only nutrition source and never once experienced any digestion issues. On my typical long runs with other gels, I tend to start feeling hungry over the last few miles, but with the Maurten Gel, this was not an issue."

Ingredients: Water, Glucose, Fructose, Calcium Carbonate, Gluconic Acid, Sodium Alginate

The simple packaging and sleek design of the Maurten Gel make it easy to carry with you on long runs. Our testers also appreciated the large opening for efficient, mess-free fueling.

Connor: "I had no issues with the packaging. It was small enough to fit in my short pockets, and it was easy to tear and use while on the go."

Tracie: "Usually after taking a gel, I’ll find that the wrapper becomes sticky and saturated with the gel that was still lingering in the packaging. Because the Maurten Gel basically comes out in a big clean chunk, there is no messy residue left in the package."

Our testers found that the quality of the Maurten Gel was worth the high cost. They also agreed that, due to the price tag, most runners will probably want to reserve it for races or long runs where fueling and stomach issues become more critical.

David: "At roughly $3.60 per unit, these are by far the most expensive gels we carry, but they’re effective enough that I will use them for long-distance training runs up to a marathon."

Tracie: "Like the rest of the Maurten Energy products, these gels aren’t cheap. For those who can get past (or maybe even enjoy) the unique texture or who often experience severe digestive distress, I can see this product being worth the high price tag."