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High-carbohydrate liquid supplements
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
Some athletes train so hard that they have difficulty eating enough food to provide the carbohydrates needed for optimal exercise performance. Athletes who have this problem may benefit from commercially produced high-carbohydrate liquid supplements. Most products are 18-24% carbohydrate and contain glucose polymers (maltodextrin) to restore osmosis and potential for gastrointestinal upset.
High-carbohydrate supplements do not replace regular food, they are designed to provide additional calories, carbohydrates and liquid when needed, namely during intense training or carbohydrate load. Compared to regular high-carbohydrate food, liquid high-carbohydrate supplements do not contain fibers, reducing the amount of indigestible residues.
High-carbohydrate supplements can be used before and after training (with meals and between meals). If high-impact athletes also use these supplements during training sessions to obtain energy from carbohydrates, they have a very high concentration of carbohydrates, doubling their intake.
If athletes have no problem consuming enough regular food, these supplements are not necessary.
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