What is the best supplement for 1600 meter running? This is a common doubt among runners which is best. Everyone wants to know what the best supplement for running is. This article will explain complete details and comparisons about various supplements, sports drinks, and energy bars. Let’s start the post without wasting your time.
Best supplement for 1600 meter running?
1600 meters is a middle-distance running event. You have to use your endurance here. According to many studies, approximately 120–150 calories are burned for a 1600 meter run. Now here is the question of why we should take supplements. Our body has enough calories to spend.
But it is not the main reason to take a supplement. The supplement actually boosts your energy system, improves the recovery period, and most importantly supplements improve your mental stamina. If you are a runner I think you know how much important is mental stamina during a run.
The sports and running food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Day by day it is increasing, and becoming very popular. According to Grandviewresearch.com market analysis report globally sports nutrition industry in 2020 is 10.7 billion USD.
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| US market size |
Nowadays athletes of all kinds are looking for ways to increase their endurance & stamina, prevent fatigue, and give themselves the extra edge to succeed.
So that’s why sports companies researched and invented some great products like supplements, gels, energy bars, energy drinks, nutrition products and many more.
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| Best Supplement for 1600 Meter Running |
These products are designed primarily to provide quick fuel to the working athlete, but also to be digested easily, convenient to carry while running and walking, and non-perishable. Most of the following products can be purchased at local grocery stores, sports, and athletic stores, and often at fitness centers.
3 Best Supplement for 1600 Meter Running
- Sports Drinks
- Energy Bar
- Energy Gels
Comparison of Commonly Used Sports Drinks:
| Sports Drinks | Calories | Carbs % | CHO | Protein | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatorade | 50 | 6% | 14g | 0g | 0g | 110mg |
| Gatorade endurance | 60 | 6% | 15g | 0g | 0g | 200mg |
| Powerade | 70 | 8% | 19g | 0g | 0g | 53mg |
| All sport | 70 | 8-9% | 19g | 0g | 0g | 55mg |
| Accelerade | 79 | 6% | 14g | 3g | 0g | 125mg |
| CytomaX | 48 | 7% | 10g | 0g | 0g | 70mg |
Is Sports Drinks Necessary During Running?
Before I discuss the importance & benefits of sports drinks, first we have to know how it prepares. Sports drink supplements are made with water with a mixture of sodium, potassium, and various carbohydrates.
Sports supplement drink's main focus is to provide additional energy to your body and adequate hydration.
According to some fitness experts if your exercise duration is over 1 hour then sports supplement drinks are actually beneficial for you.
However, some research has also shown benefits for activities that last less than 1 hour.
In one hour or more of continuous running or walking, sports drinks can supply carbohydrates for working muscles as well as fluid and electrolytes (sodium & potassium) that are lost through sweat.
Read more: How Many carbohydrates should we take to lose weight
Read more: How much Protein Needs Per Day - Importance, Benefits
Here is the work of supplements. Sports supplements aim is to provide the optimum level of energy to your body for a longer period of time.
Why you Choose Sports Drinks for 1600 Meter Running:
Most people choose sports drinks but why? Why they can’t choose soft drinks or fruit juice. Because sports supplement drinks contain a huge amount of carbohydrates.
Juices and soft drinks typically contain 10%–11% sugar solution, whereas sports drinks contain approximately 6%–8% sugar solution.
Why Soft Drinks and Juices are Not for you:
Why soft drinks are not considered Best Supplement for 1600 Meter Running. Because Soft drinks and fruit juices also contain a high level of carbohydrates. But these drinks and juices are absorbed very slowly by the stomach comparing sports drinks.
That’s why athletes seem many problems in their body like digestion problems, gastrointestinal diseases, and many more. And it will gradually decrease your performance in the field.
The 6%–8% sugar solution in sports drinks allows for fast absorption, as well as energy. Look for sports drinks containing 6%–8% carbohydrates (14–19 grams of carbohydrate per 8 ounces of the beverage) and 100–200 milligrams of sodium per 8 ounces of fluid.
Read more: Guidelines for Proper Water intake and daily nutrition summary
Read more: How to Gain Weight? Most Recommended Methods of Weight Gain
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| Best Supplement for 1600 Meter Running |
What is an Energy Bar and When to Use It?
Nowadays energy bars can be divided into two categories: bars that are high in carbohydrates and low in protein and fat, and those that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates and fat.
Both types of energy bars serve a different purposes. But here I talk about the Best supplement for 1600 meter running. Then energy bars with a high amount of carbohydrates and a low amount of protein and fats are recommended.
Consume the high-carbohydrate low protein bars at least 30–60 minutes before a run, or eat small portions of the bar throughout a long workout that lasts more than one hour.
Walkers typically find the bars easier to digest while moving than runners. Bars high in protein and low in carbohydrate and fat are appropriate for a mid-day snack when taken several hours before a workout, or immediately following a workout.
| Energy Bar | Bar Type |
|---|---|
| Powder Bar | High Carbohydrate |
| Bolder Bar | High Carbohydrate |
| Clif Bar | High Carbohydrate |
| Luna Bar | High Carbohydrate |
| MET Rx | High Carb/Protein+ |
| Steel Pro Bar | High Protein+ |
| Balance Bar | High Protein |
| Pure Pro Bar | High Protein |
| Protein Plus Bar | High Protein |
How to Take the Energy Bar:
Drink at least 1 or 2 glasses of water during or after intake of the energy bar. Water will help to digests the energy bar.
Read the guidelines: For Proper Water intake and daily nutrition summary
Important Facts:
- High carbohydrate bars contain 55% or more of their total calories from carbohydrates.
- High carbohydrate/high protein bars meet both of the conditions listed here for carbohydrates and protein.
- High protein bars contain 25% or more of their total calories from protein.
What Are Energy Gels and When to use Them?
Energy gels consist mainly of carbohydrates (maltodextrin and polysaccharides). The carbohydrates in gels break down quickly into glucose to provide fast fuel for the body.
Energy gels mostly contain 20--40 grams of carbohydrates and provide 90—130 calories to your body. The most important things are energy gels are without fats.
Read more: How Many carbohydrates should we take to lose weight
Why Energy Gels are Best Supplement for 1600 Meter Running:
If you are going to be running longer than 60–90 minutes, fill your bottle with a sports drink and pack an energy bar or gel to take with you.
Energy gels are most beneficial to endurance athletes such as walkers and runners because they are convenient to carry, fast and easy to digest, and provide a source of energy during a long workout.
Read: 10 Superfoods for Endurance Athletes
Gels are not recommended as a snack before or after activity; instead, they should generally be consumed during a workout or competition that lasts longer than 60–90 minutes. Consume at least eight ounces of water with every gel.
Comparison of Commonly Used Energy Gels sees the below image:
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| Best Supplement for 1600 Meter Running |