FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Carb-BOOM?
Carb-BOOM is a great tasting carbohydrate gel made up of concentrated complex carbohydrates and real fruit. Carb-BOOM is specially formulated for easy digestion and fast replenishment of energy before, during and after strenuous exercise.
Who should use Carb-BOOM?
Carb-BOOM can benefit competitive athletes, recreational athletes, diabetics, and anyone else looking for a quick source of energy. It is ideal for sports such as triathlons, running, cycling, swimming, tennis, soccer, football, etc.
When do I use Carb-BOOM?
Before, during or after exercise. Carb-BOOM is a great benefit while you are working out or competing to help improve endurance performance and delay fatigue. In addition, Carb-BOOM is ideal to use after an intense workout or competitive event in order to replenish carbohydrate stores in the body.
How much Carb-BOOM should I take?
We recommend consuming roughly 1-2 packs of Carb-BOOM per hour during exercise to keep you performing at your best.
Should I take water with Carb-BOOM?
YES. The consumption of Carb-BOOM during exercise is not sufficient to replace the water lost from sweating in order to combat dehydration. It is very important that individuals participating in strenuous exercise drink enough fluid to stay hydrated. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), it is recommended that individuals drink 20-40 ounces per hour in order to replace sweat/fluid loss. In addition to concerns about dehydration, insufficient levels of water intake may slow down the intestinal absorption of carbohydrates. We recommended that roughly 8-10 ounces of water or a sports beverage be consumed per pack of Carb-BOOM.
Why should I use Carb-BOOM instead of an energy bar?
Many athletes prefer gels over energy bars because gels provide a super concentrated dose of carbohydrate that is absorbed very easily into the bloodstream. Additionally, gels are attractive because they are less "heavy on the stomach" and less likely to cause gastrointestinal distress than energy bars.
Can diabetics use Carb-BOOM?
Carb-BOOM can be a great resource for diabetic individuals and/or athletes. Our gels can be consumed with the same precautions that typically apply to diabetics and the ingestion of carbohydrates during rest and exercise. Although we do not have a specific glycemic index for our product, Carb-BOOM is made up of low GI (maltodextrin and fructose), moderate GI (sucrose) and high GI (glucose) foods. It is easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Each gel pack (1.4 ounces) contains about 27 grams of carbohydrates -- about 85% of which consists of complex carbohydrates. However, to be safe, a doctor should be consulted to confirm what is best for the particular individual.
I don't work out very much but like the taste of Carb-BOOM. Can Carb-BOOM benefit me?
Yes, Carb-BOOM is an excellent source of carbohydrate energy without giving you unwanted fat and fiber. It can be eaten between meals as a snack or whenever you need a quick burst of energy.
How long can Carb-BOOM be kept after it is opened?
Once opened, Carb-BOOM will stay freshest for about one week in the refrigerator.
What types of carbohydrates are in Carb-BOOM?
Carb-BOOM contains a special blend of about 85% complex carbohydrates (maltodextrin) and 15% simple sugars. This provides for a superior taste that is "not too sweet" so as to encourage continued carbohydrate consumption throughout exercise in order to delay fatigue.
Is there caffeine in Carb-BOOM?
No, none of the Carb-BOOM flavors contain caffeine.
What is the function of Citric acid, potassium citrate, sea salt in Carb-BOOM?
Citric acid, potassium citrate and sea salt present in Carb-BOOM provide an important source of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) to the athlete. Electrolytes improve palatability (taste), help maintain plasma volume during exercise, and help to restore extracellular fluid volume following exercise.
Does Carb-BOOM contain fructose?
Yes, in very small amounts. The amount of fructose present in Carb-BOOM is less than 1% of the total volume per gel packet. Fructose has received a fair amount of attention in the sports nutrition arena for two main reasons: 1) because it produces lower blood glucose and insulin responses than other simple sugars, thus potentially making it a more beneficial sugar for athletes than glucose, sucrose and some polysaccharides 2) when ingested in large amounts, or as the sole carbohydrate in solution, fructose may cause gastrointestinal distress during intense exercise.
Because of these reasons mentioned above, the use of fructose as the sole source of carbohydrate intake during exercise is still controversial. How does this issue relate to Carb-BOOM? The amount of fructose present in Carb-BOOM should cause absolutely no concern to the athlete. Carb-BOOM's primary source of carbohydrate (88%) is maltodextrin, which is a complex carbohydrate made up of various polysaccharides. Fructose makes up less than 1% of the carbohydrate content in Carb-BOOM. In fact, the combination of carbohydrates similar to those present in Carb-BOOM has been shown to be very beneficial during exercise. Several studies have found that using various combinations of carbohydrate (maltodextrin, glucose and fructose) is more effective in intestinal absorption than utilizing only one source of carbohydrate (like maltodextrin or fructose alone).
I am allergic to flour - does Carb-BOOM contain any gluten?
No. Gluten is found in many wheat and grain foods and cannot be eaten by individuals with celiac disease (people that are allergic to flour). The main ingredient in Carb-BOOM is maltodextrin -- a carbohydrate made from natural corn starch. Corn-based maltodextrins are safe for patients with celiac disease since they do not contain proteins from wheat, barley, oats or rye.
