Apple Puree as a Natural Fructose Source Provides an Effective Alternative to Artificial Fructose Sources for Fuelling Endurance Cycling Performance in Males

Carbohydrate consumption during exercise enhances endurance performance. A food-focused approach may offer an alternative, ‘healthier’ given the potential health concerns associated with artificial fructose sources, but food-based carbohydrate sources increase gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. This study compared cycling performance and GI comfort of two different (fruit artificial) ingested exercise. Nine trained male cyclists (age 24 ± 7 years; VO2peak 65 6 mL/kg/min) completed a familiarisation experimental trials (60 g/h carbohydrate, 120 min at 55% Wmax ~15 time trial). In trials, was in 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio, provided as crystalline (GLU/FRU) or natural apple puree (APPLE PUREE) maltodextrin added to provide sufficient glucose. Time trial (TT) not between (GLU/FRU 792 68 s, APPLE PUREE 800 s; p = 0.313). No symptoms were significantly (p ≥ 0.085). Heart rate, blood glucose/lactate concentrations, RPE all, excluding glucose concentration, increased from rest further post-TT. Apple source provides alternative without influencing