Science In Sport GO Plus Nitrates Gel

Science In Sport GO Plus Nitrates Gel contain nitrates, which can be beneficial to performance, so this gel might appeal to racers and sportivistes looking to improve.

The theory goes like this: the nitrates in the gel convert to nitrate oxide inside your body, which causes blood vessels to open, which in turn improves blood flow, which then means better oxygen supply gets to the muscles, which some sports science studies show can help you go faster, or further, or both.

The gel packaging recommends taking two gels per day for 3 to 6 days leading up to your ride. The SiS website recommends two to three gels for 3 to 5 days. So the advice is a bit inconsistent, but the overall idea is clear.

Does it work in practice? Based on a recent - and admittedly very unscientific - test, I'd say yes. I followed the packaging's recommended regime in the week leading up to a big sportive, and then during the sportive itself I went pretty well. (100 miles in less than 6 hours, thanks for asking.)

Of course it might not have been the SiS nitrate gels. It could have been the food I ate, the new chain on my bike, or any number of other things. But based on my experience, and if you're the type of rider always looking to gain an extra edge, I'd recommend giving SiS nitrate gels a try.

The main ingredient of these gels is chard (SiS call it Swiss chard; it's also known as spinach beet or silver beet, and is related to beetroot, although on this plant the leaf is the major source of nutrition rather than the root). There's also maltodextrin (from maize) and a bit of rhubarb juice, plus various sweeteners, preservatives and gelling agents.

There's also a lot of water, meaning GO Gel plus Nitrates is actually more like a drink than a gel, so it's a bit sloppy in the sachet, but that's not an issue as you're taking this gel at home or pre-ride, rather than actually consuming it on the bike.

This gel is available in only one flavour: peach. I couldn't detect the taste of this fruit but I did get a hint of rhubarb, which gives the gel a slightly bitter tang. It's not delicious but it's OK.

On cost, these gels retail at £1.90 each on the SiS website, or six for about £10, or 30 for £50. They're are also available at your local bike shop or sports store (and in some supermarkets). There are not many products from other manufacturers to compare this nitrate gel against in terms of price, although taking up to 15 of these babies before your big ride isn't going to be cheap - especially if you do a big ride every weekend. In reality, this might be something you'd use occasionally, before major events once per month for example, or a few times a year.

But in the end, it's not really a case of cost. It's a case of do you need this kind of product? I'd say it's definitely not essential for the vast majority of riders who just enjoy being out on their bikes. But if you're a rider always looking for an extra edge, I'd say it's worth a try. If you feel an improvement, stick with it. If you don't, then leave it.

Verdict

Could aid racers and sportivistes looking to go faster, or further, or both. Maybe