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Enervit Pre Sport Jelly

7
£2.15

VERDICT:

7
10
A light, pre-event dose of slow release energy in a convenient, easy-to-consume form
Weight: 
50g

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Enervit Pre Sport Jelly is, as the name implies, an energy gel intended for use before a ride. It is a thick, slightly chewy consistency and while the orange flavour isn't to my taste, the cranberry is better, and it does seem to provide a good, reasonably prolonged hit of energy.

  • Pros: Slow burn product for use before an event
  • Cons: Favours won't appeal to all

I tend to think of energy gels as being a convenient source of carbohydrates during a ride, but the instructions here are to consume one to two hours beforehand. The use of isomaltulose in place of other sugars is said to allow a lower increase in blood glucose compared to foods containing sugar, so it's not intended to be instant energy.

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Each sachet is 45g with 27g in carbohydrates. Enervit recommend taking a couple of them at a time.

The first thing that struck me was the texture, which is thicker than the average energy gel and presumably why it's described as a jelly. It invites a bit of chewing and I have to say I prefer this to the slippery consistency you normally get with these sorts of things.

The cranberry flavour I found sweet, but palatable enough. The orange was only tolerable. Sugary energy products can have a tendency to taste like cheap kids' drinks and the orange definitely has a bit of that going on.

In terms of performance, I'd give it a thumbs up. On one particular ride I went out and rode hard for a couple of hours and I definitely felt sprightlier than I normally do.

> Read more road.cc reviews of energy and recovery gels here

Maybe it was just one of those days and the gods were smiling on me, or maybe the Pre Sport Jelly played a part. I'd normally eat solid food an hour or so before a ride, so perhaps it was simply the benefit of getting the same volume of carbohydrates but with a little less in my stomach. That's perhaps a hint as to how this product is intended to be used.

> How to fuel right for long rides and sportives

At £2.15 a pop, Enervit Pre Sport Jelly is not cheap, but it's a slightly more specific product than the average energy gel, so you can probably justify a few extra pence on that basis. It's probably something that you'd use for specific events rather than day-in, day-out anyway.

Verdict

A light, pre-event dose of slow release energy in a convenient, easy-to-consume form

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Enervit Pre Sport Jelly 45g (Before)

Size tested: 45g

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

From Enervit:

Enervit pre sport is an energy product with carbs to be used before intense and sustained physical effort. Pre sport is fat-free; Isomaltose represents 30% of the total sugar in the product.

Take 2 45 g jellies 1-2 hours before intense and sustained exercise. Press from below to let the gelatine out of the package. Examples for cycling, mtb, running: 2 jellies from 2 hours to 30 minutes before sports activity. For team sports: 2 jellies from 1 hour to 30 minutes before physical activity.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Enervit:

INGREDIENTS (Orange)

Fructose syrup (42,9%) - Water - Isomaltulose* (16,2%) - Glucose syrup (15,3%) - Gelling agent: pectin - Acid: citric acid - Acidity regulator:trisodium citrate - Flavouring - Preservatives: sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate - Colours: paprika extract, curcumin. *Isomaltulose is a source of fructose and glucose. May contain milk.

Average nutritional values (per 100g)

Calories/energy in kcal: 980

Calories in kJ: 231

Fat 0g

Of which saturates 0g

Carbohydrates: 57g

Sugars: 54g

Salt: 0.6g

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

At £2.15 each, Enervit Pre Sport Jelly is perhaps a little more expensive than the average gel - but there aren't too many that are marketed as being specifically for use before a ride.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It certainly seemed to provide a good hit of energy for the first part of a ride.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I preferred the firmer texture compared to other gels.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The orange flavour.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, but only for occasional use.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

A slow-burn pre-ride energy gel seems quite a niche product, but it seemed to work for me.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 185cm  Weight: 77kg

I usually ride: Scott S40  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: general fitness riding

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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2 comments

Avatar
Yorky-M | 4 years ago
0 likes

Highly recommend Enervit for ease of intake, but agree,  the days of single use packaging are over.

Avatar
DoctorFish | 4 years ago
1 like

For that much money, and packaging, I'll stick with porridge with a spoonful of honey.

 

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