Accelerade Advanced Sports Drink (Lemon Lime)

Accelerade use a 4:1 mix of carbs and protein - but does it work?

Price: £21.99
From: Extra UK
Tested: Two months

In the world of sports drinks there are three main categories, fuelling, hydration and recovery. Using all these products can become an expensive hobby. However, Accelerade have this product which falls into the fuelling category but also touches into the hydration and recovery elements.

The drink uses the 4:1 ratio for carbs to protein, which has been studied widely in the sports nutrition world, and it is accepted that the addition of protein to a fuelling drink helps during exercise. More info can be found on the Accelerade website.

I’ve used the drink after several races and rides and it does seem to have a positive effect on my legs the following day

Anyway, enough science, what does it taste like and how does it perform? First things first, the Lemon Lime flavour comes as a white powder but when mixed is a vivid shade of green, which doesn’t look like it is particularly good for you. The recommended single scoop makes 350ml of drink, which isn’t an over facing amount and there are 30 servings in this 933g tub.

The Lemon Lime flavour is ‘interesting’, not particularly lemony or limey but it is a little soapy on first taste. After a few times I became accustomed to the flavour but I’ll admit it’s not a favourite. It’s also available in Mountain Berry, Fruit Punch, Tangy Orange and Lemonade flavours though. The consistency of the drink is thin because it is made with water but it isn’t powdery when mixed.

One thing that I have noticed – a definite plus point – is that this product doesn’t give the problem of ‘wind’ like many other cycling nutrition drinks. Maybe it’s because its not a pure recovery drink (these do seem to be worse) but it makes a pleasant change from the norm.

From a performance point of view, I’ve used the drink after several races and rides and it does seem to have a positive effect on my legs the following day. Don’t get me wrong, my legs still feel tired but they seem to be able to work a little harder on the bike compared to not having the drink.