Metabolic Effects of Sucrose Ingestion Following Dynamic Exercise

B. Glace, G.W. Gleim, P.M. Zabetakis, R. Chan, M. Morales, J.A. Nicholas.

NISMAT & Nephrology Sect., Lenox Hill Hospital, N.Y., N.Y.

Ingestion of carbohydrate-rich beverages following strenuous exercise bouts is becoming increasingly popular among recreational athletes. We evaluated the metabolic effects of sucrose ingestion following dynamic exercise in eight well conditioned males(VO2max 55.4 +/- 2.8ml/kg/min). Subjects reported in a fasting state on 2 non-consecutive days and exercised on a bicycle ergometer at 70% heart rate reserve for 1 hour. Following exercise they drank 1 liter of mineral water or 1 liter of water with 200 gms dissolved sucrose. Energy expenditure and substrate metabolism, assessed by indirect calorimetry, was measured at 10 minutes, 40 minutes and 100 minutes post exercise.

                          KILOCALORIES/MINUTE
Treat       10-30 MIN          40-60 MIN           100-120MIN
Sucrose 1.55 +/- .04        1.75 +/- .04        1.67 +/- .05
Water   1.31 +/- .02        1.36 +/- .04        1.67 +/- .05
diff        17%                 29%                 23%
P          .002                .000                .000
                       RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE RATIO
Sucrose  .92 +/- .03         .94 +/- .01         .89 +/- .01
Water    .81 +/- .03         .75 +/- .01         .71 +/- .02
P          .02                 .000                .000

Caloric expenditure following sucrose ingestion was significantly higher than expenditure following water ingestion for each of the 3 measurement periods.  Caloric expenditure following an 800 calorie mixed meal has been reported to cause a 15% elevation over RMR in trained resting men.  Acute exercise prior to sucrose ingestion resulted in peak expenditures 29% higher than those following water ingestion.  Carbohydrate consumption following exercise led to increased glucose oxidation, whereas water consumption resulted in oxidation of fat stores.  

Clin Research 39(2):447, 1991