Water your beans

The Jelly Belly corporation has unveiled a new product line called Sport Beans. These Sport Beans are targeted toward the growing population of fitness enthusiasts and is Jelly Belly's attempt to break into the $3.2 billion market of energy products. What do these Sport Beans have in them? I'm glad you pondered this question. I wondered the same thing, so I did some investigation. Here is what the corporation says about their new beans.
"Sport Beans by Jelly Belly, made in Lemon Lime and Orange flavors, are larger, traditional jelly beans with something extra. Each one-ounce serving contains 25 grams of carbohydrates, 20% of the daily value for Vitamins C and E, and 120mg of electrolytes to boost energy and maintain hydration. A serving has 100 calories."
(posted on Jelly Belly's website: Sport Beans)
The beans sell for 99 cents for a 1 oz. package and will be available this summer.

Will these beans live up to their companies popularity of the original beans? Will they taste like the original beans or simply a little piece of energy supplement crap? I understand why they are marketing the beans to athletes. First, to get in on the $3.2 billion market that is currently expanding. Second, these beans are their own packaging. You don't have to down an entire packet of GU or Gel or whatever you are using as a carbohydrate supplement while exercising. A word of warning: The key to any carbohydrate replacement product is to DRINK WATER!! These products are loaded with simple sugars and electrolytes that start to be broken down in your mouth by salivary amylase. If you were to "shoot" a gel while running and not drink water in a timely manner, you would cramp up and your mouth would feel like you just tried to eat glue (your stomach would cramp, not your mouth).

Physiologically speaking while exercising your blood is moving faster through your peripheral circulation, all but bypassing completely your GI tract. Skeletal muscle intrinsically requires more energy than your smooth muscle lined GI tract. Therefore, you are not actively digesting food while exercising. If you were to shoot the gel without providing a fluid to initiate distention in your stomach, your body will not divert enough blood to actively absorb the sugars and electrolytes in the gel and you will cramp. You know what I'm talking about. Everyone has shot some gel and then not gotten water in fast enough to avoid that gummy feeling in your mouth. It sucks. So, back to the beans. Make sure if you actually use this product that you suck down some water with the beans. I will grab a packet or two and try them on a long run or ride and let you know what I think.