06 / rinse and sniff
Feel the trots are imminent but still 30 miles of your ride to conquer? Concerned you’ll run out of energy but can’t stomach another sickly-sweet gel? No worries – just swill and spit. In a study led by sports nutrition expert, Dr James Carter, cyclists were asked to undertake a water-only 40km time-trial. After a rest, they repeated the test but this time they rinsed their mouth with a maltodextrin solution for five seconds without swallowing. Remarkably, the cyclists were, on average, one minute faster with the carbohydrate solution.
Numerous studies have since corroborated Carter’s results as well as seeing further gains with carb and caffeine swilling. Why is yet to be fully explained but there’s a convincing argument that the carbohydrate in the mouth rinse connects with receptors in the mouth that signals to the brain that food is imminent. This raises mood, leading to a reduction in perception of effort, making the task easier and so the rider can go faster.
Belgian researcher Kevin De Pauw reveals that sniffing a glucose spray could also provide a boost when your ride begins to chafe. De Pauw showed that the nasal spray activates an area of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex that, as you’ll discover, is related to how hard or easy you find a ride.
Not convinced that a glucose spray is for you? What about De Pauw’s most recent study that showed work output increases in the office when cycling at 30 per cent max while typing? Time to ask HR about hooking up your desk to rollers…
“sniffing a glucose spray could also provide a boost when your ride begins to chafe”