Zero caffeine, maximum energy? Matok V’Kal launches stamina-boosting oral spray

26 Feb 2019 --- Matok V’Kal Ltd. has launched a new six-calorie solution which aims to boost stamina during high-endurance workouts and sports activities. Revving up the sports nutrition space, the Israel-based food manufacturer has created an on-the-go sports offering, with its launch of Fit4style Energy Spray. The mint-flavored spray gives an extra energy hit to consumers with an active lifestyle and fitness enthusiasts engaged in high-endurance sports.

According to Matok V’Kal, Fit4style energy spray can help maintain stamina for up to 75 minutes, without caffeine and with only six calories. Research shows that it can improve sports performance by up to 12 percent, Noam Kaplan, CEO of Matok V’Kal tells NutritionInsight. 

Each unit of Fit4style Energy Spray delivers 1.3g of carbohydrates and mint extract that coats the mouth. Further studies have indicated that the presence in the mouth of certain carbohydrate compounds can help mimic ingestion of caloric energy, fooling the body into generating a short burst of extra energy. 

“Fit4style Energy Spray offers a new solution for short-duration, high-endurance workouts and sports activities,” says Kaplan.

Kaplan notes that the spray is “not burdensome on the digestive system.”

“It is very user friendly and convenient to carry during any sports activity and is designed for use during intense workouts,” he comments. “Energy drinks are not actually targeted for athletes and for enhancing sport activity but rather for giving a general energy boost for all types of consumers in their daily activities.”

The oral energy spray comes in a convenient-to-carry reusable package in either blue or red. It can be clipped to any item of clothing for easy access during running or any other sports-related activity, according to the company.

Fit4style Energy Spray can be used more than one time during any sport activity, in contrast to chewing gum, Kaplan states. “Most gums do not contain carbs or sugars and additionally, many of the ingredients in chewing gum are swallowed and vanish after only a few minutes. You can use chewing gum once and then you have the inconvenience of throwing it away,” he continues. “It is also hard to run and chew at the same time,” he adds. 

“The innovation is backed by a growing body of research and recommendations by global sports groups that found that, in a workout of up to 75 minutes, there is no need to consume carbohydrates; it is sufficient to have their presence in the mouth. By tricking the mind into believing it is being nourished – relying on the sensation of food energy without actually providing it – the information is converted into actual energy.”

According to Kaplan, there is the option of introducing the product with new flavors, such as fruit-based or or sour flavors. “However, the addition of mint serves a dual purpose of boosting sports performance as well as giving a refreshing flavor,” he says.

The company intends to launch an additional product for the sports nutrition market in March-April 2019.

The carbohydrate mouth rinse effect
According to Science magazine, the human tongue could have a sixth sense. Researchers have found that in addition to recognizing the five taste types, tongues also detect the presence of carbohydrates, the body and brain’s primary source of energy. Several animal studies have also shown that some mammals can distinguish between sugars of different energy densities.

A similar ability has been proposed in humans, with research showing that simply rinsing the mouth with certain carbohydrates can improve physical performance by activating areas of the brain that control movement. How this works is still unclear, but the effect has been designated the “carbohydrate mouth-rinse effect.” This may explain the age-old and somewhat odd-looking practice among sports professionals who are often seen taking a swig of liquid and swishing it around the mouth before spitting it out. Fit4style gives the same effect without the need to spit out the solution. 

The new product contains peppermint extract, which not only contributes a refreshing flavor but contributes to the energy increase. This is based on a double-blind clinical study showing that oral ingestion of peppermint oil incurs immediate effects on physiological parameters and exercise performance after five minutes, with incremental improvement after one hour.

Caffeine is largely consumed because of its stimulating effect, providing energy and focus over a determined period, however, it is rapidly absorbed and consequently causes energy levels to spike quickly, which are then typically followed by an energy crash. 

Last week, NutritionInsight reported that despite perceived benefits, caffeine also has its drawbacks and this has allowed a number of alternative energy-boosting ingredients to come forward. Industry experts weighed in to find out more on caffeine alternatives that are seeing a boom in popularity.