A biophysicist develops a gel so his ultra-runner daughter can eat without getting a stomachache. The first energy gel.
GU Energy Labs is an American sports nutrition brand based in Berkeley, California, founded by biophysicist Bill Vaughan. It claims to have created the first energy gel in 1993 and is known for its Energy Gels and Roctane range for ultra-distance events.
| Origin | United States (Berkeley, California) |
|---|---|
| Founder | Bill Vaughan, biophysicist |
| First gel | 1993, according to the brand |
| Ultra range | Roctane Ultra Endurance, launched in 2008 |
| Manufacturing | Gels manufactured at the Berkeley headquarters |
Bill Vaughan wanted to help his daughter Laura, an ultra-trail runner, fuel herself during increasingly long races without digestive issues. He created a gel in the family kitchen in Berkeley. A historian’s note: gels existed in the United Kingdom as early as 1986, but GU is considered the first major distributor of energy gels, with a presence at the Ironman World Championship from 1996.
Launched in 2008, the Roctane Ultra Endurance range is designed for long, intense efforts. Compared with the original gel, it provides more amino acids and electrolytes.
Boxes of 24 gels and Energy and Roctane sampler packs are a great place to start. For other waffles, see Näak.
Sources: GU Energy Labs, About, Wikipedia, GU Energy Labs.
GU claims the first energy gel, created by Bill Vaughan in the early 1990s. Gels already existed in the UK in 1986, but GU is considered the first major gel distributor.
Roctane, launched in 2008, is the range for long, intense efforts: it contains more amino acids and electrolytes than the original gel.
At Nutri-Bay, all products with “Caffeine” in their name, such as Espresso Love, Cola Me Happy, Salted Butter Caramel, or Roctane Chocolate Fleur de Sel. The dosage is listed on each product page.
A 30 g energy waffle inspired by the Dutch specialty, to eat during exercise as an alternative to gels.
In Berkeley, California, at the headquarters of this family-owned company.
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