What They Are, Who They’re For, and How They Compare to Candy and Gels
Sports gummies are chewable fuel designed for training and performance. They use specific carbohydrate blends to support energy during workouts instead of just providing sweetness.
This is the idea behind Underdogs Energy Gummies: simple, portionable fuel built for endurance and strength athletes.
What are Sports Gummies?
- In plain terms
- Sports gummies (also called energy chews) are chewable carbohydrate-based fuel made for physical activity.
- How they work
- They provide glucose and fructose, which muscles use as a primary fuel source during moderate to high-intensity exercise (Thomas et al., 2016 ↗).
They are commonly used and benefit:
- Running
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Rowing
- Triathlon
- Weightlifting and high-intensity training
![[float-left] [float-small] pile of gummy candy](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0782/8815/8977/files/gummy-candy-pile.png?v=1769223938)
Are Sports Gummies Just Candy?
- Candy
- Designed mainly for taste and enjoyment, with no specific goal for performance or digestion during exercise.
- Sports gummies
- Designed to deliver usable energy while you are moving, often with added electrolytes or caffeine.
Most sports gummies use glucose (or dextrose) and fructose instead of relying only on sucrose. Combining these carbohydrates improves absorption and oxidation compared to glucose alone (Jeukendrup, 2010 ↗).
Why Carbohydrate Ratios Matter
Using multiple transportable carbohydrates such as glucose + fructose, like what's in Underdogs Energy Gummies allows the body to absorb more fuel per hour and reduces gut overload (Burke et al., 2011 ↗; GSSI, 2013 ↗).
This matters most during:
- Long runs and rides
- Races
- High-volume training days
- Back-to-back workouts
Effects on Endurance
Carbohydrate intake during endurance exercise helps maintain blood glucose levels and delays fatigue (Thomas et al., 2016 ↗).
For endurance athletes, this matters because sports gummies can support:
- Sustained energy output
- Reduced perceived fatigue
- More consistent pacing over long efforts
Effects on Strength Training
While carbohydrate needs are lower for short efforts, longer lifting sessions and high-volume training still rely on muscle glycogen. Supplemental carbohydrates can help maintain training quality (Thomas et al., 2016 ↗).
For lifters, this can mean:
- Better focus between sets
- More consistent output
- Less energy drop-off late in sessions
![[float-left] sticky gel packs vs clean sports energy gummies](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0782/8815/8977/files/gels-vs-gummies2x.png?v=1769319686)
Sports Gummies vs Gels
- Energy gels
- Highly concentrated, fast to absorb, but can cause stomach discomfort for some athletes (Pfeiffer et al., 2009 ↗).
- Sports gummies
- Slower to consume, easier to portion, and often feel gentler on digestion.
Some athletes find it beneficial to use a mix of both depending on training length and intensity.
Why Underdogs Energy Gummies
Underdogs Energy Gummies are designed around the same carbohydrate principles used in endurance nutrition research.
This approach means:
- Usable energy without excess sweetness
- Support during long training sessions
- Works for both endurance and strength athletes
Key Takeaway
Sports gummies are not just candy. They're functional carbohydrate-based fuel designed to support physical performance. Compared to candy, they use intentional carbohydrate blends. Compared to gels, they are easier to portion, can cause less digestive concerns, and feel more like food. That means for many athletes, sports gummies like Underdogs Energy Gummies offer a practical middle ground between liquid fuel and solid food.