FAQS
COMMON QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about Sportbeans, please scroll down and click on a question to see the answer.
What are Sport Beans® jelly beans?
A hot new sports product created by the makers of the famous Jelly Belly® jelly beans. This unique jelly bean is specially formulated for fuelling the body before, during and after exercise. Sport Beans jelly beans offer a unique delivery system to help manage optimal intake of carbohydrates and nutrients when needed most.
What flavours are Sport Beans jelly beans made in?
Four Refreshing flavours: Lemon-Lime, Orange, Fruit Punch and Berry Blue. Under consuming carbohydrates can be an issue for endurance athletes, so a good tasting source helps intake when it’s needed. Scientific studies show that during exercise an enjoyable flavour may encourage greater consumption aiding in better fuelling.
How does it work?
Consuming carbohydrates and electrolytes during exercise lasting 60 minutes or longer prevents fatigue and boosts performance, according to many scientific studies and leading sports professionals.
What are the benefits of eating Sport Beans jelly beans?
A single pack of Sport Beans jelly beans (28g) contains 25 grams of carbohydrates to fuel your body during intense exercise, and a balanced supply of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) vital for maintaining fluid balance. In addition, Sport Beans jelly beans contain Thiamin (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), and Niacin (Vitamin B3) to help burn carbohydrates and fat, as well as Vitamin C to protect muscles and cells against oxidative damage.
Who are Sport Beans jelly beans designed for?
Sport Beans jelly beans are made for a broad range of active people including endurance athletes, weekend warriors and sports enthusiasts. In fact, Sport Beans jelly beans are appropriate for anyone engaged in prolonged exercise of 60 minutes or more.
How should Sport Beans jelly beans be used?
Both carbohydrates and fluids are vital during exercise. Sport Beans jelly beans come in an easy-to-use, single serving packet, and they taste great. The recommendations for when to use Sport Beans depends on the length and intensity of the workout. As a general guideline:
Before workout
Eat one packet about 30 minutes before exercise. Sport nutritionists also recommend consuming 1 to 2 cups of water prior to
exercise, which will help hedge loss of fluid through sweat during your workout.
During workout
Eat a small amount as needed, aiming for one packet (100 calories) every 45 minutes of activity. Remember to drink about 1/2
cup of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes.
After workout
Following a long workout or intense exercise, the muscle stores of carbohydrates are drained. Eating a high-carbohydrate food,
such as Sport Beans jelly beans, helps replenish spent stores. Also, always follow your exercise with water to replace fluid
lost through sweat.
What makes Sport Beans jelly beans different from regular jelly beans? Aren’t they just candy?
Sport Beans jelly beans are specially formulated with sports performance in mind. Sport Beans provide a source of easily digested carbohydrate for fuel, a prime consideration during intense workouts when the body needs quickly metabolized fuel source. The electrolytes sodium and potassium in Sport Beans help maintain proper fluid balance. Sport Beans also contain vitamin B and C vitamins for health.
What carbohydrate source is used in Sport Beans jelly beans and is this beneficial?
The primary carbohydrate source in this product is table sugar (sucrose) and corn syrup (a mix of the sugars glucose and fructose.) This blend is similar to what is used in sport drinks and other products designed for fuelling. “Research studies show the mix of carbohydrate sources used in Sport Beans jelly beans is well taken up by the body. And in fact, a mix of carbohydrate sources is better used by the body when compared to a single carbohydrate source, such as glucose alone, in a sports product,” according to Liz Applegate, PhD., sports nutrition author and expert who advises professional teams.
How were the levels of carbohydrate, electrolytes established for Sport Beans jelly beans?
The unique nutrient formulation of Sport Beans jelly beans is based upon established recommendations for carbohydrate and electrolyte replacement from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The ACSM guidelines recommend consuming 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrate per hour during exercise lasting 60 minutes or more. These guidelines also recommend drinking 1/2 to 3/4 cups of water every 15 to 20 minutes and to include the electrolyte sodium. Sport Beans jelly beans also provide a good source of B1, B2, B3, and C vitamins for good health.
Does the Glycemic Index (GI) of a food have any impact on athletic performance?
Yes, high GI foods or drink are preferred over low GI during exercise since the muscles use glucose (sugar) as fuel and need this quickly. Eating a food or beverage during exercise such as Sport Beans, carbohydrate gel or sport drink that all have high GI is recommended for a rapid source of muscle fuel. Additionally, after exercise as the muscles build back their reserves of glucose, eating a high GI food also makes sense. Research studies support the use of high GI foods over low GI during and after exercise as a means to boost performance.
Have Sport Beans™ jelly beans been scientifically tested as performance boosters?
Yes! In a study conducted by the University of California Davis School of Medicine Sports Program, Sports Beans™ jelly beans were proven just as effective as popular sports drinks and gels in maintaining blood sugar levels and improving exercise performance in competitive endurance athletes.
In addition, research studies confirm that the electrolytes sodium and potassium play an important role in regulating hydration, and that consuming them during exercise may assist the maintenance of proper fluid balance.
Can I eat Sport Beans jelly beans with other sports products?
Yes, you can eat Sport Beans jelly beans along with drinking sport drinks and other sport products such as carbohydrate gels or bars by managing your intake, depending on the intensity and duration of your workout.
The goal is to take in roughly 120 to 240 calories per hour of extended exercise or activity along with 1/2 cup of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes.
You can meet the goal by consuming a combination of items or one alone – check the product label for calorie counts per serving and adjust accordingly. Sport Beans jelly beans have 100 calories per packet.
Why do Sport Beans jelly beans contain sodium and potassium?
Sport Beans jelly beans offer a balanced supply of electrolytes vital for maintaining fluid balance. The 80 mg sodium /40 mg potassium split is optimal in aiding fluid balance by enhancing water absorption and water retention in cells.
Since Sport Beans contain sodium, how do they fit into the diet of a person with hypertension?
Sport beans jelly beans are a low sodium food containing less than 100 milligrams of sodium per packet. People with hypertension should consult their physician regarding recommended sodium intake and other methods of controlling high blood pressure.
Are Sport Beans jelly beans appropriate for use by children?
Sport Beans jelly beans offer the same benefits to children as they do for adults. Children lose fluids and burn carbohydrates during sports and play. The amounts of carbohydrate, electrolytes, and vitamins in Sport Beans are safe and appropriate for children to use when participating in rigorous activities.
Do Sport Beans jelly beans contain caffeine?
No. Sport Beans jelly beans are caffeine free.
Are Sport Beans jelly beans Kosher Certified?
Yes, they are certified kosher pareve. Sport Beans jelly beans are produced and distributed under Kashrut supervision of KO Kosher Service, a division of the Adas Harabonim Council of Rabbis of Philadelphia.
How do the sweeteners used in sports products, such as sport drinks, gels, and Sport Beans compare?
A variety of quickly digested carbohydrates (all with a high Glycemic Index) are used in sports products and all add to the desired level of sweetness. These carbohydrates sources also serve as a fuel source for the exercising muscle. None of these sweeteners offer a nutritional advantage over the other. Also, none of these sweeteners supply additional nutrients such as vitamins or minerals.
Here’s a brief run down of popular sweeteners in sports products:
Sucrose
Extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets and also known as table sugar. This sweetener is composed of the simple sugars
glucose and fructose connected to one another.
Corn Syrup
Also called Glucose/Fructose syrup: Made from the breakdown of corn starch which is composed of hundreds of
connected glucose units. Corn syrup is primarily glucose. Corn syrup can be modified to produce high-fructose corn syrup, which
has the identical composition – glucose and fructose – as table sugar (sucrose.)
Maltodextrin
Also made from corn starch, maltodextrin is simply small pieces of easily digestible starch, which is also called
glucose polymers. Maltodextrin is mildly sweet.
Brown Rice Syrup
This sweetener with a somewhat nutty sweet flavour is made from rice starch (hundreds of glucose units
connected in a strand) broken down into a partial mixture of smaller starch pieces, maltose (two connected glucose units) and a
bit of glucose.
Where can I purchase Sport Beans jelly beans?
They are available nationwide in sporting good stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, and health clubs.
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More Information
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