In sports, sugar is not an enemy, but a tool. The only question is how much, for what purpose — and what happens if you omit it altogether.
The objection first
"Isn't that just candy too?"
Numbers before opinions. A serving of Nutrons contains [insert g of sugar per serving]. For comparison: a 250ml can of a classic energy drink contains around 27g. [Check comparison value before publication]
But that doesn't answer the question yet, because it's more interesting why it's in there at all.
Why sugar is in there at all
The honest answer: not primarily because of the sweetness.
A coating is a technical product. Sugar in it acts simultaneously as an adhesion promoter, texturizer, browning accelerator, and flavor carrier — and it offsets the bitterness of caffeine. Without it, you wouldn't have a crispy coating, but powder on a nut. [Reconcile technical details with Philip and Döhler]
The second reason is physiological: readily available glucose in sports is exactly what it's made for — it replenishes glycogen stores and maintains performance. We still don't build a competition gel. For us, sugar is a means to an end, not the end itself.
What we tested and discarded
Sweeteners like Stevia. [Reconcile status with Philip] The issue is the aftertaste: what goes unnoticed in a drink stands out in a coating.
Galactose. A monosaccharide that is partly metabolized independently of insulin and lowers the glycemic index — very exciting on paper. Current arguments against its use are price, availability, and simply: little practical experience in coating. It remains on the list for a special edition.
Inulin. A dietary fiber instead of sugar, already passed on in development. The open question is the tolerance in the amount that would make a difference.
None of these decisions are forever. If we find a better solution, we will change the recipe — and write it down here.
Why not just "sugar-free"
Because "zero sugar" in practice almost always means "sweeteners instead." That wouldn't be a better product, just a better label.
We opted for the more inconvenient approach: as little as is technically sensible, and openly declared. This is harder to print on the front of a package but easier to defend.
How you can measure us
By the serving size, not per 100g. A serving of Nutrons weighs [insert serving size in g].
Why this is important: Per-100g declarations look much friendlier for a snack of which you eat thirty grams than they actually are — and much less friendly for one of which you eat a hundred. We state both. But the number that concerns you is the one per serving.
"Sugar is a tool. A tool you don't need, you leave in the box." — Cashew Commander
→ The complete list of ingredients in plain text can be found on the page "Everything that's in it".