Table 1 Studies included within meta-analysis and systematic review

Rowe et al. 2021 [31]*

11 M (well-trained)

120 min treadmill running at 68%\({\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2} \max\)

5 km time trial

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose

Performance, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites

Sig faster time trial and higher CHO oxidation

No difference in plasma glucose concentration, lactate or NEFAs

Pettersson et al. 2020 [27]

12 (sex not reported, endurance-trained)

180 min cycling at 55% Wmax

None

1.6 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

(1) 1.6 g min⁻¹

Vitargo Pure® + Vitargo electrolyte® (starch + electrolytes) + amylopectin

(2) 1.6 g min⁻¹

Isostar Endurance Plus® (Maltodextrin + sucrose)

Oral health, ExCHO oxidation, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites

Sig higher ExCHO oxidation with experimental beverage

Sig lower blood glucose concentration 40 min after cessation of CHO feeding with experimental beverage

Attenuated decline in teeth pH

McCubbin et al. 2020 [24]*

9 M (recreational and elite)

180 min cycling at 60%\({\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2} \max\)

Time to exhaustion

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose

Performance, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites

No sig differences

Flood et al. 2020 [29]*

7 M, 7 F (recreational)

90 min cycling at 45% \({\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2} \max\) in 32 °C and 70% relative humidity

Work completed in 15 min

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose

Performance, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites, intestinal integrity

No sig difference in performance, substrate oxidation, performance or intestinal integrity

Greater gut discomfort with experimental beverage

Myrick et al. 2019 [32]

1 (sex and training status not reported)

Treadmill running at 12 min mile⁻¹ until exhaustion

Time to exhaustion

Microgel dispersion + 39 g glucose

Commercial sports drink containing 39 dextrose

AUC blood glucose absorption kinetics

Higher AUC glucose absorption kinetics with microgel dispersion

Mears et al. 2019 [25]*

8 M (well-trained)

120 min cycling at 55% WMax

Time to complete set work

1.1 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

1.1 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose

Performance, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites

No sig difference in performance

Sig higher RPE and stomach fullness with experimental beverage

Barber et al. 2019 [28]*

9 M (trained)

120 min treadmill running at 60%\({\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2} \max\)

None

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

1.5 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose

ExCHO oxidation, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites

No sig differences

Pettersson et al. 2019 [33]

12 (6 M, 6 F, trained)

120 min treadmill skiing 69% \({\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2} \max\) in − 5 °C

2400 m (males) or 2000 m (females) time trial

2.2 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

Non-caloric placebo (sweetened water)

Performance, ExCHO oxidation, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites

Sig higher ExCHO, total CHO oxidation and sig lower fat oxidation with experimental beverage. No sig diff in performance

Baur et al. 2019 [26]*

9 M (trained)

98 min varied intensity cycling

10 maximal sprints

1.3 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

1.3 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose

Performance, substrate ox, blood metabolites

No sig differences

Sutehall et al. [30]*

8 M (well-trained)

105 min treadmill running 70%\({\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2} \max\)

None

1.2 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose + SA + P

(1) 1.2 g min⁻¹ maltodextrin + fructose

(2) Water

ExGluc oxidation, substrate oxidation, blood metabolites

No sig differences