ELEMENT 11

The Sodium-Glucose Linked Transporter 1 (SGLT1) is the primary “gatekeeper” for carbohydrate absorption in the small intestine. This pathway is responsible for transporting the glucose derived from Maltodextrin into the bloodstream. Critically, this is an active transport mechanism that requires Sodium to function; the transporter binds both a glucose molecule and sodium ions simultaneously to pull fuel across the intestinal wall. By including 700mg of Sodium in the formula, you are essentially supercharging this pump, ensuring that the glucose is absorbed as rapidly as possible to provide immediate fuel for high-intensity efforts.

To push past the standard absorption ceiling of 60-70g of carbs per hour, ELEMENT 11 ENDURANCE FUEL utilises the GLUT5 transporter. Unlike SGLT1, which transports only glucose, GLUT5 is a dedicated channel for Fructose. Because these two doors operate independently of one another, adding Fructose allows the body to process a higher total volume of energy simultaneously without causing a traffic jam in the gut. This dual-pathway approach is what enables athletes to reach a flux of up to 90g per hour, providing a significant performance advantage during the latter stages of a race when glycogen stores are depleted.

While the first two pathways focus on speed, the Sustained Flux component—driven by Palatinose (Isomaltulose)—focuses on endurance stability. Palatinose is a functional carbohydrate that is fully digested but at a much slower rate than Maltodextrin or Sucrose. It is broken down further along the small intestine, providing a slow, trickle-feed release of glucose and fructose. This results in a much lower glycaemic response, which prevents the sharp insulin spikes and subsequent energy crashes often associated with high-sugar sports drinks. This ensures a constant, reliable energy flux that supports fat oxidation and keeps you fuelled through the 11th hour.