Cytomax Energy Drink

My husband swears by it when he's on his long training rides.  I've tried it, but can't get past the artificial berry taste.  However, I'm not a fan of artificial berry-flavored anything (gu, powerbar, low quality ice cream, etc.).  YMMV.

I sometimes use it on longer bike rides in the summer. I have the fruit punch flavor or something (it's pink, that's all I know) and I like it fine. I do find it a little too sweet, so I dilute it a bit. Never tried it on the run, as I don't like all that liquid sloshing around in my stomach. An ex-boyfriend of mine, who is a roadie, swears by it.

Chris,

Just wanted to hit on (2) things in your post:

FPO/AP Shipping: We ship MANY packages to APO addresses via USPS Priority & it is not very expensive at all. If there's something you'd like shipped, just shoot me an e-mail off-line & I'd be happy to get you what you need w/o killing you on the shipping (just need to be a little creative w/ it) - [email protected]

Cytomax: I too have been a very long-time user of Cytomax as it sits very well in my gut regardless of how much & at what concentration. With that, you definitely DO NOT want to confuse it w/ Gatorade Endurance as they are very different. One isn't necessarily better than another, just different. For example, just comparing the CHO content/breakdown per ~100cal:

Cytomax: 22g CHO (12g sugar)
Gatorade Endurance (GE): 28g CHO (28g sugar)

There is also a dramatic differences in the electrolyte content, w/ GE having MUCH more (sodium content is 120mg in Cytomax vs 400mg in GE).

Generally speaking, Cytomax is preferred by those who:

Prefer a sweeter taste & possibly a flavor w/ no artificial colors/sweeteners (Cytomax has 2 'all-natural' flavors)

Have fairly low electrolyte requirements/sweat rates.

As noted above, there are dramatic difference in the sodium content of Cytomax & GE & below is the sodium content of a few of the more popular FRD (Fluid Replacement Drinks) per 100cal:

Cytomax: 120mg
Gatorade Endurance: 400mg
EFS: 270mg
Accelerade: 190mg
HEED: 40mg

I hope that helps, but please let me know if you have any other specific questions.

Here is a product review I did a while back. The biggest issue I have is that it is a very very dense product, (probably because of the buffers) while being very low on the calories and electrolyte. The osmolality is almost 500 (the highest of any product we tested), and typically you want it fewer than 300 for a correct sports drink.

CytoMax®

Pros:

Includes both sodium and potassium as electrolytes
Multiple carbohydrate sources
Maltodextrine is primary energy source

Cons:

Very low amount of electrolytes
Very low amount of calories
Incomplete electrolyte profile, no magnesium or potassium
Osmolality of 482
No option for protein
Taste, over extended periods and when warm


Notes: Cytomax’s claim to fame is their unique lactic acid buffer ingredient Alpha-L-Polylactate™ that is supposed to lower the levels of lactic acid and increase VO2Max. CytoSport has been in the market for a long time and has enjoyed success. The claims about Alpha-L-Polylactate™ are intriguing.

Cytomax does not include any option for protein and has a very small amount of electrolyte and calories for most endurance athletes. Athletes might have to supplement with salt tablets if they choose to use this product. A 150-pound athlete typically needs to take 300 calories per hour for extended exercise. That means that you would have to drink almost 50 ounces per hour to get your hourly caloric needs!

While Cytomax is an interesting product, it would be difficult to use for events lasting much longer that 2 hours. The high osmolality could also lead to stomach issues unless diluted.

EDIT: Chris, we don't upcharge for an APO, just the cost to get to the distribution point. I send to military guys all the time thru USPS all over the world. Apreciate what you guys do. Thanks.



Edited by infinIT 1 2009-03-30 2:54 PM

i also found cytomax very hard to put down.  i bought some when it was really marked down at gnc...it was the grape flavor and it made me not want to drink it at all while riding, though maybe that's why it was so highly discounted.

I've been using it and like it. (I've tried others and I think accelerade was the worst tasting mess I've ever had. As someone else said, tasted like bile! Well, he was right!)

I like the orange flavor Cytomax the best, but also liked the lemon citrus.
I use it when on the road bike, and in my camelbak on the mtb.

Refrigerate unused portion (like when mixed up too much in the camelbak), and it'll be good for a few days.
I've also mixed it with a protein powder to add some carbs to a pure potein drink.

It's like anything else though, personal taste and preference. Try some out and see if it works for you.

I know this is an old discussion but I was researching what happened to Cytosport and the Cytomax drink. It is in a few places on the web. Hormel had bought the brand and then sold it combined with Evolve and Muscle Milk to Pepsi in 2019. It looks like since Pepsi markets Gatorade they have chosen to no longer make the Cytomax drink. This is a huge mistake as many friends in the cycling community used it regularly despite the flavor. It had the best lactic acid inhibiting quality of any sport drink out there. I can recall ads in Bicycling magazine showing about 40 pro running and cycling athletes that swore by it. Hopefully Pepsi will bring it back.