Lactate Gels: The Next Generation of Sports Gels? (Science Explained)

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aitor Viribay, co-founder of FLF (From Lab to Field), to discuss the science behind exogenous lactate—why elite cycling teams are suddenly interested in it, how it compares with carbohydrates and ketones, and whether drinking lactate could become the next major breakthrough in endurance fueling.

We discuss:

• Why lactate is no longer considered the "bad guy"

• How exogenous lactate works inside the body

• Whether lactate is actually a preferred fuel over glucose

• How it compares with ketones

• Whether it could improve endurance performance

• Possible effects on the brain, recovery and fatigue

• Why the science is still in its early stages

• What athletes should realistically expect today

If you've been hearing rumours about pro cycling teams using lactate during races, this episode explains the science directly from one of the researchers developing the technology.

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Exolactate

Learn more about Exolactate and FLF: https://flf.shop

Research website: https://exolactate.com

00:00 Why lactate may be the body's preferred fuel

01:00 Why elite athletes are suddenly interested in exogenous lactate

05:11 Is lactate where ketones were a few years ago?

08:08 How Aitor became interested in lactate research

10:17 How carbohydrates become lactate

12:14 Which organs actually use lactate?

14:12 Why lactate gets "VIP treatment" in the body

20:40 Is lactate a by-product of carbohydrate oxidation?

22:05 Where lactate fits among carbohydrates, fat and ketones

25:20 What happens after you drink exogenous lactate?

29:43 Is exogenous lactate different from natural lactate?

31:16 What's actually inside Exolactate?

38:04 Is exogenous lactate safe?

40:37 Does exogenous lactate bypass the cost of producing lactate?

42:26 Lactate, buffering and fatigue

45:40 Can lactate break through the carbohydrate ceiling?

47:25 Does lactate make carbohydrates work better?

49:51 Will lactate replace carbohydrates?

50:36 Lactate vs ketones

52:25 Training vs racing with exogenous lactate

55:07 Which athletes benefit the most?

57:38 Could lactate reduce central fatigue?

58:25 Recovery benefits

59:41 Why creating an exogenous lactate gel was so difficult

1:05:00 How much lactate do athletes actually need?

1:08:42 The biggest takeaway about exogenous lactate

1:09:33 What endurance means to Aitor