PacificHealth Laboratories is expanding the test market of its new sports drink Accelerade Ready-To-Drink, after consumer research produced positive feedback.
The company has also announced findings of a new study showing that the drink enhances performance 36 per cent more than a conventional carbohydrate/electrolyte drink containing the same number of calories.
Accelerade contains protein as well as carbohydrate, said to both increase the amount of carbohydrate that gets into the muscle during exercise and speed up muscle recovery. The company worked with Cargill on manufacturing the new ready-to-drink version, launched earlier this year.
Until now, the product has only been marketed in Colorado Springs and the company anticipated expansion only to the Denver and Boulder areas. Accelerade Ready-To-Drink will now be available throughout the entire state of Colorado. The expansion of the test market will be supported by an aggressive TV, print, promotion, and public relations effort, said PacificHealth.
The new study, published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism "indicates that adding protein to a sports drink extends exercise endurance", said author Dr John Ivy, professor of Kinesiology at the university of Texas.
Dr Robert Portman, president and CEO of PHLI, said: "The study conducted by Dr Ivy reinforces other published studies demonstrating that a carbohydrate/protein sports drink is superior to a conventional carbohydrate drink and even a protein shake in improving endurance during exercise and speeding muscle recovery after exercise."
He added that the company has also made a significant improvement in the taste of its powdered Accelerade products.
PacificHealth Laboratories also makes weight loss and diabetes control products.