SiS Beta Fuel + Nootropics Review
A review of what is probably the best energy gel in the world: SiS Beta Fuel + Nootropics
As of 2025 it isn't sold in Japan,
and almost nobody here may have tried it, but it could be useful to someone,
so I'd like to introduce it.
What is BETA FUEL Energy+ Nootropics?
BETA FUEL Energy+ Nootropics (a product from Science in Sport, SiS) is a high-carbohydrate energy gel designed to support both body and mind in endurance sport.
Features and effects
1. High-carb dual source (40 g per gel)
It contains 40 g of carbohydrate from maltodextrin (fast-acting) and fructose (sustained) in a 1:0.8 ratio. This ratio maximises absorption and reduces stress on the gut.
2. Mental support (nootropic ingredients)
It contains the following:
250 mg Cognizin® (citicoline): faster information processing
200 mg caffeine: better alertness and reaction time
200 mg L-theanine: softens caffeine "jitters"
1 g L-taurine: helps endurance
3. Physical and mental support at the same time
It fuels the body (carbohydrate) and is also designed to maintain mental performance
for the late stages when fatigue and loss of focus set in.
4. Recommended once a day
Because of the high caffeine content, no more than one per day is recommended.
This is a precaution against taking too much.
5. Easy to take, and reassuring
It is isotonic, so it absorbs easily without water.
It is Informed Sport certified, a trusted product with a low risk of banned substances for competitive athletes.
When to use it
In the later stages of endurance sports lasting more than two hours (running, trail running, cycling, triathlon),
it works well when you want to avoid losing your mental edge.
The key is to use it strategically to keep your head working at crucial moments and in the final push of a race.
For normal training, or if you need several gels, it's recommended to combine it with the regular Beta Fuel Energy Gel.
My review and impressions
I first heard about this gel
when Chris Froome made his historic long-range attack to win stage 19 of the 2018 Giro d'Italia,
and I learned he had used a prototype of this product.
I watched that race live and it was truly shocking; it's burned into my memory.
Froome and TEAM SKY had prepared their race nutrition meticulously,
and apparently they needed a high-performance gel like this.
What surprised me when I used it was that I felt much less fatigue and less pain in my legs and lower back,
and even after riding about 100 km I could hold numbers higher than my FTP.
Frankly, among my friends we call this the "doping gel",
and I think it really brings out your true potential.
However, because it contains a lot of caffeine, on days you take it
you should go easy on coffee and other caffeinated drinks (otherwise you may get a headache).
Key specs
| Item | Details |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Carbohydrate | 40 g (maltodextrin : fructose = 1:0.8) |
| Caffeine | 200 mg |
| Citicoline (Cognizin®) | 250 mg |
| L-theanine | 200 mg |
| L-taurine | 1 g |
| Limit | one per day |
| Features | isotonic, Informed Sport, gentle on the gut |
Below I've looked into citicoline in more detail,
which I hope you'll find useful.
Citicoline (also known as CDP-choline) is a compound that supports the health and function of the brain and nervous system,
acting as a building block for phospholipids and neurotransmitters in the brain.
The Cognizin® in BETA FUEL Energy+ Nootropics is a high-purity branded form of citicoline.
1. Basics
Full name: cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline)
Origin: a natural substance the body synthesises from choline and cytidine
Forms: taken orally as a supplement or medicine, and also given by injection
Uses
Medical (recovery after stroke, memory problems, head injury)
Sport and daily life (keeping focus, reducing mental fatigue)
2. What it does in the body
1. A building block for phospholipids
It is used to make phosphatidylcholine, a major component of brain cell membranes, and is important for repairing and maintaining nerve cells.
2. Boosts acetylcholine production
It is a building block of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning and concentration.
3. Improves brain energy metabolism
It contributes to ATP (energy) production in the brain, helping maintain nerve activity even when fatigued.
3. Expected benefits in sport and endurance events
Focus: may help maintain decision speed and attention late in long efforts
Mental fatigue: may reduce the "brain fatigue" (central fatigue) caused by long, hard exercise
Reaction speed: may help when instant decisions are needed, such as tactics and line choice
*However, its effect on sports performance
is not clearly immediate the way caffeine's is;
it is better seen as medium- to long-term support for brain function.
4. Scientific evidence
Medical: several clinical trials suggest it helps recovery after cerebrovascular disease and injury.
Healthy people and sport
Some studies report improvements in attention and working memory
The effect is most noticeable during long mental work or when fatigue has built up
However, direct evidence of improved exercise performance is limited
5. Safety and dosage
Typical dose: 250–500 mg per day (BETA FUEL Nootropics contains 250 mg)
Safety: very few side effects reported in healthy adults; occasionally headache, indigestion or insomnia
Long-term use: considered safe over months to years, and not habit-forming like caffeine
6. Summary
Citicoline:
helps repair brain membranes and make neurotransmitters
may support focus and reaction speed when fatigued
leans towards sustained support rather than an instant effect
Combined with caffeine and L-theanine, as in BETA FUEL Energy+ Nootropics,
it gives a balance of short-term alertness and longer-term support for brain recovery.
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