The effect of galactose supplementation on endurance cycling performance
Abstract
Objectives This study tested the hypothesis that supplementation with galactose before and during endurance exercise would spare carbohydrate (CHO), optimize fat utilization and improve performance compared with a typical sports drink formulation.Subjects Nine well-trained cyclists undertook three trials, each consisting of 120 min at 65 VO(2max) followed immediately by a set work, self-paced time trial (TT). Three treatments, allocated as a randomized balanced design, consisted of the following: (a) 8% (w/w) solution of galactose (Gal); (b) 8% solution of 50% galactose/50% glucose (Gluc/Gal); and (c) 8% solution of 80% glucose/20% fructose (Gluc/Fru). These were consumed as 0.67 g CHO per kg body wt 45-min pre-exercise; 1.0 g CHO per kg body wt per h for the first 120 min of exercise; 0.33 g CHO per kg body wt during the TT. Blood samples were collected before and during exercise; respiratory gas samples were collected only during fixed workload exercise.Results Mean TT power output was significantly less in Gal compared with Gluc/Gal (P=0.030). Blood glucose and insulin concentrations were lower, and free fatty acids higher in Gal compared with Gluc/Gal and Gluc/Fru. Respiratory exchange ratio was not significantly different between trials.Conclusions Ingestion of an 8% galactose-only solution (12.5 ml per kg body wt per h) is detrimental to endurance performance compared with equivalent volumes of iso-osmotic solutions containing 50% galactose/50% glucose or 80% glucose/20% fructose. This may reflect the inability of the liver to convert galactose into glucose at a rate required to support strenuous exercise intensity.
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Consumption of lactose and galactose confers no additional benefits to time trial performance.
“consumption of lactose and galactose confers no additional benefits to time trial performance [125,126]”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [125]
In the case of galactose, consumption may even be detrimental compared with other monosaccharides.
“and in the case of galactose, may even be detrimental (compared with other monosaccharides) [125].”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [125]
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- Authors
- Stannard, S. R., Hawke, E. J., & Schnell, N.
- Affiliations
- Massey University (NZ)
- Fonterra (New Zealand) (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Stannard, S R
- ORCID
- Stannard, S R
- Venue
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Published
- 2007-10-10
- Volume
- 63
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 209-214
- ISSN
- 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5640
- OpenAlex
- W2072609378
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3
- FWCI
- 0.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Massey University
- Fonterra Co-Operative Group
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- galactose supplementation, endurance cycling performance, carbohydrate oxidation, fat utilization, blood glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, respiratory exchange ratio, endurance exercise
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Beverages, Bicycling, Blood Glucose, Dietary Carbohydrates, Double-Blind Method, Exercise Test, Fatty Acids, Nonesterified, Fructose, Galactose, Glucose, Hexoses, Humans, Insulin, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Endurance, Exercise, Lactic Acid, Athletic Performance
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