What's the difference between Perpetuem and Perpetuem Solids?
Perpetuem Solids are based on the same Classic Perpetuem formula made with corn maltodextrin, just in chewable tablet form. 3 tablets provide about 100 kcal, 10 kcal more than 1 scoop of Perpetuem powder.
They can be your only fuel source, but most athletes use them as a supplement: something to chew on during long efforts instead of sweets or harder-to-digest solid food, which can slow digestion and cause stomach distress.
How many tablets should I eat per hour?
We recommend 3 tablets per hour: 1 tablet every 20 minutes. That's about 100 kcal per hour.
If you're also using other Hammer fuels (for example Perpetuem, Sustained Energy or Hammer Gel), adjust your total hourly intake accordingly.
Can I dissolve the tablets in water?
No – Perpetuem Solids are designed as chewable tablets and don't dissolve well in water. If you'd rather have a drink, choose Perpetuem powder.
If you have dentures or sensitive teeth, take care when eating the tablets.
Do they replace electrolytes?
Not fully. They contain 100 mg of sodium per serving and small amounts of other minerals, which isn't enough for full replacement. During longer efforts, take your electrolytes separately, for example with Endurolytes capsules – adjust the dose to the weather, the intensity and how much you sweat.
Do Perpetuem Solids contain caffeine?
Only the Caffe Latte flavour: it contains 30 mg of caffeine from coffee powder per serving (3 tablets). The Chocolate, Orange and Strawberry flavours are caffeine-free.
Why does Hammer use maltodextrin instead of sugar?
Here are the benefits of maltodextrin, along with information about its effect on insulin during and after exercise.
The benefits of maltodextrin
- You can digest more calories from maltodextrin than from short-chain, so-called simple sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose). As one nutritional scientist puts it, maltodextrin lets you take in more energy in less volume. Simple sugars can only be digested efficiently in weak, low-calorie solutions, so you can't get enough energy from them. But if you make a “double-strength” mix, the overly concentrated sugar solution sits in your stomach for a long time and can cause serious stomach distress. You won't have that issue with maltodextrin.
- Maltodextrin provides fast-acting energy because it's a high-glycaemic carbohydrate – its glycaemic index is the same as glucose. At the same time, because it is made up of many weakly bonded sugar units, it provides more consistent, longer-lasting energy than glucose or other simple sugars, without the “peak and crash” typical of simple sugars.
Because of the high glycaemic index, many people ask about insulin. Maltodextrin does raise blood sugar quickly and triggers an insulin response. Immediately before and during exercise, however, this is not an issue. As Dr. Bill Misner explains, during exercise the hormones of the sympathetic nervous system inhibit insulin release, and exercise itself increases the muscles' uptake of the glucose you take in. So insulin is not a significant factor during exercise.
After exercise, when your body needs to restock its energy stores, a high glycaemic index is also an advantage. That's exactly the purpose of Recoverite and Vegan Recoverite.
These are the three times – immediately before exercise, during exercise and shortly afterwards – when it makes sense to consume a high-glycaemic carbohydrate such as maltodextrin.
Is the sodium phosphate in Perpetuem Solids safe?
Yes. Sodium phosphate (trisodium phosphate) is classified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), among other things as an emulsifier, a nutrient and a dietary supplement ingredient. Perpetuem Solids, Perpetuem and Race Day Boost contain it in relatively small amounts.
For comparison: its acute toxicity (LD50) in rats is 7,400 mg/kg body weight, which for a 75 kg person would work out at about 555 g – a more favourable value than that of table salt (3,000 mg/kg) or baking soda (4,220 mg/kg).
Are Perpetuem Solids vegan and gluten-free?
Yes, Perpetuem Solids are vegan and gluten-free, and the soy protein is non-GMO. They contain soy and are made in a facility that also processes milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish and sesame.
Where does the iron in Perpetuem Solids come from?
The 0.6 mg of iron per serving (3 tablets) comes naturally from the soy protein and soy lecithin. No iron is added.
Can they handle the heat?
Yes, Perpetuem Solids are stable in any climate, so they hold up well in summer races and on long hikes. At home, store them in a cool, dry place, and reseal the container carefully after opening.
