Sukkie Sports Drink

Great stuff CT. There is huge value in bringing this to people!!  And a great story about entrepreneurialsm and how making products for yourself is a great way to get a business started!

Sounds good to me. Teeth are like knees – if you don’t look after them your older self will invent time travel to come back to slap you.

Sounds good to me. Teeth are like knees – if you don’t look after them your older self will invent time travel to come back to slap you.

I want to know why it’s called “Sukkie”?  Seems like an odd name (unless I’m reading it wrong).

Anyway, interesting read.  And good to know to watch the sports drinks.

Question… is there any way to look at a particular sports drink and know if it will be too acidic?

I agree with Tim.  I like stories of people developing their own products based on need.  If only the “new inventors” wasn’t axed.

Wade, the linky at the end isn’t working.  It has tacked on the end of your site address.

Thanks – I just fixed the link.

Good post CT. I do notice heaps of cyclists have pretty manky teeth. Sports drinks, gels, bars etc etc can’t be good for the old choppers

Right.  Order completed, Performance Fuel note added.  I’m all set, thanks CT. 

*tosses powerade into nearest bin*  

lucky he didn’t call one of his flavours “Berry Crush” as that would belong to a bad saddle choice or an ill bike fitting/set up.

Glad to hear that he has improved the formula and taste. We tried it at a Whittlesea Challenge ride a few years back when it was free as was just launching I think and it was truly terrible and I swore I would never buy it.
But now I will give it one more try.

My girlfriend is a Dental Nurse and studies Podiatry and has to study diabetes, I am forever getting lectures about how the high doses of sugar are bad for my system and my teeth, so will definitly give this a try for sure.

My girlfriend is a Dental Nurse and studies Podiatry and has to study diabetes, I am forever getting lectures about how the high doses of sugar are bad for my system and my teeth, so will definitly give this a try for sure.

My girlfriend is a Dental Nurse and studies Podiatry and has to study diabetes, I am forever getting lectures about how the high doses of sugar are bad for my system and my teeth, so will definitly give this a try for sure.

I sampled it at the Whittlsea Challenge as well and did not like the taste. I later found out the water supply was the reason. When I tried it at a track day promo I found the taste much better. I’m glad I gave it a second chance and have used the Berry flavour ever since!

I sampled it at the Whittlsea Challenge as well and did not like the taste. I later found out the water supply was the reason. When I tried it at a track day promo I found the taste much better. I’m glad I gave it a second chance and have used the Berry flavour ever since!

I had a similar story with my dentist last year, same issue with softening of the enamal which we also put down to sports drink while cycling. He said that it’s like a double-whammy in that as you are dehydrating (sweating) while exercising the acid & sugar is more easily able to eat away at the enamel. His suggestion was one bottle of sports drink with the other bottle only with water & alternate while riding.

Thanks for the article CT and also to Sukkie for the promo-offer, it’s enough for me to give it a try. :)

Hi Chromatic! Thanks for your comments.

I have to agree with you – the name Sukkie pronounced ‘Suck-ie’ sounded ‘odd’ to me too when we first came up with it – I think that’s what we liked about it! We went through literally hundreds of names – this one was most memorable, and linked strongly with how it is used. (Suck it up!). I wanted the name to be as different as the actual drink is compared to others out there – hopefully every time you see the name – you remember the message about performance and health.

There is one way to look at the nutritional information panel – the ingredients should be listed legally in the proportion they are present in the product as consumed. The closer to the top Food Acid is the likely higher in acid the drink is (lower pH).

Hope this answers your question?

Hi Chromatic! Thanks for your comments.

I have to agree with you – the name Sukkie pronounced ‘Suck-ie’ sounded ‘odd’ to me too when we first came up with it – I think that’s what we liked about it! We went through literally hundreds of names – this one was most memorable, and linked strongly with how it is used. (Suck it up!). I wanted the name to be as different as the actual drink is compared to others out there – hopefully every time you see the name – you remember the message about performance and health.

There is one way to look at the nutritional information panel – the ingredients should be listed legally in the proportion they are present in the product as consumed. The closer to the top Food Acid is the likely higher in acid the drink is (lower pH).

Hope this answers your question?

After many years  of either using Endro, and now using S.I.S sports drinks and gels on a regular basis. I thought it may be doing my teeth harm. I finally went to the dentist, after 2 years since my last check up. I told her that I use sports gels and drinks, and if it did them any harm. after the check she told me that the sports drinks were not doing my teeth and they were in good shape. Glade to hear that S.I.S Drinks and gel were not harming my teeth, and will continue to use them, and promote them. 

After many years  of either using Endro, and now using S.I.S sports drinks and gels on a regular basis. I thought it may be doing my teeth harm. I finally went to the dentist, after 2 years since my last check up. I told her that I use sports gels and drinks, and if it did them any harm. after the check she told me that the sports drinks were not doing my teeth and they were in good shape. Glade to hear that S.I.S Drinks and gel were not harming my teeth, and will continue to use them, and promote them. 

Recent trip to dentist identified an acidity problem. Dentist knowing I was a racing cyclist blamed it on Sports Drinks. However I haven’t been using them. Dentist urged me to use a Tooth Mousse which contains calcium phosphate & fluoride to neutralise acidity.
That concurrs with “  Acid in drinks dissolves the calcium rich protective enamel on the
surface of your teeth, in a process called dental erosion which is made
worse with brushing, grinding or clenching teeth.”
I’m yet to identify acid source (maybe it’s nothing more than a dry mouth from cycling) but if I neglect to use mousse at night I notice a more salty mouth on waking.

Recent trip to dentist identified an acidity problem. Dentist knowing I was a racing cyclist blamed it on Sports Drinks. However I haven’t been using them. Dentist urged me to use a Tooth Mousse which contains calcium phosphate & fluoride to neutralise acidity.
That concurrs with “  Acid in drinks dissolves the calcium rich protective enamel on the
surface of your teeth, in a process called dental erosion which is made
worse with brushing, grinding or clenching teeth.”
I’m yet to identify acid source (maybe it’s nothing more than a dry mouth from cycling) but if I neglect to use mousse at night I notice a more salty mouth on waking.

Recent trip to dentist identified an acidity problem. Dentist knowing I was a racing cyclist blamed it on Sports Drinks. However I haven’t been using them. Dentist urged me to use a Tooth Mousse which contains calcium phosphate & fluoride to neutralise acidity.
That concurrs with “  Acid in drinks dissolves the calcium rich protective enamel on the
surface of your teeth, in a process called dental erosion which is made
worse with brushing, grinding or clenching teeth.”
I’m yet to identify acid source (maybe it’s nothing more than a dry mouth from cycling) but if I neglect to use mousse at night I notice a more salty mouth on waking.

Thanks for that.

Kind of answered my question (about the degree of acidity)… guess it is hard to work out, but it may be a guide.

Re the name.  After I thought about it for awhile, I figured that the naming was probably something along those lines.

Good luck and thanks for the reply.

This is just the product missing from the market – i was todl similar horror stories from my dentist.

Can you confirm though, this product has no citric acid?

This is just the product missing from the market – i was todl similar horror stories from my dentist.

Can you confirm though, this product has no citric acid?

This is just the product missing from the market – i was todl similar horror stories from my dentist.

Can you confirm though, this product has no citric acid?

Hi Guest

I was really disappointed with what happened at the Whittlesea Challenge – we set up at a range of remote locations and used the water supplied by the event organisers. The taste of the water was not good, and basically made a lot of people think it was our drink! We didnt find out until afterwards – and had no way of explaining ourselves to riders after the event.

Thanks for giving us another go! I would appreciate an email directly to me at [email protected] to let me know what you think.

Leon

Hi Guest

I was really disappointed with what happened at the Whittlesea Challenge – we set up at a range of remote locations and used the water supplied by the event organisers. The taste of the water was not good, and basically made a lot of people think it was our drink! We didnt find out until afterwards – and had no way of explaining ourselves to riders after the event.

Thanks for giving us another go! I would appreciate an email directly to me at [email protected] to let me know what you think.

Leon

Hi Guest

I was really disappointed with what happened at the Whittlesea Challenge – we set up at a range of remote locations and used the water supplied by the event organisers. The taste of the water was not good, and basically made a lot of people think it was our drink! We didnt find out until afterwards – and had no way of explaining ourselves to riders after the event.

Thanks for giving us another go! I would appreciate an email directly to me at [email protected] to let me know what you think.

Leon

Hi Guest

I was really disappointed with what happened at the Whittlesea Challenge – we set up at a range of remote locations and used the water supplied by the event organisers. The taste of the water was not good, and basically made a lot of people think it was our drink! We didnt find out until afterwards – and had no way of explaining ourselves to riders after the event.

Thanks for giving us another go! I would appreciate an email directly to me at [email protected] to let me know what you think.

Leon

You are all wasting your time with sports drinks full stop.
The best energy drink you want to have on a ride is Dateorade! Blend dates and water. You will kill it.
And about all your acidity problems… Stop eating animals and anything that comes out of an animal.
Do yourselves a favour and Google “Durianrider”

You are all wasting your time with sports drinks full stop.
The best energy drink you want to have on a ride is Dateorade! Blend dates and water. You will kill it.
And about all your acidity problems… Stop eating animals and anything that comes out of an animal.
Do yourselves a favour and Google “Durianrider”

great stuff, anyone know of any UK based equivalent drinks companies?

Another suggestion for liquid fuel – soak your dried fruits over night before consuming i.e. raisins etc. (to remove the preservative sulphur dioxide – preservative 220). Strain the water a number of times to remove the preservative and add to water bottle. The natural sugars from the dried fruits are an ideal source of fuel for long rides. Chia seeds are another alternative, that can be placed in water during training. Used by the Aztec’s for their endurance properties.

Another suggestion for liquid fuel – soak your dried fruits over night before consuming i.e. raisins etc. (to remove the preservative sulphur dioxide – preservative 220). Strain the water a number of times to remove the preservative and add to water bottle. The natural sugars from the dried fruits are an ideal source of fuel for long rides. Chia seeds are another alternative, that can be placed in water during training. Used by the Aztec’s for their endurance properties.

I went to the dentist recently and found out I needed a couple of fillings. I’m a keen road cyclist and I used 1 bottle of gatorade and 1 of water in the past. I’ll definetly give this product a go – might save the $350 and a world of discomfort getting teeth drilled.

I have a problem with dental erosion – and it scares the shite out of me! I want my teeth until my old age!
it’s really good to hear that there is now a sports drink that addresses both hydration needs and the acidity impact on teeth.   

Like some earlier comments, neither I or my son liked the taste when we first tried it.  It is important to get the mix right and also make sure the powder is properly dissolved – we use a splash of hot water.  I do prefer the Berry to the Lemon but like to mix it up.  We won’t drink anything else now – especially my 12yo son.  It’s definitely made his mother happier knowing he’s drinking Sukkie not the other sports drinks.  Well done Leon and keep up your support of Junior cycling… that’s our future.

The Pelican -  Thanks for your great comments.  My brief story missed this pretty critical piece of information!  Acid is also used to speed up the time it takes for the powder to dissolve in water. We use about 100 times less acid so the downside is – it takes a little longer to dissolve.  I might steal your great tip for our product material – a splash of hot water in the bottom, mix, then icy cold water.

It is nice to know you have noticed us around the junior cycling circuit.  We will continue our support of junior athletes – education and development the sport at this level is critical (and lots of fun too!)

Hi Steve – Thanks for your positive comments – that is correct no citric acid.

Hi Chromatic

You could use a home test kit – like a pool pH tester.  Unfortunately the most reliable way will be to have it tested at a lab.  Only because you seem to be interested…you will need to consider bottled water (pH5) and tap water (pH7.3) variations in pH as well as the variation in pH from ready mixed drinks to powdered as the difference can be significant between same brand same flavour powdered to ready mixed, the mix concentration is also to be considered.  Mixing a drink to be more concentrated can lower the pH (make more acidic).

I understand there is some push to require beverages to declare pH and titratable acidity on the packaging of drinks – this could help consumers make more informed decisions about what to buy at the supermarket.

Hi Chromatic

You could use a home test kit – like a pool pH tester.  Unfortunately the most reliable way will be to have it tested at a lab.  Only because you seem to be interested…you will need to consider bottled water (pH5) and tap water (pH7.3) variations in pH as well as the variation in pH from ready mixed drinks to powdered as the difference can be significant between same brand same flavour powdered to ready mixed, the mix concentration is also to be considered.  Mixing a drink to be more concentrated can lower the pH (make more acidic).

I understand there is some push to require beverages to declare pH and titratable acidity on the packaging of drinks – this could help consumers make more informed decisions about what to buy at the supermarket.

I came across this same issue and did a bit of research by contacting many popular sport drink makers.  In the process I learned quite a bit, including some stuff about electrolyte balances I didn’t originally seek out.  I wrote about it in a blog at the time (I no longer blog so this doesn’t count as “pimping my blog”).  The information may be useful to some so here’s the link - http://tri4success.blogspot.com/2011/08/triathletes-teeth-acidity-in-sport.html

I came across this same issue and did a bit of research by contacting many popular sport drink makers.  In the process I learned quite a bit, including some stuff about electrolyte balances I didn’t originally seek out.  I wrote about it in a blog at the time (I no longer blog so this doesn’t count as “pimping my blog”).  The information may be useful to some so here’s the link - http://tri4success.blogspot.com/2011/08/triathletes-teeth-acidity-in-sport.html

As an older cyclist I have been interested in the connection (if it exists) between osteoporosis and cycling. The typical attitude is that cycling is non load bearing and hence the combination of sweating and low impact activity depletes bone density. If sports drinks are high in acid do they affect calcium loss in bones as well as teeth?
Interesting a quick search does show a link between loss of calcium in bones and high acid diets.

Could you maybe elaborate on how the formula has alleviated your upset stomach problems? I’ve used a couple of sports drinks now, namely Accelerade and CytoMax for almost a year now and found that both upset my stomach pretty badly – I used to get these weird stomach issues (not exactly cramps but kind of similar) at about the 30 mile mark on rides – until I cut the dose of CytoMax in half. It pretty much solved the problem, but I’m still wondering, is it the acid that upsets some people’s stomachs? I never really thought about it before, probably because I never paid attention to the acid levels in the formulas themselves, but now it seems to make sense, especially considering that today’s sports drink formulas contain so much carb and protein that they’re almost like a substitute for actual food, leading you (or at least me) to take them on an empty stomach a lot of the times during rides…

For those interested, Choice magazine tested the pH of a range of foods and drinks (not just sports products) and published the results as high acid/high sugar, high acid/low sugar, low acid/high sugar, low acid/low sugar. There’s also a good explanation on there about the process of dental erosion, and the role of food acids (and sugar).

http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/food-and-health/beauty-and-personal-care/dental-care/dental-decay/page/our%20test%20results.aspx

It’s important to remember that whilst sports drinks, gels, lollies, etc. contain food acids and therefore increase your risk of dental erosion during exercise, you should also consider what you’re eating and drinking when you’re NOT on the bike. Both will contribute to the condition of your teeth.

At this stage there aren’t any studies over several months that show that changing your sports drink and/or other products will result in less dental erosion, but I think Sukkie is certainly on the right track. It’d be interesting to see if Leon (or anyone else) is able to come up with gels and lollies that are also less acidic than the current products, whilst still providing the carbohydrate that clearly improves performance.

Dateorade?! You’d be shitting through the eye of a needle. C’mon vegandan….have a nice juicy steak…you know you want to

CeraSport is the best sports drink hands down. There’s even different versions for long/slow exercise and short/fast exercise, as what you sweat changes depending on the intensity and duration. It’s rice based so it’s easy on the stomach, tastes great, and it actually works – it was developed off the back of a medically-backed research project to prevent death in third world countries due to dehydration.

Oh and I forgot to mention, the taste is more neutral to the palette because the sugar is practically non-existent, so I would assume it’s also a good choice for tooth enamel.

Oh and I forgot to mention, the taste is more neutral to the palette because the sugar is practically non-existent, so I would assume it’s also a good choice for tooth enamel.

I ordered some yesterday, can’t wait to try it out in training prior to some long road and mtb events coming up.

I ordered some yesterday, can’t wait to try it out in training prior to some long road and mtb events coming up.

I ordered some yesterday, can’t wait to try it out in training prior to some long road and mtb events coming up.

I ordered some yesterday, can’t wait to try it out in training prior to some long road and mtb events coming up.

Is that why PROs like Cav and Andy are having well publicized dental issues?

Tea and coffee are pretty acidic too…

thanks for the heads up vegandan, 
durianrider is hilarious if not informative

I think you’re a little confused there JC – dates wouldn’t cause constipation, but potentially quite the opposite problem..

I think you’re a little confused there JC – dates wouldn’t cause constipation, but potentially quite the opposite problem..

That bloody steak is what’s slowing you down JC. Seriously do some research. Watch Durianrider’s videos. I was saying the same thing as you years ago. I laughed at vegans hard. But now Im laughing at everyone who is struggling to perform when all they have to do is cut out the animal products.

I just get some organic grape juice and dilute it with water to make my own sports drink. Or blended dates work great. More nutrition, more flavour and way cheaper.

Good to see a sports drink maker with a better product but you wont beat organic fruit juice/blended fruit for nutrition and flavour. :)

Took up the two for one offer on Wednesday and got home last night to find that it had already arrived – can’t complain with that!

First impressions were that the taste was not immediately as pleasing as my usual drink, but nothing to complain about (and much better than what it was when I first tasted it on a previous occasion a while back). I’m on my way out the door to give it a proper test now.

Thanks guys for the offer.

Alan  – Thanks for the post – you highlighted one of the keys to all of
this – knowledge about dental erosion (and health in general) will help
us make good dietary decisions on and off the bike. 

Knowledge is really critical because there are manufacturers who are
aware of the health impacts of their products and willfully neglect
their responsibility to you as a consumer.  Unfortunately the
responsibility for your health as a consumer is yours.

We are continuing our R&D for sure – it is core to Sukkie!  The
opportunities are there to go beyond the endless shelves of
‘performance’ products.  Performance cannot be exchanged for the thing
it relies exclusively on -
whole of athlete health.

Great stuff Leon and CT.

Love the fact that it sounds as though you have solved a problem for a lot of riders, and possible averted a problem for many others including the junior burgers.

I’m sure Sukkie will continue to prosper now that you’ve got it to this level and that consumers have a new awareness.

Bravo PaT

Thanks for the comments MTBSKillsCoach!  I agree the ‘Junior burgers’ are well in the sights. 

Keep up the great work.

Hmmm.  Received my Sukkie yesterday (very fast shipping!).  Really not a fan of the flavour.  I think to will help to protect my teeth because I will be drinking a lot less.

I thought the same thing too at first but I acquired a taste for it. Once I got over the “softness” of the taste I now find that I really like it. Its not for everyone though

Thanks for the feedback Wade.  I’ll stick with it (I have 2 tubs to get through!) and see how I go.  I’ll send Leon some feedback once I’ve given it a fair go.

Thanks for the feedback Wade.  I’ll stick with it (I have 2 tubs to get through!) and see how I go.  I’ll send Leon some feedback once I’ve given it a fair go.

Just a FYI; when I heard ‘Suck-ie’ sports drink I thought it was meant to be a bit of a piss take on the others in the market… i.e they all ‘suck’. “Can I just grab a suck-ie” seems like it can easily catch on. Well done.

Just a FYI; when I heard ‘Suck-ie’ sports drink I thought it was meant to be a bit of a piss take on the others in the market… i.e they all ‘suck’. “Can I just grab a suck-ie” seems like it can easily catch on. Well done.

Aussie Bazza -  I had the same response when I first tried the test batch, I made about half kilo and started to include it in my rides.  Strangely, just like Wade, I started to like the softness.  I ran out of my first batch and while I was blending more, tried another sports drink – I couldn’t drink it because it tasted too sweet – from then on I was hooked on the softer flavour of Sukkie.

I hope you find the same as I have done, even if you don’t, I would appreciate your time to let me know how you go [email protected]

Aussie Bazza -  I had the same response when I first tried the test batch, I made about half kilo and started to include it in my rides.  Strangely, just like Wade, I started to like the softness.  I ran out of my first batch and while I was blending more, tried another sports drink – I couldn’t drink it because it tasted too sweet – from then on I was hooked on the softer flavour of Sukkie.

I hope you find the same as I have done, even if you don’t, I would appreciate your time to let me know how you go [email protected]

His girl isn’t too bad though

I won a pot of Sukkie Berry Crush at a crit, I have since bought some, so it gets my vote

Notso swift – You’re a legend – thanks for the comment. Berry is great – (but I reckon I’m a Lemon Crush man!)

So what artificial sweetener is used in this product?

I haven’t tried this as yet (and won’t), however, my wife emailed Sukkie a while back to ask about samples due to issue that have arisen with other brands and we wanted to test it before we order some.

The reply from Sukkie was rude and borderline offensive, so since then I have told people about this and the serious bad manners we experienced from sukkie.

Client advocacy is a big player in todays marketplace and you have lost me.

I’m surprised to hear this Ian. Leon from Sukkie has been a genuinely nice guy to me and everyone else I’ve seen him deal with. If I didn’t truly believe this I would have never let him use this platform to promote Sukkie.