RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Glucose-fructose Ratio Pilot

This study, called the 'Glucose-fructose Ratio Pilot', is investigating how our bodies use different types of sugar during exercise. Specifically, it's comparing how quickly your body uses up sugar when you consume a 1:1 mixture of glucose and fructose versus a 2:1 mixture. This research is important because it could help us understand how to fuel endurance exercise more effectively in the future. It’s a small, initial study to help researchers understand the best way to design a larger study later. There are no medications involved, just different sugar drinks. We're looking for adults who exercise regularly.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Bath

Enrolment target

Start

14 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2026

Exercise Metabolism

What is this study about?

This research is focused on understanding how your body uses carbohydrates, specifically sugars, during exercise. When you’re active, your body needs energy, and carbohydrates are a key source of that energy. Glucose and fructose are two common types of sugar found in many energy products.

Researchers want to see if changing the amounts of these two sugars in a drink affects how well your body uses them for fuel while you’re exercising. They’re comparing two different mixes: one with equal parts glucose and fructose (a 1:1 ratio), and another with twice as much glucose as fructose (a 2:1 ratio).

The main goal of this particular study is to be a 'pilot project'. This means it's a smaller, preliminary study designed to gather initial information. The results will help the researchers work out the best way to conduct a larger, more detailed study in the future. The findings could eventually lead to better advice or products for athletes and active people to help them fuel their workouts more effectively.

Key takeaways

It's about how your body uses sugar during exercise.
Compares two different sugar drink mixes.
Designed to help plan a future, bigger study.
Open to active adults (18+) who exercise regularly.
No medication involved, just sugar drinks.
Your participation helps improve understanding of exercise nutrition.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, we're looking for people aged 18 or older who are quite active. You should be doing endurance training, like long-distance running or cycling, for at least five hours every week. It's also important that you can exercise continuously for three hours without any problems.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to take part. For example, if you're currently taking any medication for your blood sugar, cholesterol, or to help with weight loss, you wouldn't be eligible. Also, if you have certain health conditions like heart disease, kidney issues, liver problems, or type 2 diabetes, this study isn't suitable for you.

Finally, if your doctor has told you not to exercise, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you won't be able to join. We welcome both men and women who meet the other criteria.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you do at least 5 hours of endurance training each week?
Can you exercise continuously for three hours?
Are you NOT taking medication for blood sugar, cholesterol, or weight loss?
Do you NOT have heart disease, kidney issues, liver problems, or type 2 diabetes?
Are you NOT pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed involvement in this study isn't fully described, as it's a pilot. However, based on the information, it is likely to involve at least one or more visits to a research facility. You would be asked to perform continuous exercise for three hours, during which you would consume drinks containing different ratios of glucose and fructose. There are no medications to take, as the intervention involves only sugar drinks. The study aims to measure how your body uses these sugars. The total duration of your participation would depend on the number of sessions and follow-up activities, which are not specified in this brief summary.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct medical benefits from taking part in this specific pilot study, but your participation will be very valuable in helping researchers understand more about how our bodies use energy during exercise. This could lead to better-informed guidelines or products for athletes in the future. As for risks, exercising for three hours might be tiring, and consuming glucose and fructose drinks could cause mild stomach upset in some individuals. However, the study is designed with your safety in mind. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Bath
Verified postcode
Bath, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of exercise will I do?

You'll be asked to do three hours of continuous endurance exercise. The specific type of exercise (e.g., cycling, running) isn't detailed, but it will be something you're used to.

What are glucose and fructose?

Glucose and fructose are both simple sugars that your body uses for energy. They are commonly found in foods and energy drinks.

Will I be given medication?

No, this study does not involve any medication. You will be given drinks containing different mixtures of glucose and fructose.

Why is this study being done?

It's a pilot study to help researchers understand how to design a larger, more detailed study about how our bodies use sugar for energy during exercise. This could eventually help athletes.

Who can't take part?

You can't take part if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, on certain medications for blood sugar or weight, or have conditions like heart disease or diabetes.

How to find out more

Javier Gonzalez

j.t.gonzalez@bath.ac.uk +441225385518 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.