Herbalife24 Prolong Energy Gel: The Real Science Behind It

By Dogus Dilan, Herbalife Independent Wellness Coach  ·  Last updated 12 August 2026

Prolong delivers 30g of carbohydrate per sachet at a 1:0.8 glucose-to-fructose ratio — a specific formulation choice backed by real sports science, not an arbitrary number. Your body’s stored carbohydrate typically depletes after 60-90 minutes of intense exercise, and using two absorption pathways (glucose and fructose) rather than one lets you take in more carbohydrate without the gut discomfort that a glucose-only gel can cause at high intake rates.

Why a 1:0.8 Ratio, Specifically

Herbalife commissioned an expert Q&A with Dr Stephen Mears, a Senior Lecturer in Sports and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University, on exactly this question. His explanation: glucose and fructose are absorbed into the bloodstream via different intestinal pathways, so combining them lets your body take in more total carbohydrate than relying on glucose (from maltodextrin) alone — using both routes rather than queuing at a single till, as he put it. Older sports drinks and gels commonly used a 2:1 (1:0.5) glucose-to-fructose ratio; more recent research found 1:0.8 is better tolerated at higher intake rates without causing digestive upset.

This isn’t a Herbalife-specific claim — it reflects a body of independent sports nutrition research on carbohydrate co-ingestion, including work by researchers like O’Brien and Rowlands specifically on fructose-maltodextrin ratios and exercise performance.

When You Actually Need It

Per the same expert guidance, your body’s carbohydrate stores are typically sufficient for sessions under an hour — a gel isn’t generally necessary for shorter workouts, except after a long overnight fast, where a small amount before a short morning session can help. For continuous intense exercise beyond 60-90 minutes (running, cycling, team sports), that’s when stored carbohydrate genuinely starts to run low and an external source becomes useful for maintaining performance.

General sports nutrition guidance suggests 30g of carbohydrate per hour for exercise lasting 1-1.5 hours, and up to 60g per hour for 1.5-2.5 hours — which maps directly onto Prolong’s dosing (1 sachet per hour for under 1.5 hours, 2 sachets per hour for 1.5-2 hours).

Nutritional Information

How to Use It

Ingredients

Maltodextrin, water, fructose, acidity regulator (citric acid), natural flavouring, preservatives (potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate), sodium chloride, Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), Thiamin (thiamin hydrochloride).

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

Sources & References

• Dr Stephen Mears, Senior Lecturer in Sports & Exercise Nutrition, Loughborough University — expert Q&A commissioned by Herbalife on carbohydrate-containing energy gels.
• Jeukendrup, A. (2014). “A step towards personalized sports nutrition: carbohydrate intake during exercise.” Sports Medicine, 44(Suppl 1), S25-S33.
• O’Brien, W.J. & Rowlands, D.S. (2011). “Fructose-maltodextrin ratio in a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution differentially affects exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rate, gut comfort, and performance.” American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 300(1), G181-G189.
• American College of Sports Medicine (2016). “Nutrition and Athletic Performance” Joint Position Stand. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(3), 543-568.
• Herbalife Nutrition — official UK product label and nutritional information.

This is a food supplement. Use within a balanced and varied diet, as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Maintain adequate fluid intake. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before use.