What are the ingredients in Hammer Gel?
Key Takeaways
Hammer Gel contains simple carbohydrates (maltodextrin and fructose), electrolytes, water, and natural flavors.
The main carb sources are maltodextrin (complex carbohydrate) and fructose (simple sugar). These provide quick, easily digestible energy.
Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium replace minerals lost in sweat during exercise.
Hammer Gel uses non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugars or artificial sweeteners or colors.
Caffeinated varieties add caffeine from natural tea sources to provide an extra energy boost.
The thin, smooth consistency comes from the purified water base and makes it easy to consume while exercising.
Ingredient List
Here is the complete ingredient list for Hammer Gel as provided on the product label:
Maltodextrin - Complex carbohydrate derived from corn that provides sustained energy release
Fructose - Simple fruit sugar that is quickly digested and absorbed
Purified Water - Provides a thin, smooth consistency and aids hydration
Electrolytes (sodium citrate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium citrate) - Replace minerals lost through sweat
Natural Flavors - Derived from plant sources, vary by flavor
Caffeine (green tea extract) - Added to caffeinated varieties for an extra kick (approx. 25 mg per pouch)
Stevia - Natural non-caloric sweetener from the Stevia leaf
Potassium sorbate - Used as a preservative to prevent mold and bacterial growth
Macronutrient Breakdown
Here is the macronutrient breakdown per serving (1 pouch) of Hammer Gel:
Total Carbohydrates: 25g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
The 25g of carbs come primarily from maltodextrin and fructose. There is no added sugar. The 10g of sugars come solely from the fructose component.
There is no significant protein or fat in Hammer Gel. It is purely a fast-acting, easy-to-digest source of carbohydrates.
Key Ingredients and Functions
Maltodextrin
Complex carbohydrate derived from corn
Provides sustained release of energy over time
Does not cause spikes or crashes in blood sugar
Efficiently replenishes muscle glycogen stores
Absorbed at a moderate rate to avoid GI issues
Fructose
Simple fruit sugar that digests very quickly
Provides an immediate source of energy
Rapid absorption avoids stomach upset
Sweetness improves palatability and flavor
Used in combination with maltodextrin for sustained energy
Purified Water
Provides fluid to aid hydration during exercise
It creates light, smooth consistency for easy consumption
Allows gel to be rapidly absorbed by the body
Electrolytes
Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium
Replace essential minerals lost in sweat
Necessary for muscle contractions and nerve function
Help maintain fluid balance and prevent cramps
Included in amounts optimized for exercise needs
Natural Flavors
Derived from plant sources like fruits and spices
Provide palatable taste tailored to each flavor
Vary ingredients based on the flavor profile
Contain no artificial colors, sweeteners, or preservatives
Caffeine (select varieties)
Sourced naturally from green tea extract
Provides alertness and extra energy boost
Can enhance physical and mental performance
Added in moderate amounts (~25mg per pouch)
Quality Ingredients
Hammer Gel contains high-quality ingredients:
Non-GMO - All ingredients used are non-genetically modified
Gluten-free - Contains no gluten sources
No added sugar - Does not contain table sugar or high fructose corn syrup
No artificial sweeteners - Uses stevia leaf extract, not artificial sweeteners
No artificial colors - Uses natural flavors and no artificial coloring
Natural caffeine (select varieties) - Caffeine derived from green tea, not synthetic
This makes Hammer Gel suitable for various dietary needs and preferences.
Serving Size
The recommended serving size for Hammer Gel is one pouch containing:
1.2 oz (35g) of gel
25g of carbohydrates
80-100 calories, depending on the flavor
This serving size provides an optimal amount of easily digestible carbs in a reasonable volume.
Most athletes consume 1-2 pouches per hour during extended endurance activities.
The amount can be adjusted based on effort intensity and individual needs.
Consistency and Texture
Hammer Gel has a smooth, thin liquid consistency. This makes it:
Easy to squeeze and swallow during exercise
Fast to digest and absorb
Less likely to cause stomach issues compared to thicker gels
Palatable even when the mouth is dry
The purified water base provides a thin texture. There are no thickeners or gelling agents used.
The smooth, even consistency comes from:
Homogenization - Process to break down particles
Micro-milling - Reduces all ingredients to tiny particle sizes
Emulsification - Evenly distributes particles throughout the liquid
This creates an easy-flowing gel.
Flavoring
Hammer Gel uses only natural flavorings derived from:
Fruits - Strawberry, raspberry, lemon, orange, apple, banana, etc.
Spices and herbs - Cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, mint etc.
No artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives are used.
The flavor intensity is moderate. Flavors are designed to:
Provide taste variety over long exercise durations
Avoid being overly sweet or strong
Refresh and energize without overwhelming the palate
This makes the flavors pleasant even when consuming multiple pouches.
Caffeinated Options
Select Hammer Gel flavors contain a moderate amount of caffeine for an extra kick:
25mg caffeine per pouch
Added from natural green tea extract
Provides alertness and energy boost
Caffeinated flavors:
Espresso
Mocha
Tropical
All other flavors are non-caffeinated
The small caffeine dose provides benefits without being overstimulating. It is well-tolerated by most athletes.
Benefits During Exercise
Consuming Hammer Gel during exercise provides several benefits:
Rapid energy - Quickly delivers easily digestible carbohydrate calories to working muscles
Sustained energy release - Provides fuel that lasts through extended efforts
Electrolyte replenishment - Replaces essential minerals lost in sweat
Hydration - The water content aids hydration
Reduced muscle fatigue - Helps delay the onset of fatigue during endurance activities
Enhanced physical and mental performance - Allows maintaining higher intensity pacing for longer duration
Hammer Gel is designed to be an ideal nutrition source for endurance sports and activities lasting over 60 minutes when quick carbohydrate fueling is beneficial.
Storage and Handling
Hammer Gel has a 2-year shelf life when stored properly:
Store pouches at room temperature
Avoid storage in excessive heat (over 90 ̊F)
Keep pouches sealed until use
After opening, reseal the pouch tightly or consume the entire contents
Do not freeze or refrigerate
Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight
Proper storage preserves the quality and prevents the growth of bacteria.
Once opened, pouches should be fully consumed or resealed tightly to avoid drying out
Hammer Energy Gel - Easy Energy During Exercise
FAQs
Q: Does Hammer Gel contain any added or refined sugars?
A: No, Hammer Gel does not contain any added sugars, refined sugars, or high fructose corn syrup. The only sugars come from the fructose component.
Q: What sweeteners does Hammer Gel use?
A: Hammer Gel is sweetened with stevia leaf extract and contains no artificial sweeteners.
Q: Are the electrolytes in Hammer Gel enough to replace sweat losses?
A: The electrolytes in Hammer Gel can help offset electrolyte losses, but for very heavy sweating, additional electrolyte supplementation may be beneficial.
Q: Can Diabetics consume Hammer gel?
A: Hammer Gel is generally suitable for people with diabetes, but they should consult their physician before use, especially if taking medication that can cause low blood sugar.
Q: Does Hammer Gel need to be refrigerated after opening?
A: No. Hammer Gel can be stored at room temperature after opening. Refrigeration is not necessary, but the pouch should be resealed tightly.
Q: Where is Hammer Gel manufactured?
A: Hammer Gel is manufactured in the United States at facilities in Utah and California.
Conclusion
Hammer Gel provides an easily digestible source of carbohydrates with electrolytes to fuel endurance exercise and activity. Its simple ingredients include maltodextrin, fructose, water, natural flavors, electrolytes, and green tea extract for caffeine in some varieties. It uses high-quality, non-GMO ingredients containing no added or artificial sugars. The thin, smooth consistency makes Hammer Gel easy to consume for rapid energy delivery.