Key Takeaway
Ketone ester drinks increased blood ketones and improved cycling performance by 2% in trained athletes, representing a significant ergogenic effect.
Summary
Landmark study examining the effects of ketone ester supplementation on endurance exercise performance in elite athletes.
Methods
- Randomized crossover design
- 39 high-performance cyclists
- Ketone ester drink vs carbohydrate/fat control
- 30-minute cycling time trial
Key Results
- Blood ketones elevated to ~3-5 mM
- 2% improvement in distance covered (411m)
- Altered substrate utilization
- Glycogen sparing observed
- No GI issues at tested dose
Limitations
- Short duration performance test
- Elite athlete population
- Single dose tested
- Expensive supplement