Home Ingredients EnergySMART® (Low-Glycemic Carbohydrate Complex — Anderson)
Energy

EnergySMART® (Low-Glycemic Carbohydrate Complex — Anderson)

Evidence Level
Limited
0 Clinical Trials
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

EnergySMART® is a carbohydrate complex from Anderson Advanced Ingredients, made from a proprietary ratio of starches, concentrated fruit juices, and grain dextrin. It is used as a lower-glycemic carbohydrate source in sports bars, gels, and drinks in place of refined sugar. No published human trial of EnergySMART itself is cited on this page; the two references below studied low-glycemic-index carbohydrate meals in general, not this branded complex.

Studied Dose Not established. No clinical trial has tested EnergySMART itself, so there is no studied dose; the amount depends on the food or drink it is used in.
Active Compound Proprietary complex of starches, concentrated fruit juices, and grain dextrin (low-glycemic carbohydrate).

Benefits

Sustained energy

EnergySMART itself has not been tested in a published human trial. The evidence cited is about low-glycemic carbohydrate meals in general: a 2017 meta-analysis of 15 studies found endurance performance favoured a low-glycemic-index pre-exercise meal over a high-GI one (effect size d=0.42), but the authors reported that all included studies were of low research quality and concluded that only weak evidence supports the claim, calling for further high-quality research.

Lower-glycemic sweetness

It adds sweetness and carbohydrate energy to bars, gels, and drinks. A gentler blood sugar rise is the intended design of a low-glycemic carbohydrate blend, but no published study has measured the blood sugar response to EnergySMART itself.

Refined-sugar replacement

Food makers use it in place of refined sugar in bars, gels, and drinks. That is a formulation choice rather than a proven health benefit, and it still counts as carbohydrate and calories in your diet.

Mechanism of action

1

Slow carbohydrate release

Complex carbohydrates are generally digested more gradually than simple sugars, which can give a lower, steadier blood sugar rise. This is the proposed mechanism; the digestion rate and glycemic response of EnergySMART itself have not been published in a peer-reviewed trial.

2

Functional carbohydrate

Its mix of starches and dextrin supplies usable carbohydrate energy, and it also holds moisture and affects texture, which is why manufacturers use it in bars and gels.

Clinical trials

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated as a food carbohydrate.
Large amounts can cause gas or digestive upset in sensitive people.
People with diabetes should still count it as a carbohydrate.

Important Drug interactions

Generally compatible with medications.
Counts as dietary carbohydrate; factor into diabetes meal planning.
Tell your doctor if you manage blood sugar with medication.

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Frequently asked questions about EnergySMART® (Low-Glycemic Carbohydrate Complex — Anderson)

What is EnergySMART?

EnergySMART® is a carbohydrate complex from Anderson Advanced Ingredients, made from a proprietary ratio of starches, concentrated fruit juices, and grain dextrin. It is used as a lower-glycemic carbohydrate source in sports bars, gels, and drinks in place of refined sugar.

What is EnergySMART used for?

EnergySMART is researched primarily for Energy. EnergySMART itself has not been tested in a published human trial. The evidence cited is about low-glycemic carbohydrate meals in general: a 2017 meta-analysis of 15 studies found endurance performance favoured a low-glycemic-index pre-exer…

What is the recommended dosage of EnergySMART?

The clinically studied dose is Not established. No clinical trial has tested EnergySMART itself, so there is no studied dose; the amount depends on the food or drink it is used in. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is EnergySMART safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, EnergySMART is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated as a food carbohydrate. Large amounts can cause gas or digestive upset in sensitive people. It may also interact with some medications. EnergySMART is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does EnergySMART interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Generally compatible with medications. Counts as dietary carbohydrate; factor into diabetes meal planning. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for EnergySMART?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for EnergySMART as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Wong SH, Sun FH, Chen YJ, Li C, Zhang YJ, Huang WY Effect of pre-exercise carbohydrate diets with high vs low glycemic index on exercise performance: a meta-analysis Nutrition Reviews. 2017;75(5):327-338. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nux003.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 15 human studies comparing low- versus high-glycemic-index pre-exercise meals. Endurance performance favoured the low-GI meal (effect size d=0.42), but the authors state that all included studies were of low research quality and that only weak evidence supports the claim, concluding that further high-quality research is warranted. This meta-analysis did not test EnergySMART.
  2. Moore LJ, Midgley AW, Thurlow S, Thomas G, Mc Naughton LR Effect of the glycaemic index of a pre-exercise meal on metabolism and cycling time trial performance Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2010;13(1):182-8. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.11.006.PubMedUsed to support: A single randomized human study of how the glycemic index of a pre-exercise meal affects metabolism and cycling time trial performance. It tested ordinary meals of differing glycemic index, not EnergySMART, and it says nothing about sweetness or about metabolic health outside exercise.