What is the maximum amount of glucose that can be absorbed during exercise?

The maximum amount of glucose that can be absorbed during exercise is approximately 1 g/min. This value is based on current research and physiological limits regarding carbohydrate absorption in the intestines during physical activity.

During exercise, the body has increased energy demands, and carbohydrates serve as a crucial energy source. However, the absorption of glucose from the intestines into the bloodstream is not unlimited. The physiological mechanisms, including the capacity of transporters in the intestinal lining (such as SGLT-1), establish a threshold for how quickly glucose can be absorbed and subsequently utilized by muscles.

While the body can process higher amounts of carbohydrate overall, the absorption rate peaks around 1 g/min for glucose alone when considering mechanical and transport limitations in the gastrointestinal tract during strenuous exercise. This is essential for athletes to understand when planning their nutritional strategies for endurance events, as consuming glucose at rates exceeding this threshold may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort without providing additional benefits for performance.