zipvit Archives

Frequent readers of Cyclo will have noticed that we�re hot on good hydration. If you also spotted our recent review of ZipVit ZV8 Energy Bars it will come as no surprise that we have turned our attention to ZV0, the same company�s sports electrolyte drink.

Initially developed to meet the demands of Cervelo Test Team riders, ZipVit�ZV0 combines seven key electrolytes to replace those lost through sweat with L- Glutamine, an amino acid whose dietary sources include everything from beef to dairy products, which some (so far quite limited) research suggests can boost the immune system and aid fatigue. These individually wrapped, effervescent, tablets dissolve on 500-750ml of plain water and low calorie (just over 12kcal per serving) and formulated as low-carbohydrate (0.28g) which may also help burn body fat more efficiently during prolonged exercise.

Whilst difficult to swear to their efficiency with regards to either fat-burning or immunity building, the ZV0s certainly deliver on the rehydration front and, crucially, taste pretty good too. Free from artificial colours and flavours, the original Watermelon option tastes refreshing (oddly more like cucumber though, we thought) and does a reasonable job of masking the slightly �salty� taste, but by far Cyclo�s favourite is the all-new Cherry flavour, one of the best tasting electrolytes we�ve tested to date.

If you�re looking for pure and unadulterated rehydration something more along the lines of Elete Water might suit, but if you want that little extra (and a great taste to boot) then ZV0 is an excellent option. �7.99 buys 20 tabs, enough to make between 10 and 15litres of drink. Further information and online sales at zipvitsport.co.uk

An energy bar packed full of goodness, but almost inedible, is useless. A tasty energy bar so dry it feels you�ve had all the moisture sucked from your body (you know the kind) is equally useless. Step forward the ZV8 Energy Bar from ZipVit � rammed to the rafters with goodness, a range of delectable flavours and almost as juicy as heading straight for a jaffa.

Taste, of course, is a matter of preference but with a range that incorporates banana, orange, chocolate, yoghurt coated peach and apricot and chocolate coated strawberry there is probably something here for everyone. The flavours are vibrant without being overpowering and despite being marketed more towards the �sciency� end of the spectrum there is something of a home-spun taste that perfectly balances sharp tang with sweeter fruits � even the chocolate coated option manages to avoid being sickly sweet. The juiciness is the really big selling point for Cyclo. So often on the bike we are left scrabbling for the water bottle to help wash down a bar that it comes as an real treat to discover a product that almost feels as if it�s actively helping, rather than hindering, the hydration strategy.

In terms of �goodness� the ZV8 is second to none. Delivering easily digested carbohydrate energy with the addition of 9 supplementary vitamins (Bs 1, 2 and 3, plus C and E amongst them). Exact levels vary slightly between varieties, but taking the uncoated orange as an example the ZV8 will deliver 244kcal, 4,7g of protein, 34.9g of carbs (21.3g sugar, 7.2g of fat of which 0.7g is saturated) per 65g bar.

Hard to fault and easy to eat, the ZV8 may well be the Cyclo taste of the summer (should the summer ever actually arrive�) Available individually, but bulk purchasing at around the �25 mark for 20 bars makes sense to us.