ULTRA™ Gel · Chocolate (Caffeine)

The rich flavor is crafted using premium, responsibly sourced cocoa powder, ensuring ethical trade and farming practices that respect the environment. The caffeine is 100% naturally derived from green coffee bean extract, delivering a clean 65mg of plant-based caffeine per bar—roughly equivalent to a single shot of espresso. By using natural green coffee extract instead of synthetic caffeine anhydrous (which is common in standard energy products), we provide a steady, smooth stimulation without the harsh chemicals or sudden jitters.

Physiologically, natural caffeine acts as a powerful ergogenic aid during multi-hour pursuits:

Reduces Perceived Exertion (RPE): It binds to adenosine receptors in the brain, effectively tricking your nervous system into feeling less fatigued, making hard paces and steep climbs feel physically easier.

Helps enhances Mental Focus & Alertness: It is incredibly beneficial during nighttime racing, early morning starts, or late-stage mileage when cognitive fatigue sets in.

Optimizes Energy Pathways: Caffeine stimulates lipolysis (the breakdown of fats for fuel), allowing your body to oxidize fats more efficiently and spare precious glycogen reserves for the final push.

During ultra-endurance efforts, your body relies heavily on lipid (fat) oxidation for fuel alongside glycogen. The functional fats in the näak ULTRA™ Gel (such as olive oil or medium-chain triglycerides) serve a dual purpose: they provide a highly concentrated, long-lasting source of clean calories, and they slow down gastric absorption. This deliberate slowing down flattens your blood sugar curve, completely preventing the sharp insulin spikes and subsequent energy crashes associated with pure, simple-sugar gels.

In long-distance, multi-hour events, your body's biggest bottleneck is caloric deficit, not just glycogen depletion. Relying strictly on simple carbohydrates can cause serious stomach distress (gastric sloshing) and palate fatigue. By focusing on delivering a dense 200 calories of complete nutrition per pouch via an expert macro-balance of carbs, protein, and fat, we satisfy true systemic hunger, protect lean muscle tissue from breaking down, and keep your energy completely stable over hours of physical stress.

Most of our näak ULTRA™ Gels are entirely caffeine-free, allowing you to consume them continuously throughout long, multi-hour efforts without risking heart-rate spikes or sleep disruption during multi-day races. However, we do offer specific caffeine-infused variations within the gel line. These specific gels are designed to increase alertness and reduce perceived exertion when you need a mental and physical boost during the late, demanding stages of a race. Please check the product packaging to choose your preferred energy profile.

The näak ULTRA™ Gel features a rich, syrupy, and quite thick texture. Because it is crafted with real ingredients—including 37% natural maple syrup, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil—it feels more like a wholesome, concentrated food than a synthetic chemical gel. It is highly soluble in the digestive tract, but due to its satisfyingly thick and syrupy consistency, we recommend washing it down with a few sips of water to facilitate quick ingestion while moving.

Our gel features a scientifically backed, dual-source carbohydrate matrix designed to maximize gut absorption and prevent GI distress. It combines fast-absorbing and slow-release carbohydrates—specifically utilizing a 1:1 ratio of short to complex carbohydrates (like maple syrup and maltodextrin) and an optimized 3:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio. This precise ratio allows your body to oxidize carbohydrates at a higher rate per hour without overloading your digestive system's transport pathways.

The näak ULTRA™ Gel is the most sustainable energy gel on the market, incorporating 37% upcycled maple syrup in its formula. By utilizing upcycled ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, along with clean plant-based pea and sunflower proteins, we ensure that your long-distance adventures and expeditions leave a lighter environmental footprint on the wild spaces we love to explore.