Truefuels review: should you try Alistair Brownlee's energy gels?

Olympic champion and triathlon superstar Alistair Brownlee recently launched his own sports nutrition brand, Truefuels. I’ve been testing the Performance gels and here’s my honest, unsponsored Truefuels review.

Truefuels by Alistair Brownlee

At its core, Truefuels was born of a very practical mission: fuel athletes with precision, simplicity and expertise they can trust.

The spark behind the brand came from none other than Alistair Brownlee, a two-time Olympic triathlon champion, who spent decades searching for the most optimal performance nutrition strategy.

Working with nutritionists, researchers and fellow athletes, he tested formulas in the lab and in real training to ensure performance matched the science.

Alongside him is co-founder and CEO Goran Vasiljevic. His long-standing passion for performance and sport drove him to co-launch Truefuels to build a community of athletes striving to be their best.

Truefuels product range

As of August 2025, the Truefuels range consists of two energy gels:

  • Performance Gel 40/0.25
    Contains 0.25 g sodium, making it well-suited for cooler conditions or athletes with average sweat rates. It offers hydration and steady energy without excessive electrolyte load.

  • Performance Gel 40/1.0
    Contains 1.0 g sodium, targeting athletes training in hotter climates or those who lose more sodium through sweat. It helps sustain electrolyte levels for longer, harder efforts.

Both Truefuels Performance Gels share the same base formula, giving athletes the choice to match their sodium intake to their environment and personal needs.

The gels are vegan and gluten-free, with a neutral taste to prevent the “flavour fatigue” that can set in during extended activity.

What are the key ingredients in Truefuels gels?

The Performance gels are designed to fuel athletes’ training with:

  • Maltodextrin, a long-chain carbohydrate broken down quickly via SGLT1 transport for immediate energy.

  • Fructose, absorbed through GLUT5, which works alongside maltodextrin to restore liver glycogen and extend endurance.

  • Coconut water powder for naturally occurring electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals.

  • Himalayan salt to replenish sodium and maintain fluid balance.

  • Tri-magnesium citrate, a highly bioavailable form of magnesium that helps reduce cramping risk.

  • Potassium sorbate to preserve freshness without compromising safety.

My unsponsored review of Truefuels Performance gels

I wanted to try Truefuels gels but wasn’t sure whether I’d get on with those. So I ordered a handful via XMiles, which is a great platform to try samples of multiple brands without committing to buying a full box of everything, so that you can test what works for you.

Get 5% off your XMiles order here!

I opted for the 40/0.25 option as I don’t train in very hot climates or for hours at a time. But my review applies to both options as the taste, texture and packaging are the same.

The taste

I’ve always been a fan of neutral-flavoured gels like Precision because they help me avoid flavour fatigue on long runs.

That’s actually what pulled me toward Truefuels in the first place. This gel doesn’t have an overpowering taste, just a gentle hint of sweetness. Think of it as a lightly watered-down syrup, in a good way.

It’s easy to take and I’ve found it enjoyable enough that I look forward to using it mid-session.

So far I’ve only tried these gels in training, but I’d have no hesitation bringing them into a race.

The texture

The texture surprised me at first. It’s noticeably runnier than the gels I previously use, like Precision or Styrkr.

I do enjoy the thinner consistency, it goes down smoothly without the need for some water. The trade-off is that it can be a bit messy and it’s easy to end up with sticky fingers.

The packaging

The sachets are easy enough to tear open while running, which is a must. The catch is that with such a runny gel and the opening system, it can easily gush out if you’re not careful.

I’d love to see something closer to Precision’s narrow spout design, which helps control the flow and keep the gel inside until you sip on it.

To conclude, I’d give the Truefuels Performance Gel a 9/10, I think they nailed the taste and texture. I’ll be ordering more of these gels and I’m curious to see what’s in store in regards to future launches!

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