Maurtens Head of Nutrition: Tobias Christensson
Inside the science of elite performance: Why energy is your foundation, how pH-neutral fuel protects your teeth, and the truth about bicarbonate buffering.
In the latest episode of the podcast, Fredrik and Erik sit down with Tobias Christensson, the Head of Nutrition at Maurten. With a background in clinical nutrition and sports science, Tobias bridges the gap between high-level R&D and the world’s most elite athletes, including recent marathon world record-breakers.
The conversation dives deep into the evolution of sports nutrition, the science of hydrogels, and the tactical use of sodium bicarbonate for endurance performance. Listen to the latest episode of D-VELO-P cycling training podcast to take part of the the whole conversation with Tobias.
The Energy Foundation
Tobias emphasizes that while athletes often focus on micronutrients or “marginal gains,” the true foundation of performance is total energy intake.
The “Engine” Matters: Elite athletes can consume massive amounts of carbohydrates (over 120g/hour) because their “engine” and metabolic turnover are so high.
Energy First, Hormones Second: Tobias recalls a lesson from his university supervisor: without sufficient energy, hormones cannot function properly. Energy is the fundamental requirement for both health and performance.
Why Hydrogel Technology is a Game Changer
Maurten’s rise in the endurance world was fueled by its unique hydrogel technology.
High Concentration, Low Distress: Traditionally, high-sugar solutions caused stomach issues. The hydrogel allows for highly concentrated drinks (like the DrinkMix 320) to be tolerated by the gut.
Dental Health: Interestingly, Maurten was partially inspired by the poor dental health of its founders. Most sports fuels are acidic and damaging to teeth. Maurten’s products are close to pH neutral, making them less harmful to dental enamel—a factor that Tobias notes is often ignored in sports nutrition but can impact systemic inflammation and recovery.
Bicarbonate: The 1% for the 1%
One of the most discussed topics in modern cycling is sodium bicarbonate.
Buffering Capacity: Bicarbonate helps the body manage the acidity (hydrogen ions) produced during high-intensity efforts.
The Sodium Trade-off: A single dose contains a substantial amount of sodium, often exceeding a daily recommended intake. While the body is good at regulating this, Tobias warns against overusing it outside of key sessions.
Hyper-hydration: The high sodium content can also lead to a “hyper-hydration” effect, which may improve thermoregulation in hot conditions.
Common Pitfalls for Athletes
According to Tobias, the most common mistake is underestimating the cost of hard efforts.
Athletes often fail to realize how much energy they burn even during “moderate” intensity sessions, especially as they get fitter and their power output increases.
Context is Key: While pros might need aggressive carbohydrate supplementation, recreational athletes can often reach their goals with well-planned daily nutrition rather than extreme fueling during every run or ride.
Key Takeaway: Treat your nutrition as a systematic part of your training. Build a relationship with your fuel, train your gut like a muscle, and never neglect the simple foundation of getting enough energy into the system.