The NOVAFIT gel (45 g of carbohydrates, absorbed in 0–5 minutes) is fast energy for the intense sections; the NOVAFIT bar (50% fruit pulp, gradual digestion and amino acid content) is more sustained energy for moderate pace and long distance. They don't compete: you alternate them according to the moment in the race.
Gel or bar. The question seems simple; the answer is strategic. Both provide energy, both are vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and free from artificial colours and flavours, and both contain real fruit pulp. But their nutritional profile, their absorption speed and their role during a race are different —and in a long event, using them well or badly can be the difference between finishing strong or finishing on empty.
The key differences at a glance
| NOVAFIT Gel | NOVAFIT Bar | |
|---|---|---|
| CHO per serving | 45 g (5 sources, 1:0.8 ratio) | 30 g (4 sources, 2:1 ratio) |
| Absorption speed | High (acts in 0–5 min) | Medium (gradual digestion) |
| Real fruit pulp | Up to 45% | 50% |
| Sodium | 400 mg (sodium citrate) | — |
| Magnesium | 125 mg (bisglycinate) | 230 mg (citrate) |
| BCAAs | No | Yes (188 mg, 8:1:1 ratio) |
| L-Glutamine | No | Yes (68 mg) |
| Texture | Fluid and semi-liquid | Solid chew, dissolves on its own |
| Needs chewing | No | Practically not |
| Ideal moment | Intense effort, hard sections | Moderate pace, early sections |
When to use the gel
The gel is your tool for fast, precise energy. Use it when the effort is high and the gut has no margin for extra work:
- In the highest-intensity sections (climbs, sprints, race finishes).
- When you need energy to arrive in under 5 minutes.
- In the second half of long events, when the rate of intestinal absorption is already low.
- Whenever you can't chew safely (technical descents, very high pace).
The fluid texture of the NOVAFIT gel goes down without chewing and without stopping, and its base of natural fruit pulp makes it easy to take even when blood flow moves away from the digestive system —one of the factors behind gastrointestinal issues in long distance.
When to use the bar
The bar is your tool for sustained energy and format variety. Use it when the pace allows:
- In the early sections, when the intensity is moderate and the gut is working normally.
- In long efforts, where you appreciate chewing something solid and changing texture so you don't get sick of gels.
- When you want a more gradual energy supply, without the gel's immediate kick.
The bar also provides BCAAs (188 mg, 8:1:1 ratio, with leucine as the main component) and L-glutamine (68 mg) —two amino acids widely studied in the sports field. It's worth being honest about the evidence: the work linking BCAAs to a smaller rise in creatine kinase after exercise (Salem et al., 2024) or L-glutamine to protection of the intestinal barrier (Zuhl et al., 2014) uses doses of several grams, well above those provided by a bar. That's why we don't present these amino acids as a guaranteed recovery effect, but as a complement to the fruit and carbohydrates that make up its base. The bar's energy comes, above all, from its carbohydrates and its fruit pulp.
The smart combination in a long race
Gel and bar don't compete: they complement each other. Each has its moment.
Practical strategy for events longer than 3 hours:
- First 60 min: NOVAFIT bar at minute 20–30. Moderate pace, active gut, gradual energy from the start.
- Minute 60 onwards: alternate gel and bar every 30–35 minutes according to the intensity of the section. Gel for the hard moments, bar for the pace-recovery ones.
- Last 45 min: gel only. Maximum absorption speed when you need it most.
With this pattern you cover the 60–90 g of CHO per hour range validated by the evidence, add textural variety in the sections where the muscle has already been working for hours, and maintain digestive tolerance throughout the event.
One brand. Two formats. Zero compromises.
Frequently asked questions
Which is absorbed faster, the gel or the bar?
The gel. Its fluid texture and its five carbohydrate sources start delivering energy in the first few minutes. The bar, being solid, is digested more gradually, which makes it ideal for moderate-pace sections.
What are the bar's BCAAs and L-glutamine for?
They are amino acids widely studied for their role in muscle recovery and gut health. In the bar they appear as a complement to its base of carbohydrates and fruit; the doses aren't meant to reproduce those of clinical studies, which are much higher.
Can I alternate gel and bar in the same race?
Yes, and in long events it's recommended: bar in the moderate-pace sections, gel in the higher-intensity ones and in the final stretch. You maintain the carbohydrate supply and vary the texture so you don't get sick of it.
Which should I carry in an ultra of +4 h?
Both. Start with the bar in the first hour, alternate gel and bar through the central stretch according to intensity, and save the gel for the final stretch, when you need the fastest absorption.
Does the bar contain the same magnesium as the gel?
No. The gel contains 125 mg of magnesium in bisglycinate form; the bar contains 230 mg in magnesium citrate form. They are different forms of the same mineral.
This content is informational and educational and does not replace the advice of a health or nutrition professional. NOVAFIT products are food supplements for athletes; do not exceed the recommended dose. If you have a medical condition, consult a professional before using them.
