Product Reviews

HUMA Energy Gels

Chia seeds: good for more than just putting hair on your head.

A few months ago, one of the owners of HUMA, contacted Runner's High about carrying his new nutrition line. Huma's founder served in the U.S. military, and it was during a deployment in Iraq that the huma idea was born.

Huma energy gels are 100% ALL-NATURAL! They are made with Chia seeds, which means it's loaded with Omega 3's and antioxidants. Fun fact: the Tarahumara and Aztec civilizations used Chia seeds for endurance fuel! Best of all, because huma is made from real food (100% fruit), it's easy on the digestive tract. So to all you endurance athletes who avoid gels because of GI distress: here is a solution!

I sampled Huma at the shop, and again tried it for a workout. My first reaction: this is no traditional energy gel! Most gels are gooey in texture, and have a bit of an acquired taste. Huma tastes and has the consistency of jam. Both flavors- Strawberry  & Apple Cinnamin- are tasty. I tried  it out for a speedwork session, which I usually rely on Gu for. Because Huma doesn't have caffeine or added electrolytes, it didn't give me the kick I usually expect from an energy gel. So while I enjoy the taste and texture, I don't know if I'll be relying on it for those high intensity workouts. HOWEVER, I do a lot of long(er) rides that require me to fuel. I don't like to eat REAL food because it doesn't sit well while working out, so this is PERFECT- real food, but already processed so my body doesn't have to do it. I don't usually cramp from gels, but I have noticed that I struggle on rides that last longer than two hours, and that is usually accompanied with some GI distress. For those reasons, I feel better about eating HUMS during longer training sessions. Huma will be my go-to nutrition product for the long moderate intensity workouts. So far so good!

 Since then, huma has been a second best nutrition seller at Runner's High (behind Gu). The general pattern has been that athletes who struggle with GI distress go for the Huma, while those who want that caffeine kick stick with Gu. I have had a lot of customers who are open to trying Huma, and most of them come back for more!