{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T23:33:55Z","timestamp":1787614435968,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,10]],"date-time":"2026-04-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1775779200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Nutr."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Alginate is a plant-derived polysaccharide used in sport nutrition for its gel-forming properties. Alginate- and pectin-based carbohydrate hydrogels aim to optimize carbohydrate delivery during endurance exercise by modulating gastric emptying and intestinal absorption. However, evidence on their effects on metabolism, gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance, recovery, and performance remains inconsistent.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>To systematically evaluate the effects of alginate-based carbohydrate hydrogels on metabolic responses, GI tolerance, recovery, and endurance performance in humans.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized controlled trials (2000\u20132025) comparing alginate- or alginate\u2013pectin\u2013based hydrogels with non-hydrogel carbohydrate or placebo during \u226560-min endurance exercise. Outcomes on metabolism, GI symptoms, recovery, and performance were qualitatively synthesized and visualized via an evidence heatmap.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Nine trials met inclusion criteria. Hydrogels generally enhanced metabolic indicators such as exogenous carbohydrate oxidation, particularly at high ingestion rates. GI tolerance was similar to traditional solutions, with fewer symptoms reported under high-carbohydrate conditions. Performance effects were inconsistent\u2013minor improvements occurred mainly in running, with limited or null effects in cycling and skiing. Preliminary evidence indicates potential attenuation of muscle damage markers and preserved post-exercise amino acid availability.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Alginate-based hydrogels appear to modulate carbohydrate metabolism without consistently improving endurance performance. Their efficacy depends on exercise type, carbohydrate dose, and athlete training status. Further well-controlled trials are needed to define their role in supporting performance and recovery.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2026.1774380","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,10]],"date-time":"2026-04-10T06:01:51Z","timestamp":1775800911000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Plant-derived alginate polysaccharide hydrogels in sport and exercise nutrition: implications for carbohydrate metabolism, gastrointestinal integrity, exercise recovery, and athletic performance"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Pengyuan","family":"Li","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sport and Health, Zhumadian Preschool Education College, Zhumadian","place":["Henan, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Qingwei","family":"Song","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce","place":["Tianjin, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nannan","family":"Xu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sport and Health, Zhumadian Preschool Education College, Zhumadian","place":["Henan, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"918","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17050918","article-title":"A review of carbohydrate supplementation approaches and strategies for optimizing performance in elite long-distance endurance.","volume":"17","author":"Cao","year":"2025","journal-title":"Nutrients."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1690","DOI":"10.1152\/jappl.2000.89.5.1690","article-title":"Effect of carbohydrate ingestion on glucose kinetics and muscle metabolism during intense endurance exercise.","volume":"89","author":"McConell","year":"2000","journal-title":"J Appl Physiol."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"C710","DOI":"10.1152\/ajpcell.00583.2024","article-title":"Carbohydrate ingestion eliminates hypoglycemia and improves endurance exercise performance in triathletes adapted to very low- and high-carbohydrate isocaloric diets.","volume":"328","author":"Prins","year":"2025","journal-title":"Am J Physiol Cell Physiol."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4963","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18094963","article-title":"Regulation of energy substrate metabolism in endurance exercise.","volume":"18","author":"Alghannam","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1367","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15061367","article-title":"Carbohydrates and endurance exercise: a narrative review of a food first approach.","volume":"15","author":"Naderi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nutrients."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S25","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-014-0148-z","article-title":"A step towards personalized sports nutrition: carbohydrate intake during exercise.","volume":"44","author":"Jeukendrup","year":"2014","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2094","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12072094","article-title":"Effects of 120 vs. 60 and 90 g\/h carbohydrate intake during a trail marathon on neuromuscular function and high intensity run capacity recovery.","volume":"12","author":"Urdampilleta","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nutrients."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4223","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13124223","article-title":"Meta-analysis of carbohydrate solution intake during prolonged exercise in adults: from the last 45+ years\u2019.","volume":"13","author":"Bourdas","year":"2021","journal-title":"Perspective. 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