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For decades, the sports nutrition industry has pushed one solution: sugar.
Sugary gels, drinks, and chews dominated the fueling scene because fast energy was considered the only kind that mattered. But as athletes pushed harder, ran longer, and chased bigger goals, the cracks in that system became impossible to ignore.
"Almost every race I did with a simple sugar fueling plan, I had stomach issues,” says U.S. Olympian Dakotah Popehn. “I’d get sick mid-race—feel like I was going to throw up, and sometimes actually did. In training, I’d finish long runs feeling awful from all the sugar. It made post-run fueling really difficult.”
Yes, runners need carbs—but not all carbs are created equal. And with research showing that athletes can take in up to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour, understanding the type of carbs you consume is just as important as the amount.
The problem? Most of that research is based on elite male athletes and relies heavily on simple sugars. That doesn’t work for everyone—especially everyday athletes who prioritize performance, health, and long-term gains.
The Difference Is in the Delivery: Simple Sugar vs. LIVSTEADY ™
Originally developed to stabilize blood sugar in children with a rare metabolic disorder, this advanced carbohydrate has since become a game-changer for endurance athletes.
LIVSTEADY is the key ingredient in all UCAN energy products—gels, powders, and bars. It’s a non-GMO corn-based, complex carbohydrate made through a patented cooking process that changes how your body digests and uses it.
The result? A clean-burning fuel that gives you the energy you need without the drawbacks of sugar. Unlike simple sugars that hit your bloodstream fast and fade even faster, LIVSTEADY is slow-releasing—offering steady, predictable fuel your body can rely on.
4 Key Benefits of fueling with LIVSTEADY ™
Sugar causes rapid spikes in blood glucose—followed by sharp crashes. That rollercoaster leads to fatigue, brain fog, and poor performance mid-run.
LIVSTEADY digests slowly, releasing glucose gradually and keeping blood sugar stable for 2-3x longer than simple sugars.
"With UCAN, I don't feel an immediate jolt," says pro runner Emma Bates. "I just feel better for longer."
Running coach Greg McMillan adds. “Many of the runners I coach feel great early in the race, then crash halfway through. With UCAN, they have a steady base of energy to build on, instead of falling below that line.”
2. Less Stomach Drama, More Comfort
During long runs or races, digestion slows down—making sugary fuels more likely to cause GI distress. Simple sugars draw water into the intestines, which can lead to diarrhea, cramping, and general discomfort.
"GI distress is the biggest challenge the runners I work with face," says Coach McMillan. "That gel that tasted great at mile 5? By mile 20, it makes you want to throw up. Your stomach’s over it. It’s dehydrated, it’s inflamed, it’s just not absorbing well. And if your gut isn’t happy, you’re not focused on performance—you’re focused on just surviving."
LIVSTEADY has a high molecular weight and low osmolality, so it moves through the stomach quickly without pulling in excess water. That means less bloating, cramping, and discomfort.
3. Enhances Fat Burning & Metabolic Flexibility
High-sugar fueling spikes insulin, which tells your body to rely primarily on carbs for energy—blunting fat burning and limiting endurance.
By contrast, clinical trials show that UCAN's LIVSTEADY starch supports fat breakdown during exercise, helping you preserve glycogen and develop metabolic efficiency. You become a more adaptable athlete, not dependent on constant sugar intake.
"The simple sugar approach is all about stabilizing blood sugar," says Seebohar. "Because these carbs digest and absorb quickly, you have to take them often—every 30 to 45 minutes—to keep energy levels steady, which teaches your body to rely on frequent doses of carbs for energy.
"On the other hand, with a slower-burning carbohydrate like UCAN’s LIVSTEADY, it’s a different strategy. It digests more gradually, so you don’t have to take it as often—maybe every 60 to 75 minutes instead. That gives you a smoother energy curve without the spikes and crashes and allows your body the opportunity to tap into fat for fuel."
4. Supports Long-Term Health & Longevity
Consistently spiking blood sugar and insulin with sugar-based fuels can contribute to insulin resistance, weight gain, and other metabolic issues. It also conditions your brain to crave sugary foods after exercise, making recovery nutrition harder to manage.
Seebohar says: "Many runners think that when they're exercising, everything is okay because they’ll burn those calories. That’s true. You are going to burn the calories, but what that also does, psychologically, is it trains your brain to like sweet foods. The more simple sugars you eat during exercise or during training, the more you are teaching your brain that “happy center” in your brain to want sweet foods. Thus, after your run, you will try to seek out high-added sugar sweet foods, which is detrimental for health and longevity."
Whether you’re training for your first half marathon, chasing a PR, or tackling ultra distances, how you fuel matters. UCAN gives you the confidence of stable energy, the comfort of fewer stomach issues, and the benefit of better long-term health.
