# CHO MAXX — Why Winforce relies on starch instead of maltodextrin

> The 1:0.8 ratio of glucose to fructose is the industry standard. Winforce goes one step further with CHO MAXX: starch and isomaltulose instead of maltodextrin — for less sweetness, stable blood sugar and up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour.

- Published: 2025-03-15

The [**1:0.8 ratio of glucose to fructose**](https://shop.ch.winforce.com/en/blogs/news/1-0-8-is-common-winforce-goes-beyond) is found in almost every premium sports drink today. Physiologically, this makes sense: two different transport routes in the intestine can be used in parallel, which increases absorption to up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour. The standard is set — the only question is how to implement it.

## The crux of the matter with maltodextrin

Most manufacturers solve the glucose side of the formula with maltodextrin. Inexpensive, easily soluble, neutral in processing. But maltodextrin has a glycemic index close to 100 — higher than household sugar — and quickly drives up blood sugar, which inevitably triggers a counter-reaction. On long rides, this leads to fluctuations that become noticeable exactly when the tank is empty.

Remo Gugolz, food engineer and founder of Winforce, spent three years working on a different solution. The result is [**CHO MAXX**](https://www.winforce.com/en/products/): the glucose side comes from natural starch, the fructose side from isomaltulose — a disaccharide that is digested more slowly than ordinary fructose. No maltodextrin.

## What this means in practice

Starch is gradually broken down into glucose. Blood sugar rises more evenly and remains at a stable level for longer. Isomaltulose also releases energy more slowly. Both together flatten the curves without reducing the overall capacity. According to Winforce, up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour are possible — the same amount as with maltodextrin-based products, but without the peaks.

Another effect: less sweetness. Maltodextrin drinks with a high carbohydrate content can be difficult to drink after two hours. CHO MAXX claims to have been deliberately kept mild, which becomes relevant when exercising for more than three hours.

According to Winforce, those who need additional electrolytes in hot conditions or on short, intensive rides can easily combine CHO MAXX with **HYDRO ENERGY** — isotonic liquid concentrate sticks that are designed for the same carbohydrate system.

## WorldTour use

Groupama-FDJ uses CHO MAXX in every race — CHO MAXX is the team's most used Winforce product. The fact that a WorldTour team bases its nutrition strategy on a product without maltodextrin is not a marketing argument, but a functional test under race conditions.

CHO MAXX is available in five flavors: Lemon, Peach, Neutral, Grapefruit and Matcha.

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Source: https://kilometro.ch/en/articles/cho-maxx-why-winforce-relies-on-starch-instead-of-maltodextrin