The Effects of Bee Products Compared with Performance-Enhancing Drinks on Endurance Performance in Runners: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Scenario: Sports drinks (SPDs) are commonly used to enhance endurance performance in runners. However, these drinks contain artificial ingredients, and research has been done on the ergogenic effects of bee products as a healthier alternative to SPDs. Focused Clinical Question: In long-distance runners, what are the ergogenic effects of bee product supplementation compared to performance-enhancing drink supplementation on endurance performance? Summary of Key Findings: The authors of a high-quality study found that bee bread (BB) supplementation had a greater effect on running endurance performance than maltodextrin, while the authors of 2 lesser-quality studies found that Acacia honey drink (H) had a similar effect as SPDs on endurance performance and therefore, could be used as a substitute. Clinical Bottom Line: Evidence exists to support the replacement of SPDs for bee products as an ergogenic aid for endurance performance in recreational runners. However, more studies with greater sample sizes are needed to confirm the evidence in these studies. Strength of Recommendation: Grade B evidence exists that bee products have an interchangeable or greater ergogenic effect on endurance performance in recreational distance runners.