For Tailwind Nutrition, ingredients are natural and flavoring is organic. No artificial, preservatives or four-syllable compounds. This Durango, CO, endurance athlete nutrition company will introduce two new caffeinated flavors in January 2016, Green Tea Buzz and Tropical Buzz, for its Endurance Fuel line.

Both contain 35mg of caffeine per 100 calories, just like Tailwind’s Caffeinated Raspberry Buzz. Why caffeine? Because this stimulant is proven to significantly enhance high-intensity and endurance performance, according to the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

“Other sports drinks contain longer-chain sugars that take more time and effort from the digestive track to break down into usable energy,” said Jennifer Vierling

Like its other Endurance Fuel products, Tailwind’s flavors are formulated to be used as a sole fuel source during exercise, without having to supplement with gels, electrolyte pills or food. Designed to provide rapid and sustained energy, the true upside to Tailwind products is they don’t upset your stomach (no gut bombs) during hi-intensity training. Downing gels or shots all at once stresses the digestive system and creates a cycle of spikes followed by declining energy and electrolyte levels.

“Other sports drinks contain longer-chain sugars that take more time and effort from the digestive track to break down into usable energy,” said Jennifer Vierling, co-founder at Tailwind Nutrition. “This slows the delivery of energy, and for some people can result in slowed or even stopped digestion.”

And for the vegan and lactose intolerant, Green Tea Buzz and Tropical Buzz are gluten free, vegan and contain no soy or dairy.

The Tailwind recipe replenishes electrolytes in the same proportion as you sweat out, and have a mild subtle flavor that you can drink all day. And although Tailwind is made for consumption during workouts, feedback from users showed its popularity pre- and post activity as well.

The advantages of drinking your fuel are ease of use and maintaining a steady intake.

Sipping regularly provides a steady stream of energy, electrolytes and hydration, which helps to keep your energy and electrolyte levels consistent and is easy on the digestive tract, the brand says.

While still a somewhat small operation, the company has been growing rapidly, from 40 doors at the end of last year to nearly 250 today.

“There is a lot of science behind our formulation,” said Vierling. “In a nutshell it contains dextrose and sucrose (your calories), simple carbohydrates for easy digestion and quick uptake into your system, and electrolytes (we broke down the composition of sweat and put it back in the drink). That’s it.”

–Images courtesy Tailwind Nutrition