After being seen for the first time at the Tour de France, the deliberate consumption of exogenous lactate emerges as a powerful nutritional strategy that will mark a new era in endurance nutrition.
Aurora Intelligent Nutrition analyzes the keys and formulation challenges of this new generation of sports products that transforms a molecule once rejected into a highly efficient metabolic fuel.
Madrid, September 2026– For decades, lactate has been associated with muscle burn, fatigue, and soreness. It was measured precisely to pinpoint when an athlete reached their physiological limit, and traditional scientific consensus advocated the need to “eliminate” it as quickly as possible. However, in
2026, the world’s top cyclists have begun deliberately consuming it as part of their energy strategy in major competitions.
During the recent Tour de France, Tadej Pogačar utilized a novel development from a sports nutrition brand in collaboration with his team, UAE Team Emirates XRG, which combined a high amount of carbohydrates with 10 grams of sodium lactate. Simultaneously, another Spanish firm broke onto the scene with a pioneering formulation based on alternative lactate sources. As the final stretch of the international season approaches—featuring highly demanding events like La Vuelta a España—this movement is shaping up to be one of the key nutritional trends to watch in the peloton.
But what happened for a molecule that was once targeted for elimination to end up positioning itself as a strategic ingredient in the diet of an elite athlete?
An 1980s concept reaching a new dimension today
The theoretical basis of this revolution is not new. In the 1980s, researcher George Brooks proposed the Lactate Shuttle theory, which posited that lactate was not a waste product, but a dynamic molecule capable of transporting energy between different cells and tissues.
Decades of subsequent research have consolidated much of this paradigm shift. The body produces lactate continuously—even when oxygen is available—and organs such as the heart, brain, and other muscle groups can use it directly as a preferred, rapidly available fuel.
“For many years, lactate was misinterpreted due to correlation: it increased when intensity spiked and fatigue set in, leading to the conclusion that it was part of the problem and assigning it incorrect causality. The major conceptual leap has been understanding that it plays a leading role in the body’s energy system,” explains Carlos Morales, Product Manager at Aurora Intelligent Nutrition (AIN).
However, this theoretical reinterpretation alone does not explain why the molecule is making the jump to professional cycling specifically in 2026.
Why is this opportunity emerging now?
According to AIN’s R&D&i team, the key lies in the convergence of three factors:
• Advances in Physiological Science: Beyond acting as fuel, current research studies lactate as a signaling molecule (termed a “lactormone”), capable of transmitting metabolic information to cells. The 2019 discovery of lactylation and findings regarding its mitochondrial impact confirm its regulatory role beyond its energetic function.
• Biotechnological and Formulation Innovation: For years, significant barriers existed regarding concentration, flavor, and, above all, gastrointestinal tolerance. New formulation developments appear to have overcome these limitations, delivering nutritionally relevant doses without causing
digestive distress under high intensities.
• Validation in High-Level Competition: The fact that several independent developments have reached competition almost simultaneously indicates that the industry has been viewing this field with enormous interest for some time, resulting in a genuine technological race to provide distinct
solutions to the same challenge.
“When different research groups, nutrition companies, and elite teams simultaneously begin exploring the same molecule, we are not looking at a passing fad. We are witnessing a new way of understanding energy nutrition in endurance sports and one of the most significant innovation streams of the next decade,” notes Morales.
The next generation of Endurance Fueling
Although the apparent success of oral supplementation seems to be confirmed, questions remain regarding exact dosages, key consumption timing, and optimal synergy with carbohydrates. The scientific and technical debate is open, and late-season stage races alongside other ultra-endurance events will serve as ideal proving grounds to observe the real evolution of this trend.
For AIN, the challenge is not simply adding lactate to a traditional formula. The key lies in perfecting the chemical matrix: selecting the appropriate chemical form of lactate, integrating it harmoniously with traditional sources of glucose and fructose, and ensuring maximum tolerance under extreme exertion.
The company has been actively working in this space for some time to develop its first advanced solutions based on exogenous lactate, positioning itself as a strategic partner for brands seeking to lead this trend.
“The history of lactate perfectly demonstrates how innovation in nutrition works,” concludes Morales.
“First, our understanding of physiology evolves. Then, the technology emerges to translate that finding into a product. Finally, elite sport steps in to test just how far it can take us in the real world.”
About Aurora Intelligent Nutrition (AIN)
Aurora Intelligent Nutrition (AIN) is a Spanish company headquartered in Estepa (Seville), specializing in the design and manufacturing of
functional nutritional solutions and custom dietary supplements.
Originating from the historic family business Mantecados La Aurora (founded in 1939), the company evolved toward a model based on R&D&i,
sustainability, and applied nutritional science after formulating and developing its first high-protein bar in 2006.
Aurora Intelligent Nutrition is much more than a manufacturer, offering a comprehensive 360º service that accompanies the client throughout
the entire product creation process—from formulation advice and regulatory guidance to packaging design and final manufacturing.
With over 450 employees and a presence in 39 countries, Aurora Intelligent Nutrition holds international certifications such as IFS Food, FSSC
22000, and GMP.
AIN develops over 12,000 formulas across various formats, including functional bars, gummies, vials, gels, capsules, tablets, creams, soluble
powders, and custom formulations tailored to the needs of each client and market. These solutions combine efficacy, safety, and exceptional
flavor (a legacy of its heritage in the traditional confectionery sector) for Private Label brands.
Through the Aurora Foundation, the company promotes scientific and technological training in Andalusia through its Desafío IA initiative.
More information: www.aurorainutrition.com
