For 51-year-old André Kuhn, endurance athlete and brand ambassador for the alternative sugar Palatinose™, 2024 was a year filled with impressive sporting milestones and extreme challenges. He has been with the Südzucker Group for more than 35 years and has been involved in the packaging of Palatinose™ at the BENEO plant in Offstein (Germany) for more than 20 years. As a passionate endurance athlete, he has made Palatinose™ an essential part of his daily diet relying on its sustained energy to conquer events like the ‘Race Across Germany’ and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. In this blog post, he shares how Palatinose™ fueled his successes and outlines his ambitious plans for 2025.
Looking back at 2024: a year of challenges and victories
For André, 2024 was an unforgettable year. It was a year in which he took on several sporting challenges that pushed him to the limit, both physically and mentally. His absolute highlight was the ‘Race Across Germany‘, a 550 km non-stop cycle race across Germany. “During the race, which lasted a good 24 hours, I had the feeling that my energy never diminished,” recalls André. “There are no words to describe the feeling when I got to know that I would make it to the finish line after more than 20 hours on the bike”. André describes how Palatinose™ helped him maintain his energy levels in this extreme situation: “Especially in long-distance races, it is important for endurance athletes that the energy source is available for a longer period of time and does not cause strong fluctuations in blood sugar levels. This keeps you mentally focused and physically fit”.
Another personal highlight for André was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro again. Climbing Africa’s highest mountain is an extraordinary challenge for anyone. “The air gets thinner with every metre of altitude and each step requires more strength and concentration,” says André. Palatinose™ was once again his reliable companion. “By taking Palatinose™ regularly, I was able to maintain my energy level and cope with the cold, the altitude and the extreme exertion. It’s a great feeling to know that you have an energy source that won’t let you down”.
André also took on the challenge of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, where he and a BENEO colleague from Belgium covered 600 kilometres on their bikes. “This race demands everything from you physically – and at the same time you have to stay mentally strong,” explains André. “With the right support from Palatinose™ and targeted preparation, I was able to get the best out of myself.”
What is Palatinose™ and why is it so special?
Palatinose™ is a functional carbohydrate derived from beet sugar. Its unique combination of physiological properties sets it apart from conventional sugars such as sucrose. Palatinose™ has a low glycaemic index, which leads to a slower and lower rise in blood glucose and insulin levels. In addition, Palatinose™ is fully digestible and contributes to improved fat oxidation in energy metabolism, which has a positive impact on metabolic health and weight management.
These unique properties of Palatinose™ are crucial for endurance athletes like André. “Compared to conventional sports drinks, which are often very sweet and have an intense taste, Palatinose™ is pleasantly mild. This is very important to me, especially during long races, when you drink the same drink for hours,” he explains. Unlike conventional sugars, Palatinose™ provides a more even and sustained energy supply and helps to keep blood glucose levels stable without putting a strain on the stomach – an advantage that André particularly appreciates during extreme long-distance races. “In the past, I often had digestive problems after a few hours if I relied on other sources of sugar. This is completely counterproductive in a long-distance race,” says André. “With Palatinose™, I don’t have these problems. It doesn’t put a strain on my stomach. It’s a reliable source of energy that I can use for long periods without any problems”.
Palatinose™ is also tooth-friendly, which is particularly important for endurance athletes like André. “In races where I almost exclusively consume liquids, I don’t want my teeth to be affected by constant contact with sugar. Palatinose™ is ideal for endurance athletes because it is gentle on the teeth and puts less strain on the mouth than conventional sugars”.
Daily preparation and the role of Palatinose™ in the training of an endurance athlete
André prepares intensively for his sporting challenges throughout the year. “Training is an integral part of my everyday life because I train six days a week,” he confesses. Whether on the bike or running, Palatinose™ is always with him. “Even during shorter training sessions, I use Palatinose™ in my drinks to get my body used to a steady supply of energy.” André describes how he fills his water bottle with Palatinose™ powder and a little syrup. This gives him the perfect mix of energy and taste during training. “This is not only important for physical endurance, but also for mental endurance. When I get used to Palatinose™, I know that my body is ready in case of an emergency”.
Looking ahead: André’s plans for 2025
The year 2025 promises another exciting challenge. André is planning to take on the ‘Race Across Germany’ again. this time with the aim of beating his personal best. But that’s not all – he will also be competing in an Ironman in Italy in September. “The combination of swimming, cycling and running is particularly exciting for me because I can test my skills in several disciplines,” states André. The Ironman is a special challenge for him as he has not competed in this combination of three disciplines for several years.
“It gives me the opportunity to use Palatinose™ again in an intense competitive situation and to show how well the product works even in such a complex race,” describes André. He is convinced that Palatinose™ will help him maintain his performance in these extreme situations. He wants to show that age doesn’t matter if you have the right drive and energy source.
Motivation for everyone: Reach your goal with the right nutrition
André’s story is an inspiring example that exceptional performance is not just a question of training. For him, the right source of energy is crucial and Palatinose™ plays a central role – not only for endurance athletes. “Palatinose™ is more than just a product for me. It’s a reliable partner on the road to peak performance,” confirms André. Palatinose™ offers all those who want to push their own athletic or personal limits exactly the support they need to reach their goal, step by step.
The road to peak performance starts now
“Whether it’s climbing a mountain, running a long-distance race or doing an Ironman, the right energy source makes all the difference,” says André. “With Palatinose™, I have not only improved my performance, but also gained the confidence that I can achieve any goal.” If you’re looking for an energy source that provides sustained, reliable power, find out how Palatinose™ can help you achieve your next big goal.
Bonus: The interview with André Kuhn – the full story
If you want to delve even deeper into André’s experiences, you can read the full interview here. In it, he shares his detailed thoughts on his biggest sporting challenges, his nutritional tips and his insights into the effects of Palatinose™ in sport.