Aptonia is the nutrition brand of sports megastore chain Decathlon and the After Drink is Aptonia's take on the recovery drink – a post ride beverage to deliver the protein and carbohydrates required to repair the muscle damage caused by exercise, in an easy-to-consume form.
To that end, each 70g serving (2 scoops) packs a substantial 46g of carbohydrates and 14.5g of protein– on par with most of the competition. You mix it with 500ml of water, because trying to eat dry powder is no fun. To be sure, it's not going to replace a proper meal, but it'll get the recovery process started while you're busy cooking or simply lying on the sofa in a glycogen depleted daze.
Whey is used as the principal protein source while the carbohydrates are derived from a mix of unspecified proportions of dextrose, sucrose and maltodextrin – pretty standard stuff. In addition, each serving provides the usual handful of electrolytes – sodium, potassium and magnesium – and vitamins B1, B2 and B6. Those with nut or lactose intolerances (for all disclaimers see the product information box below) should note that this product isn't guaranteed to be free of such substances, and is therefore probably inappropriate.
All in all, the After Drink isn't trying to revolutionise the sports nutrition world, and nor does it make any claims to that effect; it's basically a standard recovery drink at a price which undercuts most of the competition.
However, unlike more traditional recovery drinks which are often quite thick and milkshake-like, with the flavours to match – chocolate, strawberry and banana seem to be the most popular – the lemon Aptonia recovery mix is much thinner and lighter. This makes it a more refreshing option when coming back from a long, hot ride; the kind where you find yourself encrusted in salt. I can see it being much more suited to summer time riding and racing than winter, when perhaps the thicker consistency of a more traditional recovery drink would be more fulfilling – well, for me at least.
Mixed with water based on the proportions indicated on the container, the resulting drink is not too sweet either and tastes quite like a decent lemonade should. The flavour is pleasantly mild and not at all overpowering, further adding to its refreshing quality. Mixability is good too, with a couple of shakes being all that's required to get the powder to fully dissolve. The fact that the lid doubles as a scoop (and a decent one at that) is also a neat touch.
Verdict
Refreshing recovery drink ideally suited to hotter conditions.
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Aptonia After Drink powder Lemon
Size tested: Lemon
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The After Drink is aimed for post-ride consumption, to provide the carbohydrates, protein and other nutrients required for optimal recovery.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Ingredients:
Sucrose, dextrose, whey proteins (23%), wheat maltodextrin, acidity regulator: citric acid, calcium citrate, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, flavour, vitamins (B1, B2, B6), emulsifier: soya lecithin. Contains: milk, soya. Made in a factory which handles: gluten, egg, sulphites, celery, mustard, shellfish, fish, nuts.
Macronutrient content (per 70g/500ml):
Energy: 250kcal – 1060kJ
Fat: < 0.5g
of which saturates: < 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 46g
of which sugars: 35g
Proteins: 14.5g
Fibre: 1.4g
Magnesium: 70mg (18%)
Calcium: 336mg (42%)
Vitamin B1: 0.76mg (69%)
Vitamin B2: 0.42mg (30%)
Salt: 1.8g
Refreshing taste ideally suited to warmer rides and a nutrient content that ticks all the boxes.
Each £9.99 tub is enough to mix 4.5l of recovery drink, making it significantly cheaper than most of the competition
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very good. It's not revolutionary but then nor does it claim to be.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The price.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The lemon flavour isn't really suitable for cold conditions when something thicker and more substantial would be better.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
About the tester
Age: 22 Height: 190cm Weight: 69kg
I usually ride: Canondale EVO Red My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Semi pro
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, mtb,





4 thoughts on “Aptonia After Drink Lemon recovery drink”
Designed to look ‘amusingly’
Designed to look ‘amusingly’ like a can of Lynx, I hope?
Think I’ll stick to chocolate milk…
Do you have your weak lemon
Do you have your weak lemon drink? ANSWER ME!
thelimopit wrote:Do you have
Drink it! Drink it NOW!
Do you have your weak lemon
Do you have your weak lemon drink? ANSWER ME!
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