Science in Sport Nocté 45g sachet £1.50 or 15 for £20

Sleep, no one will be surprised to hear, is a vital part of the process of recovery from exercise. It is the time the body rests, recuperates and repairs itself, and lack of sleep has a raft of negative effects on athletic performance. These may include a reduction in cardiovascular performance and endurance, impaired coordination and even an increase in perceived exertion, or how hard a given level of effort feels.

Getting the most out of a good night’s sleep needs – well – a good night’s sleep, for a start. It also needs proper nutrition, which is where Nocté, a night time-specific drink from Science in Sport, comes in. Part of the SiS Protein Kinetics system, it is formulated to provide slow-release proteins, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B6 for absorption during the night.

Science aside, Nocté certainly has a noticeable effect on the body. Taken as a cold drink about 20 minutes before retiring to bed, it invariably sent the reviewer into a deep, untroubled slumber from which it was hard to wake in the morning. Hard to say whether there was any improvement in physical condition after a week or so of nightly consumption, but this would be a subjective judgment in any case without some sort of proper test protocol.

Assuming SiS have done their research, Nocté has to be worth considering either as part of preparation for a big event or as part of the nutritional intake during a training camp. Sachets bought singly are a bit expensive, so buy by the box of 20. The vanilla flavour tastes quite nice last thing at night. Beats the usual malted hot drink. Also available in chocolate flavour.

Verdict

Slumber-inducing

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Enhanced nocturnal recuperation

Must be shaken prior to drinking

More at www.scienceinsport.com and
www.sleepstrong.com