A Ketone Ester Drink Increases Postexercise Muscle Glycogen Synthesis in Humans

After an interval-based glycogen depletion protocol, 12 well-trained male athletes completed a randomized, three-arm, blinded crossover study of a control drink then saline, a control drink then a 10 mM hyperglycemic clamp, or a ketone monoester drink then the clamp, each for 2 hours. The ketone drink raised blood D-beta-hydroxybutyrate to a maximum of 5.3 versus 0.7 mM for control. During the clamp, insulin was twofold higher (31 versus 16 mU/L) and glucose uptake 32 percent faster, and total glucose infused rose from 197 to 258 g.