With that said, we know life can get in the way, making it hard to hit your daily micro and macronutrient goals. And in those cases, we, too, like to open up the supplement cabinet. 

Here’s a little bit more about our approach to supplements, how we choose our products (like the best protein powders and best pre-workout supplements), and what factors we prioritize.

Our Priorities

At BarBend, we value journalistic integrity and keep this front-of-mind when we test exercise equipment or write about supplements. When it comes to our nutrition content, these are the factors we prioritize:

• Expert Verification: We lean on registered dietitians and other experts to help us analyze different formulas, dose sizes, and potential side effects. This helps us ensure we’re promoting safe, effective products. 
• Personal Testing: Our team has personally tried nearly every product on our supplement pages.
• Nutritious Supplementation: We know some products don’t always portray the best intentions. For that reason, we do not recommend or promote any products tied to disordered eating. Please read all of the dosage recommendations for our products.
• Safe Ingredients: We don’t recommend any products that are known to have dangerous ingredients. That being said, not every supplement is ideal for every athlete, so please read our articles in entirety and speak to a registered physician to ensure safe consumption.

[Related: The Best Clean Protein Powders of 2024]

Our Process

To create our round-up lists, we use the following process: 

Factors We Consider for Supplement Reviews

When we write our supplement reviews, there are a few priorities we consider. In order to accurately compare one product to another, we also rate each of these factors on a scale of 1 to 5. 

Formulation

When assessing a formula, we take a close look at the ingredients list. Our team searches for research-backed ingredients that have actually been shown to work. We also look at the quality of these ingredients (for instance, standard whey isolate vs. grass-fed whey).

We also prioritize clinically-effective doses. Just because an ingredient may work, that doesn’t necessarily mean that one serving contains enough of that ingredient. We work with dietitians and use peer-reviewed research to assess whether a supplement contains sufficient dosage sizes.

Transparency and Third-Party Testing

The FDA doesn’t closely regulate what ingredients are in a supplement. So, we put a premium on brands that present plenty of transparency with their ingredients. The most reputable supplement brands also like to turn to third-party testing to show that their products are safe and effective. We try our best to prioritize products that are third-party tested with no artificial additives.

Personal Experience

There are many aspects our testers prioritize while trying a product and they may vary depending on the supplement category. This can include:

• Taste
• Solubility
• Texture
• Side Effects
• Price
• Convenience

The post BarBend Supplement Testing Methodology appeared first on BarBend.

Ka’Chava also contains moderate to large doses of various vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, adaptogens, pre- and probiotics, and more. Plus, all you need to do to prepare it is mix it with liquid and give it a good shake. With its robust ingredients list, a large dose of protein, and grab-and-go convenience, Ka’Chava might be a solution for busy people who want a fast, filling, nutritious meal. Let’s take a closer look.

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

Main Takeaways

Ka'Chava Whole Body Meal

Ka'Chava Whole Body Meal

This vegan meal replacement offers various superfood blends that include organic fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, enzymes and probiotics. It totals 240 calories, 25 grams of plant-based protein, 25 grams of carbohydrates (including seven grams of fiber), and seven grams of fat. 

Shop Ka'Chava

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal Highlights

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is a meal replacement powder that contains over 85 different ingredients, uses five different plant-based proteins to provide a complete amino acid profile, and offers seven different nutrient-dense blends. These blends include a plant-based protein blend, an omega essential fatty acid and fiber blend, an antioxidant blend, an adaptogen blend, a super greens blend, a pre- and probiotic blend, and a digestive enzyme blend. With this stack of ingredients, Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal does double-duty as both a greens powder and a protein powder. 

This meal replacement powder offers up 240 calories, 25 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbohydrates, and seven grams of fat. The calorie count is fairly light compared to other meal replacements, but the nine grams of fiber should help keep you satisfied until you can grab a mid-morning snack. It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and there are no artificial ingredients. Plus, it comes in five different flavors, including some interesting ones like Coconut Acai and Matcha. At $4.66 per serving, it’s not cheap, but subscribing to a monthly subscription drops the per-serving price to $4.00.

Pros

• There are 25 grams of plant-based protein in this formula, which puts it on par with the dosages in many protein powder supplements. 
• This supplement is loaded with micronutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin D, to name a few. 
• Ka’chava Whole Body Meal has 21 percent of the daily recommended allowance of fiber, which helps you feel full longer.
• There are only five grams of added sugar per serving. 

Cons

• At $4.66 per serving, this is a pricey supplement. 
• There are only 15 servings per package, so you’ll have to kick down for two bags a month if you make this part of your daily routine.
• The antioxidant, adaptogen, super-greens, and pre-/probiotics come in blends, so you won’t know exactly how much of each of those ingredients you’re getting.

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal Overall

Put simply, Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is a meal replacement shake that crams a lot of protein and nutrients into a relatively small number of calories. Within the 240 calories per serving, Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal has 25 grams of protein, which is similar to what you get with most protein powders, 24 grams of carbohydrates, including six grams of fiber, seven grams of fat, and 26 different vitamins and minerals (including 750mcg of vitamin A, 5mcg of vitamin D, 3mcg of vitamin B12, 333mcg of folate, and 600mg of calcium). 

While the nutrition information is specific, the individual ingredients come in the form of proprietary blends. Companies aren’t required to list specific amounts in their blends, so you can’t be sure of how much of every ingredient you get, just what nutrients you’re getting from those ingredients. So, while you’ll you’ll know that you’re getting 30mg of vitamin C, you won’t know which blend it’s coming from. Also, 240 calories may not be enough to keep some people satiated until their next meal. But there is an easy fix — many users report mixing fruit, almond butter, or other whole food ingredients in with this powder to help bolster the calorie count.

[Related: The Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss]

Formulation

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is made up of seven different blends — a plant-based protein blend, an omega essential fatty acid and fiber blend, an antioxidant blend, an adaptogen blend, a super greens blend, a pre- and probiotic blend, and a digestive enzyme blend. These blends combine to create a 240-calorie formula that delivers 25 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbohydrates, seven grams of fat, and 26 different vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a closer look at these blends.

Protein Blend

The 29.35g Plant-Based Protein blend is made up of yellow pea protein, whole grain brown rice protein, sacha inchi, amaranth, and quinoa. The addition of pea protein is a standout because it contains all nine essential amino acids. It is, however, somewhat low on some amino acids like leucine, which may be a trigger for muscle anabolism. The addition of other plant proteins (like sacha inchi and quinoa) helps to balance the protein blend’s amino acid levels. (1)(2)(3)

Omega EFA/Fiber Blend

The six grams of fiber in this formula comes from the 11.12-gram omega EFA/Fiber blend. It’s made up of whole grain oats, acacia gum, chia seeds, and flax seeds. The flax seeds are especially notable for their high amounts of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, the latter of which can help fight inflammation and speed up muscle recovery. (4) Plus, the fiber can help you feel fuller longer, which is especially important in a lower-calorie supplement like this one. (5)

Antioxidant/Super-fruit Blend

This 5.1-gram blend is a great way to add some fruits to your diet. It’s made from coconut flower nectar as well as berries like acai, maqui, camu-camu, strawberry, tart cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry. All of these berries are commonly called superfruits for their high doses of antioxidants, which can aid brain function, support disease prevention, and reduce inflammation. In fact, a 2017 study found that tart cherry juice may reduce muscle inflammation and help speed up recovery in athletes. (6)

Adaptogen Blend

Research shows that adaptogens like the herbs and mushrooms included in this mix can help the body regulate mood, balance hormones, and boost the immune system. (7) The adaptogens in this 1,020mg mix include maca root, shiitake mushroom, maitake mushroom, reishi mushroom, cordyceps mushroom, and ginger root. 

Super-Greens Blend/Vegetable Blend

One of the highlights of Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is that it doubles as a greens powder, thanks to its robust 500g greens blend. It includes beet, carrot, spinach, broccoli, tomato, kale, cabbage, parsley, brussels sprouts, green pepper, cucumber, celery, garlic, green onion, cauliflower, asparagus, and chlorella. This shake won’t completely replace your need for fresh whole vegetables, but it’s a convenient way to up your daily intake. 

Probiotic/Prebiotic Blend

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal stands out among many meal replacement powders thanks to its inclusion of pre-and probiotics, which can help maintain gut health, potentially leading to health benefits that range from bolstered immune systems to clearer thinking. (8) This 50mg blend contains the prebiotic fiber inulin, as well as the probiotics lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus acidophilus. 

Digestive Enzyme Blend

All of these nutrients won’t do your body any good if you don’t digest them. To help your body break down and absorb as much of the above ingredients as possible, Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal has a blend of digestive enzymes that contains amylase, an enzyme that digests starches, protease, an enzyme that breaks down protein, and lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats. (9) The blend also contains cellulase, which breaks down sugars, and lactase, which helps digest (you guessed it) lactose. (10)

What To Consider Before Buying Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal

Like many meal replacements, Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is a bit of an investment, especially if you take it every day. Before deciding on Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal, consider things like its price, taste, ingredients, and nutritional profile. 

Price

Each 15-serving bag costs $69.95, which comes down to about $4.66 per serving. That places Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal on the higher end of the price range, but you can save some money by signing up for a monthly subscription, which knocks the price down to $59.95, or $4.00 per serving. Even with that discount, if you take Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal daily, you’re looking at spending $120 a month. If that’s too much for your budget, this isn’t the meal replacement for you.

Taste

It doesn’t matter how nutritious a meal replacement is if you refuse to drink it. Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal offers five different flavors — Vanilla, Chocolate, Coconut Acai, Chai, and Matcha — all of which are heavily praised in user reviews. “So far, I’ve tried the Coconut Acai, Chocolate, and Vanilla,” one reviewer says. “All three are absolutely delicious, but the Coconut Acai is my favorite.” 

Ingredient Amounts

The ingredients in Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal come in the form of seven blends — Plant-Based Protein, Omega Essential Fatty Acids/Fiber, Antioxidant/Super-Fruit, Adaptogen, Super-Greens/Vegetable Blend, Probiotic/Prebiotic, and Digestive Enzyme. The good news is that these blends cover just about every micro- and macronutrient that you could ask for. The bad news is that while Ka’Chava shares specifics on the nutrient values provided, the blends don’t give specific amounts of each ingredient, so if you want to know precisely how much flax, maca root, amylase, or any other ingredient you’re ingesting, this may not be the product for you.

Nutrients

Each serving of Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal contains 240 calories, 25 grams of plant-based protein, 24 grams of carbohydrates, and seven grams of fat. In addition, there are 26 different micronutrients in moderate to high doses, including 3mcg of vitamin B12, 75mcg of biotin, 250mg of zinc, and 250mg of magnesium. 

While many user reviews have noted that a two-scoop serving of Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal keeps them full until their next meal, 240 calories may not be sufficient for everyone. Some users recommended blending Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal into a smoothie to boost the supplement’s calorie count. “I mix this in a blender with fruit,” one user says. “With the fruit added, it becomes a 300-calorie breakfast.”

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal Vs. The Competition

There are plenty of meal replacement shakes out there, so it pays to shop around before settling on one. We compared Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal to some of the other popular meal replacements on the market. 

As you can see, Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is the option with the lowest number of calories, which makes it a good choice for people who want to lose weight. It’s also the only one on this list that includes probiotics, so it’s the best option of the four for those hoping to improve their digestive health.

On the other end of the caloric spectrum is the Transparent Labs Mass Gainer. At over triple the number of calories and double the protein, this is the clear choice for people who are looking to put on mass at the gym. It’s also the most expensive. 

On the lower end of the price spectrum, HLTH Code has fewer carbohydrates and more fat than the other options, which makes it ideal for people on a Keto diet, while Rootana has a more balanced macro profile and is the most budget-friendly option on this list. 

The perfect meal replacement can vary from person to person based on their dietary needs, goals, and budgets. But, as you can see in this small sample, there is a meal replacement for everyone out there. If you establish your goals and do your homework, you’ll be able to find the right one for you.

Places to Buy 

You can purchase from its website as well as from Amazon, Walmart, and other online retailers. A 15-serving bag costs $69.95, which comes out to $4.66 per serving. There are occasional discounts on Amazon, but the most reliable way to save money is by signing up for a monthly subscription on Ka’Chava’s website. With a monthly subscription, each 15-serving bag costs $59.95, or $4.00 per serving.

In Conclusion

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is a convenient meal replacement that’s loaded with nutrients but won’t take a huge bite out of your daily calorie budget. The 25 grams of protein, moderate amounts of 26 vitamins and minerals, and the inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes make it seem like a love child between a greens powder and a protein powder. For some, the 240 calories per serving may not be enough to keep them full until the next meal, but blending it with some fruit or nut butter can help boost its satiety. 

Users have almost universally praised the five different flavors, which include some unique options like Coconut Acai and Matcha — plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and contains zero artificial ingredients. Its $4.66-per-serving price tag is on the higher end, but when you sign up for a monthly subscription, that price drops down to $4.00 per serving, which is still nothing to sneeze at. Also, although the specific amounts of nutrients like fiber and vitamin B12 are listed, the ingredients come in blends, so you won’t know how much quinoa, pea protein, or blueberry extract you’re getting. But if you’re looking for a tasty, nutrient-rich meal replacement shake that does the work of a protein powder, a greens powder, and a pre-/probiotic, this might be the one.

FAQs

Resources

1. Banaszek A, Townsend JR, Bender D, Vantrease WC, Marshall AC, Johnson KD. The Effects of Whey vs. Pea Protein on Physical Adaptations Following 8-Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): A Pilot Study. Sports (Basel). 2019 Jan 4;7(1):12. doi: 10.3390/sports7010012. PMID: 30621129; PMCID: PMC6358922.
2. Breen L, Churchward-Venne TA. Leucine: a nutrient ‘trigger’ for muscle anabolism, but what more? J Physiol. 2012 May 1;590(9):2065-6. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.230631. PMID: 22548909; PMCID: PMC3447149.
3. Mhd Rodzi NAR, Lee LK. Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia Volubilis L.): recent insight on phytochemistry, pharmacology, organoleptic, safety and toxicity perspectives. Heliyon. 2022 Sep 7;8(9):e10572. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10572. Erratum in: Heliyon. 2022 Nov 08;8(11):e11436. PMID: 36132179; PMCID: PMC9483583.
4. Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2002.10719248. PMID: 12480795.
5. Clark MJ, Slavin JL. The effect of fiber on satiety and food intake: a systematic review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2013;32(3):200-11. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2013.791194. PMID: 23885994.
6. Vitale KC, Hueglin S, Broad E. Tart Cherry Juice in Athletes: A Literature Review and Commentary. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2017 Jul/Aug;16(4):230-239. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000385. PMID: 28696985.
7. Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, Dimitriadi D, Gyftopoulou K, Skarmoutsou N, Fakiri EM. Health benefits of probiotics: a review. ISRN Nutr. 2013 Jan 2;2013:481651. doi: 10.5402/2013/481651. PMID: 24959545; PMCID: PMC4045285.
8. Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, Dimitriadi D, Gyftopoulou K, Skarmoutsou N, Fakiri EM. Health benefits of probiotics: a review. ISRN Nutr. 2013 Jan 2;2013:481651. doi: 10.5402/2013/481651. PMID: 24959545; PMCID: PMC4045285.
9. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/digestive-enzymes-101-why-theyre-important/
10. Forsgård RA. Lactose digestion in humans: intestinal lactase appears to be constitutive whereas the colonic microbiome is adaptable. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Aug 1;110(2):273-279. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz104. PMID: 31175813; PMCID: PMC6669050.

The post Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal Replacement Review appeared first on BarBend.

AG1 is likely one of the most comprehensive greens powders we’ve ever seen, with 75 high-quality whole-food sourced nutrients. Of all the greens powders on the market, AG1 — available in bags of 30 servings or single-serve pouches — is probably the most talked about, although it’s also one of the most expensive. Despite the price, we are big fans because of the extremely thorough formula and objectively good taste.

Main Takeaways

Athletic Greens

Athletic Greens

This nutritious greens powder is NSF certified for sport and includes 75 absorbable ingredients and is free of gluten, sugar, dairy, eggs, and peanuts. It is compatible with vegan, keto, and paleo diets. 

Shop Athletic Greens Shop Athletic Greens

AG1 Video Review

Our reviews writer, Nick English, gives you the scoop on AG1. In this comprehensive breakdown, he talks about Athletic Green’s benefits, drawbacks, taste, pricing, ingredients list, and more.

We should note that Nick did review a previous version of the formula, and while most of what he covers in the video is still relevant, the formula did change a bit with some of the vitamins and dosages. Read on for a more in-depth look at the current recipe.

AG1 Highlights

This greens powder has plenty of key micronutrients for athletes, with each serving dishing out a potent blend of vitamins, minerals, superfoods, antioxidants, probiotics, digestive enzymes, adaptogens, and more. It even contains some ingredients designed to support mental health, like rhodiola rosea and ashwagandha. It’s difficult to list out every ingredient and its dosing since there are 75 of them, but some are especially notable. Each serving provides 700 percent of your daily value of vitamin C, along with over 100 percent of most B vitamins. 

Antioxidants are plentiful, thanks to the twelve servings of vegetables per scoop with spirulina, wheatgrass, chlorella, and more. In addition, you’ll receive 7.2 billion CFU of probiotics. The formula is suitable for just about every dietary restriction since it’s vegan, paleo, keto, and low-carb. What AG1 doesn’t include is just as impressive — there are no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, flavors, GMOs, eggs, or peanuts. 

Who Should Buy AG1

• Those who want the most robust and comprehensive greens powder available will like the list of 75 ingredients that are designed to support nearly all areas of wellness.
• If you’re worried about digesting and absorbing the nutrients in your greens, there are digestive enzymes and probiotics here.
• People who want a potential boost in energy. AG1 has reishi mushroom, vitamin B12, and magnesium, all of which are intended to help naturally boost energy levels.

Who Shouldn’t Buy AG1

• Anyone who is looking for a cost-effective greens powder. This formula is stacked, but you have to pay for it.
• People who want to know the exact amounts of every ingredient should look for a greens powder that doesn’t use proprietary blends.
• If you want multiple flavor options or prefer unflavored greens powders, you may be disappointed that this only comes in one flavor.

Price and Buying Options

You can purchase AG1 directly through the AG1 website if you click the link above. It comes in a 30-serving container for about $99 ($3.30 per serving) or 30 individual packets for around $109 ($3.63 per serving).

AG1 Overall

Though this greens powder is likely one of the most expensive options on the market, it also has one of the most exhaustive ingredient lists, making it worth the price for many people. From the hearty servings of key vitamins and minerals akin to a multivitamin to the high dose of probiotics at 7.2 billion CFUs, AG1’s encyclopedic formula has ingredients to potentially support just about all major organs and body functions.

Formulation

With seventy-five of them, AG1 packs in more ingredients than any other greens powder we’ve seen. In this review, we’re going to break them down by the four blends, and separate vitamins and minerals that you’ll find on the ingredients label.

Vitamins and Minerals

AG1 has a ton of micronutrients in its formula. Each serving will net you 555mcg of vitamin A, 420mg of vitamin C, 83mg of vitamin E, and a blend of B vitamins. They’re all very well dosed, with all but vitamin A covering over 100 percent of your daily intake. The minerals that are included are rather comprehensive with ten of the most popular minerals including hearty doses of the electrolytes calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Notably absent are vitamin K and vitamin D, though AG1 sells those two supplements together as an additional product.

Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense, Raw Superfood Complex

The point of this blend is to provide phytonutrients beyond traditional vitamins and minerals. In this complex, you’ll find a ton of potentially beneficial greens, like spirulina, wheat grass, chlorella, and kelp, along with some fan favorites like ginger, green tea extract, and beetroot powder, among many others. AG1 includes all of these and then some to potentially deliver antioxidants and a host of other nutrients meant to help keep your body functioning at top levels.

Nutrient Dense Natural Extracts, Herbs, and Antioxidants

If you’re looking for adaptogens and other big hitters, this is the complex you’ll likely be most interested in. It features some ingredients intended to provide mood support, like rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, and beta-glucans which may aid in immune health. CoQ10 is also included for potential heart health. Milk thistle, dandelion root, and ALA are also present among a host of other herbs and antioxidants.

Digestive Enzyme & Super Mushroom Complex

With so many ingredients, it may be challenging for your body to absorb and make the most of them all, which is why AG1 has a digestive enzyme complex. You’ll find astragalus root extract, bromelain, and burdock root powder. It also includes adaptogenic mushrooms, like reishi powder and shiitake powder, in this blend.

Dairy Free Probiotics

The probiotic complex is the most straightforward blend of the bunch with only two ingredients, but don’t let that fool you. AG1 has a potent dose of 7.2 billion Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Bifidum intended to aid digestive health.

Dietary Considerations

AG1 and keto fans would get on just fine, as would vegans, paleo folks, and people with sensitive allergies — there’s no gluten, dairy, corn, egg, peanuts, animal byproducts, lactose, sucrose, dextrose, herbicides, pesticides, GMOs, or preservatives. There also aren’t any artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. There is technically some soy, but they note that it doesn’t contain any trypsin inhibitors or other soy proteins.

(We tried 47 brands: Check out our best green superfood powder picks.)

What to Consider Before Buying AG1

So what should you consider before completing your order for AG1? Consider why you’re thinking about taking a greens product in the first place. Do you want whole-food sourced micronutrients? Interested in antioxidants or digestive health support? Maybe you’ve heard they contain adaptogens that might help with stress. It’s also important to consider the taste and price before making a final decision. Let’s break these factors down so you can purchase with confidence.

Micronutrient Sources

There aren’t a ton of studies that have been performed on the potential health benefits of greens powders, though a couple of small studies published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine did find that taking green superfood products similar to AG1 resulted in reduced blood pressure among their participants. (1)(2) 

When examining the product’s claims, it’s worth remembering that vitamins and minerals can carry out many bodily functions independent of where they originate. AG1 has ingredients that may support “energy, immunity, gut health, liver function, hormone function, brain function, and detoxification.” It may be worthwhile to consider whether or not you care where your nutrients come from, as the source may not actually influence their effectiveness.

Antioxidants

The main benefit usually associated with green superfood powders is that antioxidants may help to slow certain kinds of cellular damage and fight inflammation, meaning that, in some respects, they might slow the onset of aging.

Some vitamins (A, C, and E) are regarded as antioxidants and would make a fine “antioxidant supplement” on their own, but many of the whole food ingredients — like spirulina and chlorella — in this product are also marketed as antioxidants. It’s important to consider that despite the good reputation of the ingredients, AG1 hasn’t actually quantified its antioxidant content, making it hard to speak to its actual antioxidant content.

Digestive Health

The most remarkable component here is the probiotic bacteria, which may improve everything from immunity to anxiety. But there’s also prebiotic fiber in the inulin, burdock root, and artichoke leaf, which is meant to act as food for the probiotic bacteria. Finally, there are some digestive enzymes here, like bromelain, which may improve nutrient absorption. AG1’s emphasis on digestion is much more impressive than your average greens product.

Stress and Adaptogens

This product contains certain ingredients commonly referred to as adaptogens, which may help the body to respond to stress from strength training and everyday life. Taking adaptogens might help you respond to the stress of a tough day at the office and to the stress of a tough workout, which is why so many people are interested in them.

Some of the adaptogens here include rhodiola rosea and reishi mushrooms to potentially help in a number of areas, from subjective well-being to better immunity. These are both areas of your health that stress might heavily affect. Other adaptogens here include astragalus and ashwagandha, but there is one standout problem: We don’t know how much of each ingredient AG1 contains — which leads to our next point.

Proprietary Blends

For what many consider the best greens powder available, this is the biggest potential issue with the product. Are these ingredients impressive? Absolutely, but we don’t know the dosages of the ingredients in the proprietary blends. How strong is the antioxidant effect of the product? We know that there are two grams of dietary fiber but don’t know about the prebiotic fiber. Do the adaptogens reach the best doses typically recommended in studies?

A common recommendation for astragalus extract, for example, is about 250 milligrams, and for reishi mushroom, it’s over a gram. In a scoop of AG1, those ingredients are both in the 125-milligram Digestive Enzyme & Super Mushroom Complex, along with several other ingredients. It’s likely that the developers of the formula rely on the ingredients working synergistically with all the other adaptogens, but we usually prefer a bit more transparency with each ingredient labeled individually. It would be particularly nice to know how much of each constituent AG1 contains, so you can get a better idea of the supplement’s potential health benefits.

Taste

Many greens powder flavors make us hesitant to drink them, as they taste reminiscent of dirt and moss. AG1 is hailed as a powder you can truly enjoy, savoring each sip instead of feeling a need to shotgun it like a fraternity pledge slamming a beer. The main flavors that come through are pineapple, vanilla, and papaya, though the base of added flavorings also includes cherry powder, carrot, and broccoli.

Unlike many powders, AG1 doesn’t try to smother the bitterness of its ingredients with artificial sweeteners; it also contains notes of ginger, which work alongside the bitterness to make a slightly sweet and spicy beverage that’s actually pretty pleasant. In fact, it’s widely considered one of the best-tasting greens powder out there.

Price

AG1 is known for its subscription model — you get a discount if you sign up for a monthly shipment. If you do that, you’re looking at $79 per 30-serving bag or roughly $2.63 per scoop. If you prefer individual travel packs, you’ll pay a bit more for the subscription at about $89 ($2.97 per serving).

If you’re not sure that this is the product for you and don’t want to commit, you can make a one-time purchase, but you’ll have to pay a bit extra. The 30-serving pouch is around $99, or $3.30 per scoop, while the travel packs are about $109 ($3.63 per pack). In either case, you’re provided with a 90-day money-back guarantee on your first order, an unusual perk for a product like this and one that may help you decide to pull the trigger.

Final Word

This is one of the most nutrient-dense greens powders we’ve seen, let alone tried. It’s not crazy high in minerals like calcium and magnesium, so this shouldn’t replace green vegetables in your diet, but it’s super high in vitamins. AG1 seems to contain plenty of antioxidants and may well have a significant impact on digestive health because of the pre/probiotics and digestive enzymes. However, it would have been nice to see AG1 do a better job of quantifying the antioxidant benefits of the product and disclosing the doses it uses. Plus, it’s much more expensive than many other greens powders, which could be prohibitive for some consumers.

If the price is no issue, this product in could definitely be a convenient source of a lot of essential nutrients for athletes, adaptogens, and ingredients for digestive health. Cost aside, this remains one of the most nutritious green superfood powders on the market. For most of the best greens powders, probiotics and antioxidant levels are the primary selling point. But AG1 is also a supplement for vitamins A, B vitamins, C, E, and zinc supplements. It certainly provides much more bang for your buck than other greens powders we’ve tried.

FAQs

References

1. Zhang, J et al. Taking nutritional supplements for three months reduced blood pressure but not blood lipid levels in students. J Chiropr Med. 2006 Summer; 5(2): 53–59.
2. Zhang, J et al. The effect of fruit and vegetable powder mix on hypertensive subjects: a pilot study. J Chiropr Med. 2009 Sep; 8(3): 101–106.

The post AG1 Review — Price, Flavor and Nutrition Breakdown appeared first on BarBend.

If you’re looking to gain muscle and want to supplement with a robust pre-workout that may help with that, BULK is the way to go. In addition to its muscle-focused formula, Transparent Labs BULK also nixes proprietary blends, which means you know the exact quantity of every ingredient in a serving. Plus, TL implements third-party testing, and provides certificates of analysis and composition on their site. If it’s transparency and effectiveness you’re after, this could be the last pre-workout formula you need to try. 

Main Takeaways

Transparent Labs BULK

Transparent Labs BULK

• Caffeine: 200mg
• Key Ingredients: 8,000mg of citrulline malate, 4,000mg of beta-alanine, and 300mg of alpha GPC
• Flavors: Strawberry Kiwi, Piña Colada, Blue Raspberry, Black Cherry, Peach Mango, Tropical Punch, Watermelon, Sour Grape, Green Apple, Orange, Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Lime
• Price Per Serving: $1.67

Shop Transparent Labs

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

Transparent Labs BULK Highlights

As the name suggests, Transparent Labs BULK is formulated for those who are focused on muscle gain. One of the main properties that draw customers to this supplement is its potential to increase testosterone — its vitamin D, zinc, and boron are ideal for this. In addition, you’ll find solid doses of citrulline, beta-alanine, BCAAs, tyrosine, and more.

However, if you are looking for creatine in your pre-workout, you will not find that here. The caffeine dosage is on the lighter side at only 180mg, which can be great for some, but early morning gym-goers may seek a higher dosage. And of course, if you’d rather focus on weight loss with your pre-workout rather than bulking, there are better options for you on the market. 

Who Should Buy Transparent Labs BULK

• Athletes who are looking to gain and retain muscle will like the formula here.
• Anyone who’s interested in increasing their testosterone will appreciate the vitamin D, zinc, and boron in this blend that can potentially help with that. 
• Folks who want a lower dose of caffeine — this supplement only contains 180mg per serving. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs BULK

• Athletes who would prefer to focus on weight loss can find blends specifically formulated to help with this rather than testosterone production. 
• Customers who want creatine in their pre-workout will want to look elsewhere. 
• If you want a higher dose of caffeine, you can find pre-workouts with nearly double the dose you’ll find in BULK. 

Price and Buying Options

It’s $49.99 for 30 servings, which comes out to $1.67 per serving. This is fairly consistent for high-quality pre-workouts across the market. However, if you aren’t seeking a robust ingredients list, you can definitely find less expensive options. But for pre-workouts with similar ingredients and dosages, this price is right around average. 

Transparent Labs BULK Overall

Transparent Labs BULK’s formula focuses on potential muscle gain through testosterone production. The vitamin D, zinc, and boron in this blend can all help with this cause, plus you’ll find other pre-workout staples like citrulline, beta-alanine, and betaine that can help with power output and endurance. 

BULK also offers quite a bit of flavor variation with its seven varieties — Watermelon, Tropical Punch, Sour Grape, Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Orange, and Strawberry Lemonade. 

Formulation

Overall, this blend focuses on testosterone, power, and endurance. It’s worth noting that there are no artificial ingredients or flavorings aside from stevia, a natural flavor, and some anti-caking agents. Below, we dive into the details on the rest of the ingredients. 

Citrulline Malate 

Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid found naturally in legumes, organ meat, and watermelon that can help with power output and endurance. BULK contains six grams of citrulline malate, which is citrulline combined with malic acid to potentially help with absorption. This is a fairly high dose for a pre-workout supplement. 

Beta-alanine 

The beta-alanine has a strong link with endurance, and while Transparent Labs’ “LEAN” pre-workout has a pretty standard 1.5 grams, there’s a huge four-gram dose in BULK. Beta-alanine tends to cause a harmless tingly sensation on the skin, and four grams of it may be a bit much for those who dislike that sensation. 

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) 

BCAAs — leucine, isoleucine, and valine — can help with muscle retention, endurance, fat loss, and focus. There are four grams in BULK, which is a decent dose for a pre-workout. You may find higher doses in dedicated BCAA supplements though.

Betaine 

Several studies conducted with powerlifting movements — squat, bench press, and deadlift — have found that betaine can improve power output. There’s a solid 2.5-gram dose here. 

Vitamin D, Zinc, and Boron

BULK contains 3,000 IU of Vitamin D3 (750 percent of the recommended daily intake, or RDI), 200 percent of the RDI for zinc, and five milligrams of boron (no RDI established). 

While this isn’t as strong as steroids, there actually is some interesting evidence. Vitamin D and zinc are both strongly linked with optimal testosterone levels. One study found that over a year of consuming about 3,000 IU per day of Vitamin D (the amount found in a serving of BULK), subjects increased their testosterone levels by 20 percent. (1) Adequate zinc intake also has a link with testosterone, but it’s important to note that neither of these nutrients will increase your T to superhuman levels.

Deficiencies in these nutrients may result in a deficiency in T. However, getting adequate amounts of these nutrients may help bring you to baseline. Studies are much more limited on boron, but it does appear to increase testosterone production and free testosterone in both men and women. (2)(3)

Caffeine

There’s a 180-milligram dose of caffeine here, which is about as much as you’ll find in a small cup of coffee. 

Taurine, Tyrosine, and Theanine.

Taurine, tyrosine and theanine can all help with focus during your workouts. This supp contains 1.3 grams, 600mg, and 360mg of each, respectively. 

Other Ingredients

The black pepper extract in BULK is intended to help food and supplements absorb more effectively, which is why it’s sometimes included in medications as well. The velvet bean and the hordenine could have adrenaline-like effects, but the evidence is pretty shaky. The choline bitartrate could also help with power in that it appears to increase anaerobic capacity. Here’s a look at the rest of the ingredients:

• Choline bitartrate — 500 milligrams
• Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean extract) — 70 milligrams
• L-norvaline — 60 milligrams
• Synephrine HCl (bitter orange extract) — 50 milligrams
• Hordenine — 25 milligrams
• Bioperine® (black pepper extract) — five milligrams

What To Consider Before Buying

Beyond understanding the ins and outs of what Transparent Labs BULK’s ingredients can offer, the product itself has some additional qualities to consider before adding it to your cart.

Price

It’s $49.99 for 30 servings, which is $1.67 per scoop. That’s pretty expensive, given most basic pre-workouts are between 80 cents and a dollar per scoop. However, this product is far more potent and robust than many basic pre-workouts on the market. The average pre-workout gives about half as much citrulline, betaine, and beta-alanine. BULK also skips other ingredients altogether. The steeper price here seems justified, and if you compare BULK to other pre-workouts with similar ingredients and dosages, you’ll find around the same pricing. 

Taste

The Strawberry Lemonade flavor tastes pretty good, albeit very sour. It’s not farfetched to be wary of naturally-sweetened pre-workouts, but the lemon-flavored ones are usually pretty tasty. Strawberry Lemonade, in particular, was a lot more lemon than strawberry, but if you mix one scoop with two cups of water, it goes down pretty easily.

Dose

It’s difficult to find fault with this pre-workout. It’s well-dosed for endurance, power, and focus. It’s got black pepper extract to help ingredient absorption and is reasonably priced. The zinc and vitamin D3 make it pretty nutritious and potentially beneficial for your testosterone.

For a muscle-building pre-workout that can provide a decent pump, one might expect to find other ingredients like epicatechin or l-carnitine l-tartrate. Most people don’t get enough vitamin D, and it has a more significant and well-researched effect on testosterone than many other “muscle-building” supplements have on muscle.

There’s not much evidence for the adrenaline-like effects; it’s not the highest-caffeine pre-workout around, and it might be a bit high in beta-alanine, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a buy, particularly if you’re a fan of a nice sour taste.

Final Word

If you’re looking for a robust formula that can help with muscle gain, the focus on testosterone production here may be ideal. The blend of vitamin D, zinc, and boron that can help increase testosterone is not common in the pre-workout industry, which allows BULK to stand out from its competitors. Plus, this formula also contains pre-workout big-hitters like citrulline, beta-alanine, tyrosine, and caffeine. While the price does reflect its robust ingredients list, we think the cost is worth it for the potential gains you can receive if you take this pre-workout consistently. 

FAQs

References

1. S. Pilz, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. 2011. Hormone and Metabolic Research. DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1269854.
2. F H Nielsen, et al. Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women. 1987. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Nov;1(5):394-7.
3. Mohammad Reza Naghii, et al. Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines. 2011. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2010.10.001.

The post Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout Review — A Pre-Workout for Muscle Gain? appeared first on BarBend.

Swolverine POST has 120 calories, 13 grams of protein, and 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving. The protein comes from pea protein, which can be a suitable choice for vegan athletes and may be better tolerated by those with sensitive digestive systems. While it is pricey, we found Swolverine POST to be high quality due to its third-party verification and its inclusion of ingredients like l-glutamine, which may help reduce muscle soreness after a tough workout.

Main Takeaways

Swolverine POST

Swolverine POST

Swolverine's POST vegan post-workout powder uses pea protein, carbohydrates, coconut water, and Himalayan sea salt to help you refuel after a hard workout. 

Shop Swolverine

Swolverine POST Highlights

Swolverine POST is a third-party tested, plant-based post-workout supplement. It has 120 calories, 13 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbohydrates, and one and a half grams of fat per serving. Its ingredients include eight grams of pea protein isolate, 500 milligrams of coconut water, and 350 to 500 milligrams of bromelain (enzymes from pineapple) and fruit powders from pineapple, papaya, and pomegranate. It also has 200 milligrams of pink Himalayan salt, four grams of l-glutamine, 12 grams of pea starch, and 250 milligrams of spirulina.

One tub costs around $62.99 and has 30 servings, equaling about $2.10 per serving. However, it only comes in a Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor. If you are looking for more flavor options or are allergic to coconut or peanuts, this may not be the right supplement for you. 

Who Should Buy Swolverine POST

• Vegans or individuals who can’t tolerate dairy will likely enjoy this supplement for their post-workout shakes. It may have the same potential muscle-building and recovery benefits as whey protein because it contains pea protein, which has all nine essential amino acids. 
• Customers who prefer full transparency into their products’ ingredients will appreciate that there are no proprietary blends in Swolverine POST and that the label states how much of each ingredient you get per serving.
• Anyone who wants to ensure they are not consuming products contaminated with banned substances — all of Swolverine’s supplements are third-party tested by Lief and Micro Quality labs.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine POST

• Anyone who wants more flavor variety in their protein supplements — we think the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor is pretty tasty, but it’s the only flavor Swolverine currently offers in this supplement.
• Those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on supplements — Swolverine costs around $62.99 per container and is one of the more expensive supplements we’ve seen.
• Individuals who require a high daily protein intake may prefer another supplement that offers more protein per serving. Swolverine POST only provides 13 grams of protein per serving, while other plant-based protein powders offer at least 20 grams per serving.

Price and Buying Options

Swolverine POST is available in one flavor — Chocolate Peanut Butter. One container has 30 servings (one scoop or 35 grams) and costs around $62.99 (about $2.10 per serving). You can subscribe for automatic deliveries and save 15 percent, bringing the cost down to around $53.54 per tub (about $1.78 per serving). Available delivery frequencies are every one month, two months, three months, or four months. 

Even with a subscription, the cost is higher than many other post-workout supplements, which cost around $40 to $50 per container. However, you also get high-quality ingredients, such as coconut water and l-glutamine, which may help with post-workout hydration and muscle recovery, respectively. Considering you’d likely spend more money buying a cheaper protein powder and other supplements individually, the cost of Swolverine POST may be worth it since you can get the benefits of multiple supplements in one.

Swolverine POST Overall

Swolverine POST has a fairly low protein content, with just 13 grams per scoop. To be fair, Swolverine isn’t labeled as a protein powder — instead, it’s called a post-workout recovery formula. Since carbs can be an essential component of recovery after a tough workout, Swolverine POST also offers 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Plus, it has coconut water, l-glutamine, fruit juice powders, spirulina, pink Himalayan salt, and pea starch, which can all help prevent or reduce muscle fatigue and improve athletic performance. Plus, because it has just one and a half grams of fat, you can fit it into a low-fat diet. 

It is only available in a Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor, but it has a great taste that is reminiscent of a decadent milkshake. We also love that Swolverine POST is third-party tested by Lief and Micro Quality, so you can ensure you’re not unknowingly consuming banned substances. If you’re looking to maximize your post-workout recovery with a fully transparent supplement, Swolverine POST could be the right choice for you.

Formulation

Swolverine POST is a post-workout supplement that contains pea protein. Pea protein is one of the few plant-based proteins that is a complete protein since it contains all nine essential amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth. (1) Swolverine POST also contains coconut water and fruit juice powders that provide carbohydrates for recovery. It is free from gluten, soy, and dairy, and does not contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners.

However, for a recovery supplement, we wish the carbohydrate content was higher. According to a study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, a four-to-one ratio of carbs to protein can be ideal for most athletes immediately following a workout. (2) With just 13 grams of protein and 15 grams of carbohydrates, Swolverine POST falls short of that recommendation. But, we’ll go into more detail on this supplement’s macro breakdown as well as its key ingredients below. 

Protein

The protein in Swolverine POST comes primarily from pea isolate, a filtered protein extracted from yellow peas and ground into a fine powder. Other plant-based protein sources are incomplete proteins because they do not contain all nine essential amino acids, but pea protein isolate is a complete protein. (3)

Animal proteins are also complete proteins. However, individuals who don’t eat animal products may miss out on the muscle-building benefits of these amino acids, especially if they don’t consume various plant-based protein sources to ensure they get adequate amounts of each. Pea protein powder can be an ideal choice for vegans who want to maximize their muscle-building potential.

With 120 calories and just 13 grams of protein per 35-gram serving, the protein percentage per calorie is only 37 percent. Swolverine doesn’t market this product as a protein supplement, but it’s important to note that this is much lower than regular plant-based protein powders, which usually have 20 grams of protein or more per serving.

The lower protein content in Swolverine POST can make it harder to reach your protein goals if you require a high protein intake (for example, if you’re a bodybuilder or a highly active individual) or prefer a high-protein meal after a workout. Having at least twenty grams of protein after a workout may also be more optimal for building muscle, so you can benefit from taking another protein powder with this supplement. (4)

Fats

Swolverine POST has just one and a half grams of fat per scoop. This is fairly low, considering plant-based protein supplements can have at least double that amount per serving. However, keeping your fat intake low may be better after a workout. Fat can slow down the digestion of other nutrients. By consuming a low-fat post-workout supplement after a training session, your body can more rapidly absorb the protein and carbohydrates it may need for recovery. The low amount of fat in Swolverine POST also leaves plenty of room for you to get most of your daily fat intake from whole food sources.

Carbohydrates

This supplement has 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving, thanks to ingredients such as fruit juice powders and coconut water, which may help prevent dehydration, replenish electrolytes lost through sweat, and allow your muscles to recover faster.

Most regular protein powders have less than 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving, so they may be a better option for those who follow the keto diet or want to get most of their carbohydrates from whole foods. But because Swolverine POST is a post-workout supplement, the fact that it’s higher in carbohydrates isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Carbohydrates can help replenish glycogen stores after a challenging workout, so the body can quickly begin to repair damaged muscle tissue. (5)

That said, 15 grams is low compared to carbohydrate powders, which can have 25 grams of carbohydrates or more per serving. Studies show that 0.4 grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight may be ideal for a post-workout meal, so you may need to take another carbohydrate powder or consume other high-carbohydrate food sources with Swolverine POST to boost your recovery. (2)

L-Glutamine

L-glutamine is an amino acid that may help boost recovery and reduce muscle soreness. (6) The body produces it naturally, but athletes and those who work out at a high intensity may need more than the body can make. The l-glutamine in Swolverine POST can help your body replenish the l-glutamine it loses during heavy exercise. The recommended dosage of l-glutamine varies, but some studies suggest not exceeding 14 grams daily. (7) Each scoop of Swolverine POST contains four grams of l-glutamine, which is within a safe amount.

Coconut Water

Coconut water may help with hydration due to its high electrolyte content. Replacing electrolytes can be important after exercise, especially if you sweat a lot. Otherwise, you may become dehydrated and experience symptoms such as muscle cramps, dizziness, and fatigue. Each serving of Swolverine POST has 500 milligrams of coconut water.

Pink Himalayan Salt

Pink Himalayan salt is another ingredient that can help prevent dehydration. Sodium is an electrolyte, so consuming it as part of a post-workout supplement may help to keep the body’s fluid levels balanced after exercise. (8) In each scoop of Swolverine POST, you get 200 milligrams of pink Himalayan salt.

Fruit Juice Powders

Each serving of Swolverine POST has 350 to 500 milligrams of fruit juice powders from pomegranate, papaya, bromelain (enzymes derived from pineapple), and pineapple. Together, these ingredients may help reduce swelling and inflammation, delay muscle fatigue, aid protein absorption, and provide quick-digesting carbohydrates for faster recovery. (9) These fruits are also high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which may help promote better overall health. (10)

Pea Starch

Pea starch is what’s left after peas have been filtered to remove the protein and fiber content. It provides a steady source of energy that may help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels and subsequent energy crashes. Pea starch may also be digested easier than other carbohydrate sources, so it can be a good choice for those with sensitive stomachs. For every scoop of Swolverine POST, you get 12 grams of pea starch.

Spirulina

Spirulina is a type of algae that is high in vitamins and minerals and may have several health benefits. For example, it may help lower blood pressure. (11) It may also help improve athletes’ cardiovascular function and exercise performance. (12) A 35-gram serving of Swolverine POST provides 250 milligrams of spirulina.

What To Consider Before Buying Swolverine POST

Swolverine POST is expensive and shouldn’t be mistaken as a protein powder. Instead, it’s a protein-rich recovery formula with carbohydrates and other ingredients that may help repair your muscles and reduce soreness and fatigue after a workout. But since Swoleverine discloses the amounts of each ingredient in their formula and subjects their supplements to third-party testing, spending more may be worth it if you’re looking for a safe, transparent post-workout supplement that doesn’t contain animal proteins — below, we cover our tips on what to consider before you add this supp to your stack.

Label and Overall Ingredients

Swolverine doesn’t hide what’s in their post-workout supplement. The product is tested by two third-party labs, Lief and Micro Quality, and the quantities of each ingredient are listed on the label. You can clearly see that POST is more than just a protein powder. If you want a full recovery supplement for your post-workout needs, this could be the one. But if you just want to boost your daily protein intake or already take other supplements like electrolyte powders separately, you may want to opt for a plain protein powder instead.

Price

Swolverine POST is more expensive than other supplements. Each container costs around $62.99 and comes with 30 servings. This equals about $2.10 per serving. Many of Swolverine’s other supplements cost about the same, but post-workout formulas we’ve come across from other brands cost anywhere from about $1 to $2 per serving.

It’s important to remember, though, that many other post-workout supplements contain either high amounts of protein or high amounts of carbohydrates, but not both. Swolverine POST offers both protein and carbohydrates, plus electrolytes. Therefore, you can get the benefits of protein powder, carbohydrate powder, and electrolytes in one supplement.

Macronutrients

Swolverine POST has 120 calories, 13 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbohydrates, and one and a half grams of fat per scoop. If you require a high daily carbohydrate and/or protein intake, you may want to consider taking this supplement with another protein powder and carbohydrate powder after your workout. You can also take it alongside a post-workout meal with protein- and carbohydrate-rich foods.

Hydration

To help prevent dehydration after a workout, Swolverine POST contains coconut water and pink Himalayan salt. The addition of the pink Himalayan salt means this supplement is high in sodium, with 380 milligrams per serving. Electrolyte powders can have 1,000 milligrams of sodium per serving, but unless a post-workout recovery formula also contains salt, it will typically have a negligible amount of sodium.

Athletes need more sodium than sedentary individuals. Salt is lost through sweat, and sodium can help keep the body’s fluid levels balanced. Still, the high sodium content is worth pointing out for those who already get a lot of sodium through their diets or like to limit their daily sodium intake.

Flavor and Mixability

Swolverine POST doesn’t contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Instead, it is sweetened with stevia. We found this product to be sweet but not cloying, which is great for those who don’t like a sugary taste in their supplements.

Plant-based supplements can have a gritty texture and earthy taste, but this one has a smooth texture and only a hint of a pea flavor. It mixes well in water and almond milk. Chocolate Peanut Butter is the only flavor available, so you’ll need to consider another post-workout supplement if you want more flavor variety or are allergic to peanuts since peanut flour is used for the flavoring.

Final Word

Swolverine POST can be a solid choice for plant-based eaters or those with dairy allergies who want to maximize their post-workout recovery. While it’s expensive and not very high in either protein or carbohydrates, it can still provide decent amounts of these macronutrients that may be needed for muscle recovery and growth after a workout. 

We also like that it’s verified by Lief and Micro Quality labs to ensure it’s free of banned substances and that Swolverine offers full transparency into the ingredient quantity (rather than including proprietary blends). For those looking for a safe post-workout recovery formula and wanting to know exactly how much of each ingredient they’re consuming, Swolverine POST could be a solid choice.

FAQs

References

1. Wolfe RR. Branched-chain amino acids and muscle protein synthesis in humans: myth or reality? J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017 Aug 22;14:30. doi: 10.1186/s12970-017-0184-9. PMID: 28852372; PMCID: PMC5568273.
2. Kerksick C, Harvey T, Stout J, Campbell B, Wilborn C, Kreider R, Kalman D, Ziegenfuss T, Lopez H, Landis J, Ivy JL, Antonio J. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: nutrient timing. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008 Oct 3;5:17. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-5-17. Erratum in: J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008;5:18. PMID: 18834505; PMCID: PMC2575187.
3. Z. X. Lu, J. F. He, Y. C. Zhang & D. J. Bing (2020) Composition, physicochemical properties of pea protein and its application in functional foods, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 60:15, 2593-2605, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1651248
4. Areta JL, Burke LM, Ross ML, Camera DM, West DW, Broad EM, Jeacocke NA, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Phillips SM, Hawley JA, Coffey VG. Timing and distribution of protein ingestion during prolonged recovery from resistance exercise alters myofibrillar protein synthesis. J Physiol. 2013 May 1;591(9):2319-31. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.244897. Epub 2013 Mar 4. PMID: 23459753; PMCID: PMC3650697.
5. Murray B, Rosenbloom C. Fundamentals of glycogen metabolism for coaches and athletes. Nutr Rev. 2018 Apr 1;76(4):243-259. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuy001. PMID: 29444266; PMCID: PMC6019055.
6. Legault Z, Bagnall N, Kimmerly DS. The Influence of Oral L-Glutamine Supplementation on Muscle Strength Recovery and Soreness Following Unilateral Knee Extension Eccentric Exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2015 Oct;25(5):417-26. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2014-0209. Epub 2015 Mar 26. PMID: 25811544.
7. Shao A, Hathcock JN. Risk assessment for the amino acids taurine, L-glutamine and L-arginine. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Apr;50(3):376-99. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2008.01.004. Epub 2008 Jan 26. PMID: 18325648.
8. Rehrer NJ. Fluid and electrolyte balance in ultra-endurance sport. Sports Med. 2001;31(10):701-15. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200131100-00001. PMID: 11547892.
9. Trombold JR, Reinfeld AS, Casler JR, Coyle EF. The effect of pomegranate juice supplementation on strength and soreness after eccentric exercise. J Strength Cond Res. 2011 Jul;25(7):1782-8. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318220d992. PMID: 21659887.
10. Schweiggert RM, Kopec RE, Villalobos-Gutierrez MG, Högel J, Quesada S, Esquivel P, Schwartz SJ, Carle R. Carotenoids are more bioavailable from papaya than from tomato and carrot in humans: a randomised cross-over study. Br J Nutr. 2014 Feb;111(3):490-8. doi: 10.1017/S0007114513002596. Epub 2013 Aug 12. PMID: 23931131; PMCID: PMC4091614.
11. Machowiec P, Ręka G, Maksymowicz M, Piecewicz-Szczęsna H, Smoleń A. Effect of Spirulina Supplementation on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2021 Aug 31;13(9):3054. doi: 10.3390/nu13093054. PMID: 34578932; PMCID: PMC8468496.
12. Gurney T, Spendiff O. Algae Supplementation for Exercise Performance: Current Perspectives and Future Directions for Spirulina and Chlorella. Front Nutr. 2022 Mar 7;9:865741. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.865741. PMID: 35321288; PMCID: PMC8937016.

The post Swolverine POST Post-Workout Review appeared first on BarBend.

It also includes a prebiotic blend of ingredients that may help keep your gut microbiome healthy and aid digestion, and the all-natural Green Apple Smoothie flavoring is designed to make it taste more like a smoothie from your local juice joint than yard waste. While the ingredients list doesn’t note the specific amounts of each ingredient (thanks to the proprietary blends) or the amounts of vitamins per serving, these perks combined with the affordable cost make KOS Show Me The Greens powder worth a closer look.

Main Takeaways

KOS Show Me the Greens!

KOS Show Me the Greens!

This greens powder features a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics sourced from all-natural and organic superfoods. It's got everything you need to help promote gut health and proper nutrition without any added sugars or artificial flavors all packed in a refreshing Green Apple Smoothie flavor.

Shop Amazon

KOS Show Me The Greens Powder Highlights

KOS’s greens powder is a combination of proprietary blends extracted from whole fruits and vegetables. The main components are a 3.25-gram fruit and veggie blend with powders made from organic lemon juice, kale, cabbage, broccoli, red pepper, and apples. The greens blend is a four-gram mix of wheatgrass juice powder, wheatgrass whole powder, and oat grass powder, all of which are organic as well. A 250mg mix of chlorella and spirulina algae adds a bit of protein, and KOS’s two-gram prebiotic blend of acacia gum and isomalto-oligosaccharide can help promote gut health by providing food for the microflora in your digestive system. 

The Green Apple Sorbet flavor is intended to brighten up the taste without added sugars, thanks to the monk fruit and stevia extracts, and at about $1.10 a serving, KOS’s greens powder is on the lower end of the price range for greens powders. While the nutritional label discloses calories, macronutrients, and some mineral content, there is no information on the vitamin amounts. So if you’re someone who likes to track their nutrients meticulously, this may not be the right option for you.

Who Should Buy KOS Show Me The Greens Powder

• Athletes who are looking for more than just vegetables, since this powder also includes a prebiotic blend that may help aid gut health.
• People who prefer organic, whole food ingredients, as the ingredients in this blend all come from organic fruits and vegetables. 
• Anyone who doesn’t want to empty their bank account for a greens powder. At around $29 for a 28-serving tub, KOS Show Me The Greens powder is one of the more affordable greens powders on the market.

Who Shouldn’t Buy KOS Show Me The Greens Powder

• Anyone who wants to stack supplements. The green apple flavor will be hard to blend with, say, chocolate protein powder. 
• People who would prefer a complete list of nutritional info as KOS doesn’t list the vitamin amounts on its packaging.
• Anyone looking to avoid allergens, since KOS Show Me The Greens is produced in a facility that may also process peanuts, nuts, wheat, and other allergens.

Price and Buying Options

KOS Show Me The Greens powder only comes in one flavor in a 28-serving container. It can be found on Amazon for about $31.04, which breaks down to about $1.10 per serving, making it much more affordable than many greens powders on the market that can cost up to $3 or $4 per serving. Despite its lack of flavor variety, it gets extra credit for achieving its Green Apple Smoothie flavor with monk fruit and stevia instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners. If green apple isn’t your jam though, you may want to go another route. But at this price point for a fully organic greens powder, you may just learn to love it. 

KOS Show Me The Greens Powder Overall

The greens powder from KOS stands out for several reasons, the first of which is its completely organic ingredients list, which can be a plus for athletes who want to stay as natural as possible. Also, the addition of prebiotics gives the powder an edge with its potential to aid gut health, and the Green Apple flavor could be a plus for people who don’t like the taste of plain greens powders. And since its price point is on the lower side, this could be a solid option for those who want to save money without sacrificing quality. 

Formulation

The proprietary blend of 13 ingredients (including spirulina, broccoli, kale, wheatgrass, and a prebiotic blend) is designed to help people add more servings of fruits and vegetables to their diets. The proprietary prebiotic blend includes isomalto-oligosaccharide powder and acacia gum that might help promote gut health. (1) Each serving has 30 calories, one gram of protein, zero grams of fat, and six grams of carbohydrates — only one of which is sugar. But more on these ingredients below.

KOS Organic Algae Superfood Blend

The Organic Algae Superfood Blend is a 250mg mix of organic chlorella (which studies have suggested may improve cholesterol and blood pressure levels), and organic spirulina (which can be an anti-inflammatory agent and immunity booster). (2)(3)

KOS Organic Alkalizing Greens Blend

This 4g blend of organic wheatgrass juice powder, organic wheatgrass powder, and organic oat grass powder, which are all rich in antioxidants and other nutrients, like vitamins A, C, E, and K. (4) 

KOS Organic Fruit and Veggie Blend

The Organic Fruit and Veggie Blend has a 3.25g combination of organic lemon juice powder, organic cabbage powder, organic kale powder, organic broccoli, organic apple, and organic green bell pepper, all of which contain antioxidants and are excellent sources of vitamins as well as minerals, like iron and potassium. (5)

KOS Organic Digestive Prebiotic Blend

The 2g blend is a mix of organic isomalto-oligosaccharide and organic acacia gum, both of which can provide nutrients for the microfauna in your gut microbiome, potentially improving gut health and digestion. (6)

Flavoring

The Green Apple Smoothie flavoring consists of organic apple and mint flavors, organic monk fruit extract, and organic stevia extract. The latter two are both all-natural, low-glycemic sweeteners. 

What To Consider Before Buying KOS Show Me The Greens Powder

There are a few considerations to make before going all in on this product. KOS Show Me The Greens powder is on the less expensive side of the greens powder spectrum, but its use of proprietary blends makes it impossible to know exactly how much of each ingredient you’re getting per scoop. Also, Green Apple Smoothie is the only flavor, which limits your options if you want to mix it with other powders. Users do get all organic ingredients, which may carry some health benefits over non-organic food. (7) But more on all of this below.

Proprietary Blends

KOS Show Me the Greens powder’s ingredients come in the form of proprietary blends. The downside to this is that companies aren’t required to list specific ingredient amounts of proprietary blends, so you can’t be sure of exactly how much of each ingredient is in each serving. If you’re wanting a greens powder with a specific amount of wheatgrass, prebiotics, or chlorella, this product may not be for you. But if you’re just trying to cram as many greens as you can into one glass, KOS has you covered here.

Price

Each container of KOS Show Me The Greens powder has 28 single-scoop servings and will run you about $30, which makes it just over a dollar per serving. With other greens powders costing in the $3 to $4 range, that makes KOS Green Powder a wallet-friendly option, especially when you consider the organic ingredients and prebiotic stack that’s included. You can find cheaper greens powders, but many options under the $1 per serving range will lack features like prebiotics and flavors. Conversely, you can spend more (much more) on greens powders if you’re looking for more features like adaptogens, superfoods, or a full pro- and prebiotic stack.

Flavor

The Green Apple Smoothie flavoring gets points for using zero added sugar and all-natural sweeteners. However, this is the only flavor this product comes in, so if you’re not into Green Apple Smoothie, you’re out of luck here. Also, there’s no unflavored option, so if you want to mix it with any other powders or supplements, you’ll have to do some alchemy to make the flavors work. 

Final Word

While it won’t completely replace your need for fruits and vegetables, KOS Show Me The Greens powder could be a good way to add more plant nutrients to your diet. In addition, the prebiotic blend of isomalto-oligosaccharide and acacia gum may help with digestion and gut health. Some studies on greens powders have also shown cardiovascular benefits like lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. (8) 

Since KOS’s ingredients come in the form of proprietary blends, the specific amounts of each ingredient aren’t listed, which may be a downside for some who are looking for their exact nutrient intake. But the all-organic ingredients, price, and added prebiotics make KOS Show Me The Greens powder worth considering. 

FAQs

References

1. Hsiao-Ling Chen, Yu-Ho Lu, Jiun-Jr Lin, Lie-Yon Ko. (2000)  Effects of isomalto-oligosaccharides on bowel functions and indicators of nutritional status in constipated elderly men. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 20:1, pages 44-49 
2. Tomohiro Bito, Eri Okumura, Masaki Fujishima, and Fumio Watanabe. (2000) Potential of Chlorella as a Dietary Supplement to Promote Human Health. Nutrients 12:9, 2524. 
3. P. D. Karkos, S. C. Leong, C. D. Karkos, N. Sivaji, D. A. Assimakopoulos (2011) Spirulina in Clinical Practice: Evidence-Based Human Applications. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2011: 531053
4. Bar-Sela G, Cohen M, Ben-Arye E, Epelbaum R. The Medical Use of Wheatgrass: Review of the Gap Between Basic and Clinical Applications. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2015;15(12):1002-10. doi: 10.2174/138955751512150731112836. PMID: 26156538.
5. Slavin JL, Lloyd B. Health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Adv Nutr. 2012 Jul 1;3(4):506-16. doi: 10.3945/an.112.002154. PMID: 22797986; PMCID: PMC3649719.
6. Davani-Davari D, Negahdaripour M, Karimzadeh I, Seifan M, Mohkam M, Masoumi SJ, Berenjian A, Ghasemi Y. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019 Mar 9;8(3):92. doi: 10.3390/foods8030092. PMID: 30857316; PMCID: PMC6463098.
7. Vanessa Vigar, Stephen Myers, Christopher Oliver, Jacinta Arellano, Shelley Robinson, Carlo Leifert (2020) A Systematic Review of Organic Versus Conventional Food Consumption: Is There a Measurable Benefit on Human Health? Nutrients 12:1, page 7
8. John Zhang, George Oxinos, John H Maher (2009) The effect of fruit and vegetable powder mix on hypertensive subjects: a pilot study. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 8:3, pages 101–106

The post KOS Greens Powder Review appeared first on BarBend.

LEAN is focused on providing more than just a stacked pre-workout ingredient list with some favorites like beta-alanine — it also contains potential fat-burning ingredients, like chromium and caffeine, which may give you a little extra help in your cutting phase. LEAN is a solid pre-workout supplement that is best suited for individuals who are looking for plenty of active ingredients and an added potential boost when it comes to weight loss.

Main Takeaways

10% Off

Transparent Labs LEAN

Transparent Labs LEAN

Third-party tested and clearly dosed, Transparent Labs LEAN has a huge variety of ingredients for endurance, power, alertness, and focus. Use code BARBEND10 for 10% off.

Shop Transparent Labs

Transparent Labs Lean Pre-Workout Video Review

Get an in-depth look at Transparent Lab’s pre-workout, including a breakdown of the ingredients label, how it tastes, and more.

BarBend’s Nick English gives you the rundown.

Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-Workout Highlights

There are a ton of ingredients in this product. Transparent Labs recommend using half a serving at first to see how you react. Nutrition-wise, a serving has over a day’s worth of iodine, zinc, copper, and chromium, as well as 91 percent of your daily needs for selenium. The formula contains 6,000mg of citrulline malate, which may help increase lean muscle mass when paired with resistance training. (1) You’ll also find a healthy dose of 2,500mg of betaine which may help with protein synthesis and delay age-related muscle loss. (2) You’ll also find 2,500mg of BCAAs and 2,000mg of beta-alanine, the latter of which is a vasodilator and may improve blood flow. 

The formula contains amino acids tyrosine, theanine, and carnitine and 220mg in a total of two different types of caffeine — 180mg of caffeine anhydrous and 40mg of Infinergy — which is two and a half cups of coffee worth of caffeine. It’s rounded out with 500mg of choline bitartrate, 50mg of theobromine, and 5mg of Bioperine, which is a black pepper extract and may help make the other ingredients in this pre-workout more absorbable.

LEAN comes in Sour Peach, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Orange, Cherry Limeade, Sour Grape, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch and Watermelon flavors. It is naturally sweetened with stevia, naturally flavored, and naturally dyed with beta-carotene. This tub comes with 30 servings and each serving costs around $1.65 which is a very reasonable price for a naturally formulated pre-workout supplement.

Who Should Buy Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-workout

• Those who want a pre-workout that is designed with classic pre-workout ingredients, like citrulline and beta-alanine, but who also want potential fat-burning ingredients like chromium and caffeine. 
• Folks on a budget, but unwilling to compromise on quality. This formula contains natural sweeteners, dyes, and flavors, but only costs around $1.65 per serving.
• People who want a plethora of flavors to choose from as this pre-workout comes in nine flavor varieties.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-Workout

• Athletes who aren’t looking for potential fat-burning ingredients in their pre-workout.
• Those who are sensitive to, or avoiding, caffeine may want to find a stimulant-free pre-workout.
• Anyone who prefers a pill or unflavored powder option will have to find a different pre-workout supplement on the market. 

Price & Buying Options

You can pick up 30 servings (that’s a little over a pound) for about $49.99 per tub. This comes out to around $1.65 per serving, which is a pretty fair price for the high quality of this pre-workout, and falls in the middle ground of pre-workout prices as many on the market exceed $2.00 per serving.

Transparent Labs also offers a subscribe and save option that allows you to save 10 percent and receive free shipping on your order. That brings the per-serving price down to about $1.50 per serving, and you can bank on getting your pre-workout in the mail either every 30 days, 45 days, or 60 days, depending on your selection. 

Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-Workout Overall

With so many pre-workout formulas available, it may be hard to decipher why this one stands out among the crowd. This pre-workout comes with a stacked ingredient list. It contains 21 active ingredients, which is a pretty impressive lineup. It also contains clinically effective doses of five ingredients and has well over 100 percent of your daily RDI for four of the five vitamins, while the fifth, selenium, is close at 91 percent.

This formula comes in nine flavor options — Sour Peach, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Orange, Cherry Limeade, Sour Grape, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, and Watermelon — all of which are naturally sweetened with stevia extract and contain no artificial flavoring or dyes. LEAN will cost you around $1.65 per serving and each tub comes with 30 servings. 

Formulation

If you take a peek at LEAN’s ingredient list, it may be hard to decipher what ingredients are helpful for what outcomes unless you’re a supplements expert. The formulation of this pre-workout comes with many fan-favorite ingredients, such as citrulline malate and beta-alanine. There are also some less common, but potentially helpful pre-workout ingredients, like chromium and micronutrients zing, iodine, and selenium. We detail each ingredient below, so you can get a better idea of what you’ll find in this product.

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline malate is a combination of two ingredients, citrulline and malic acid, and may have blood flow and “pump” benefits. It has the potential to help improve resistance training, high-intensity exercise, and recovery as it’s considered a vasodilator. (3) This formula contains 6,000mg, which is a bit under the suggested dose of 8,000mg an hour before a workout. (4)

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Branched-chain amino acids are the three amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are three of the nine essential amino acids. This means they have to be supplemented because the body doesn’t produce them naturally, and they are necessary for healthy function. They are suggested to play an important role in muscle mass regulation and alleviate muscular fatigue during workouts. (5) The clinically effective dose for BCAAs is between two and 10 grams with a ratio of 2:1:1 of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. You can obtain them through food sources (like red meat) or through supplementation. (5)

Beta-Alanine

Beta-Alanine may be an important ingredient for delaying fatigue during workouts, potentially allowing you to push past your normal wall and work for longer during high intensity exercise. (6) The suggested clinical dose of beta-alanine is between 3,200mg and 6,400mg before your workout — although, if you’re not a fan of the tingly feeling beta-alanine may create, it is suggested you break your dose into smaller, more frequent doses. (6) This formula contains 2,000mg per serving, which may leave you feeling less tingly than a higher dose as it is under the recommended effective dose.

Chromium

Chromium is an essential mineral, which may improve insulin levels and decrease binge eating, making it a potentially beneficial ingredient for those who are looking to lose weight. (7) This formula contains 200mcg per serving, which is 571 percent of your recommended daily intake.

Betaine Anhydrous 

Betaine is found in beetroot, which is one of nature’s greatest pre-workout ingredients. Betaine is a vasodilator, which may improve blood flow in the body, and may promote cellular hydration and create resilience to stressors (including intense workouts). (8) The suggested effective dose for betaine for exercise performance is 2,500mg (or two doses of 1,250mg if you have a sensitive stomach as betaine can cause digestive discomfort), and LEAN contains 1,500mg per serving. (8)

Acetyl L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is a nonessential amino acid that may be helpful as an anti-inflammatory, may increase nitric oxide levels, and may aid in fat loss. (9) The suggested dose to unlock these potential benefits is between 500mg and 2,000mg, and LEAN contains 630mg per serving. (9)

Choline Bitartrate

Choline is found in high amounts in egg yolks, and is mostly touted as a cognitive-boosting supplement. Choline turns into acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that can be important for learning. (10) Choline’s most effective dose lies between 250mg and 500mg daily for the general population, but can go as high as 2,000mg for greater potential benefits. (10) LEAN provides 500mg of choline per serving. 

Theanine

Theanine is derived from tea leaves and may be best noted for its potential nootropic effects — cognition-enhancing — and its potential to help you remain relaxed and calm without causing drowsiness — especially when paired with caffeine. (11) The recommended dose for theanine is between 100mg and 200mg, and it’s suggested you pair it with caffeine. (11) This formula contains 360mg of theanine along with 220mg of total caffeine.

Caffeine & Infinergy

Caffeine can be found in a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, or your dark chocolate of choice. Caffeine may keep folks alert, focused, and attentive. Infinergy is a combination of caffeine and malate, which is designed to provide the same stimulant effect as caffeine, but it’s meant to last longer and nix any potential jitters. This formula has 180mg of caffeine, which is equal to two cups of coffee and 80mg of Infinergy, which can be most effective between 300mg and 400mg, but when paired with the extra caffeine, this effective dose may be less. 

Theobromine

Theobromine is derived from the cacao plant and may be beneficial for cellular health, neurological function, and memory. (12) This formula contains 50mg of theobromine per serving, and one study suggested that an intake of 43mg or more may be helpful for cognitive purposes. (13)

Black Pepper Extract 

Black pepper is a common ingredient found in supplements as it may have benefits when it comes to absorption of other ingredients. (14) You’ll find 5mg of black pepper extract in this formula, which is a pretty standard amount across the market.

Transparent Labs Lean Pre-Workout Taste

The Green Apple flavor here tastes like sour apple candy, which could be expected given that the ingredients list includes citric acid, which is pretty tart. We will say that when following Transparent Labs’ suggestion to mix one whole scoop with 1.2 cups of water (10 fluid ounces), it produces a pretty darn sour drink. If you don’t like sour, try mixing it with two cups or trying a less sour flavor option, like Blue Raspberry or Watermelon.

What to Consider Before Buying Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-Workout

There are many things to consider before purchasing a new pre-workout. You may be wondering if this is the right formula to help you conquer your workouts or to help you get a leg up on your next team practice. We expand on some of those thoughts — such as ingredients, price, flavor, and dosages — below. 

Ingredients

This formula contains 21 active ingredients, all of which may benefit cognition, recovery, building muscle, and fighting fatigue. This pre contains a bonus of five added vitamins and minerals, which isn’t super common among pre-workouts. It’s a sneaky way to get some extra micronutrients into your diet. It’s worth noting that this may not be the formula for you if you’re avoiding stimulants as it does contain 220mg of caffeine in total. However, if you are looking for a formula that may be helpful for concentration and focus, this has theanine, caffeine, taurine, tyrosine, and carnitine, which all may be beneficial for focus.

As LEAN is meant to help promote fat loss, it’s also worth noting that chromium and carnitine may be beneficial ingredients in this lineup. If you’re looking to burn fat as a part of your goal, the addition of 571 percent of your RDI of chromium may be helpful, as well as the addition of caffeine. (7) Although there have been many studies done on the importance of caffeine as a fat-burning aid, one study suggested caffeine may be helpful for a reduction in BMI, body fat, and weight loss. (15)

The quality of the ingredients is another consideration. Transparent Labs creates all of its supplements without artificial dyes, colors, sweeteners, or fillers. Ultimately, each person varies in their needs when it comes to pre-workouts. Although this ingredient list is pretty stacked, you’ll want to consider what ingredients may be most beneficial and important for you and the goals you’ve set for yourself. 

Price

Price is always an important part of the decision-making process. This tub of pre-workout contains 30 servings, and each serving costs around $1.65 unless you opt to subscribe and save. The subscribe and save option saves you 10 percent on your purchase and scores you free shipping. This comes out to about $1.50 per serving — but whether or not you opt to subscribe and save, this is a pretty reasonable price point for a stacked pre-workout. Many pre-workouts on the market cost around $2.00 per serving, and while you will be able to find cheaper options on the market, it may be at the loss of quality. 

Flavor

Flavor is more important than it may seem, as the enjoyability of taking your supplement may be the difference between staying consistent or ditching your pre-workout before the gym. This formula comes in Sour Peach, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Orange, Cherry Limeade, Sour Grape, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch and Watermelon flavors. There is no option for unflavored pre-workout here, but we did enjoy the Green Apple flavor and think you will, too, if you like sour pre-workouts. 

Dosages

Although the list above details each ingredient and its most effective dose, dosing may be more or less important person to person. This formula contains five pre-workout ingredients that are at clinically effective doses. When it comes to the included vitamins and minerals, four of the five micronutrients contain 100 percent of your daily RDI. Selenium contains 91 percent of your RDI, but having vitamins and minerals in a pre-workout is usually a bonus no matter what the percentage is. 

If you’re looking for a pre-workout with full clinically effective doses, you may want to look elsewhere. Although it does contain some clinically effective doses, citrulline malate, beta-alanine, and betaine are under the clinically effective doses. But it is worth noting that just because some of these don’t fall into the bracket of clinically effective doses doesn’t mean they won’t be effective at all. 

Final Word

Transparent Labs LEAN Pre-Workout contains 21 active ingredients and may be helpful for endurance, recovery, power, alertness, and focus. The fact that this product contains no artificial sweeteners, dyes or flavors, and comes in at such a reasonable price point makes it an absolute winner in our books. We also love that it comes in nine flavor varieties to help keep you hooked on taking your pre-workout. 

If you’re looking solely at this pre-workout to help burn fat, you may want to opt for a fat-burner rather than a pre-workout. But if you’re wanting a pre-workout that contains some potentially fat-burning ingredients mixed in with pre classics, this may be a great formula for you.

So that’s our takeaway: This may not be the best fat loss product for some people, but it’s a fantastic pre-workout.

FAQS

References

1. Hwang P, Morales Marroquín FE, Gann J, Andre T, McKinley-Barnard S, Kim C, Morita M, Willoughby DS. Eight weeks of resistance training in conjunction with glutathione and L-Citrulline supplementation increases lean mass and has no adverse effects on blood clinical safety markers in resistance-trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018 Jun 27;15(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s12970-018-0235-x. PMID: 29945625; PMCID: PMC6020314.
2. Chen S, Lu XT, He TT, Yishake D, Tan XY, Hou MJ, Luo Y, Long JA, Tang ZH, Zhong RH, Fang AP, Zhu HL. Betaine Delayed Muscle Loss by Attenuating Samtor Complex Inhibition for mTORC1 Signaling Via Increasing SAM Level. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2021 Aug;65(15):e2100157. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.202100157. Epub 2021 Jun 25. PMID: 34061446.
3. Gough LA, Sparks SA, McNaughton LR, Higgins MF, Newbury JW, Trexler E, Faghy MA, Bridge CA. A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021 Dec;121(12):3283-3295. doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04774-6. Epub 2021 Aug 21. PMID: 34417881; PMCID: PMC8571142.
4. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Citrulline health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7th, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/citrulline/ 
5. Examine.com. (2022, November 14). Branched-chain amino acids health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7th, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/branched-chain-amino-acids/#dosage-information 
6. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Beta-alanine health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7th, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/beta-alanine/#dosage-information 
7. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Chromium health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/chromium/ 
8. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Betaine health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7th, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/betaine/ 
9. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). L-carnitine health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/carnitine/ 
10. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Choline health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/choline/ 
11. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Theanine health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/theanine/ 
12. Yoneda M, Sugimoto N, Katakura M, Matsuzaki K, Tanigami H, Yachie A, Ohno-Shosaku T, Shido O. Theobromine up-regulates cerebral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and facilitates motor learning in mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2017 Jan;39:110-116. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2016.10.002. Epub 2016 Oct 8. PMID: 27833051.
13. Theobromine for improved cognitive function? Examine. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://examine.com/summaries/study/1wyG49/ 
14. Fernández-Lázaro D, Mielgo-Ayuso J, Córdova Martínez A, Seco-Calvo J. Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 24;12(6):1886. doi: 10.3390/nu12061886. PMID: 32599787; PMCID: PMC7353321.
15. Tabrizi R, Saneei P, Lankarani KB, Akbari M, Kolahdooz F, Esmaillzadeh A, Nadi-Ravandi S, Mazoochi M, Asemi Z. The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2688-2696. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1507996. Epub 2018 Oct 18. PMID: 30335479.

The post Transparent Labs LEAN Review appeared first on BarBend.

Although there are many supplements available that may help your workout including beta-alanine, creatine, or caffeine, a diverse mix of ingredients like the ones found here in BULK Black may be the key to unlocking your best workout. This pre-workout has some staple ingredients like citrulline and amino acids, but it also contains vitamin B and D, and contains caffeine that equates to almost three and a half cups of coffee. For those who work out and want a potential burst of energy, focus, blood-flow, and possible recovery benefits, look no further than this formula.

Main Takeaways

Transparent Labs BULK Black

Transparent Labs BULK Black

Transparent Labs BULK Black is one of the strongest pre-workout supplements on the market. This product comes in five delicious flavors and has high levels of must-have pre-workout ingredients, like caffeine, citrulline, and beta-alanine.

Shop Transparent Labs

Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Highlights

Transparent Labs BULK Black contains 12 active ingredients, as well as 75mcg of vitamin D, 5mg of vitamin B6, and 250mcg of vitamin B12. These may not seem like high numbers, but at a minimum, these fill 294 percent of your recommended daily intake (RDI). This pre also includes 150mg of sodium and 100mg of potassium, which are important electrolytes that the body needs to stay hydrated, regulate blood pressure, and assist muscle contractions. 

As far as active ingredients go, BULK Black contains a whopping 8,000mg of citrulline, 4,000mg of beta-alanine, 2,500mg of betaine, 1,300mg of taurine, 1,000mg of tyrosine, 300mg of Alpha-GPC, 275mg of caffeine, 200mg of theanine, 50mg of theobromine, 50mg of Astragin, 30mg of Infinenergy, and 3mg of boron. This specific formula is great for those who prefer to work out in the morning and who want a potentially more focus-forward workout.

It comes in Cherry Kiwi, Blue Raspberry, Peach Mango, Sour Gummy, and Black Cherry flavor options, and will cost you just about $2.00 per serving. BULK Black is formulated without any artificial dyes, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, making it a solid choice for people who prefer to avoid artificial ingredients in their supplements. 

Who Should Buy Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout

• Those who want a robust ingredient list for their pre-workout will like the 17 grams of active ingredients, including 8,000mg of citrulline and 4,000mg of beta-alanine in this formula. 
• People who are interested in a formula that doesn’t contain any artificial dyes, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
• Folks who want fun new flavors to choose from will like the four options available here, which include Cherry Kiwi, Sour Gummy, Peach Mango, and Blue Raspberry.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout

• Anyone who is avoiding caffeine will want to find a different formula as this has 305mg of caffeine in total, which is equal to about three and a third cups of coffee. 
• Those who don’t like the taste of stevia as a sweetening agent. 
• Anyone who is shopping for a pre-workout with creatine added to the formula as this one doesn’t contain creatine. 

Price and Buying Options

BULK Black is a limited edition pre-workout and will cost around $59.99 per tub. Each tub of BULK Black contains 30 servings, meaning each serving is around $2.00. If you choose to use Transparent Labs’ subscribe and save method, you can save 10 percent on your purchase, and you can choose if you’d like to receive your subscription every 30, 45 or 60 days. Any subscribe and save option will end up costing you around $1.80 per serving. You will also receive free shipping if you opt to go with subscribe and save. 

Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Overall

Transparent Labs offers many pre-workout formulas, so what makes BULK Black stand out from the others? BULK Black is a limited edition pre-workout from Transparent Labs and, as is true across the board for their supps, is naturally flavored, colored, and sweetened using stevia.

If you’re looking for a pre-workout that is especially high in citrulline, is loaded with caffeine, and includes a solid dose of vitamin B12, this may be the right fit for you compared to Transparent Labs’ other pre-workouts. Compared to their regular BULK pre-workout, BULK Black contains 2,000mg more of citrulline malate, 95mg more of caffeine anhydrous, double the amount of Astragin at 50mg, and an extra 150mcg of vitamin B12.

It contains high dosages and includes 17 grams of active ingredients, including 8,000mg of citrulline malate, which may help boost nitric oxide production and provide better pumps, as well as 4,000mg of beta-alanine, which is best known for potentially providing that tingly pre-workout feeling in your extremities. (1) BULK Black also contains 2,500mg of betaine, which one study suggests may be beneficial for improving strength and performance by up to almost 25 percent. (2) But more on the formula itself below.

Formulation

Transparent Labs BULK Black is a limited edition formula and varies slightly from the traditional BULK pre-workout. Some of the ingredients have higher dosages, while some ingredients that are found in BULK aren’t included in the BULK Black formula. Each ingredient within this lineup serves a pre-workout purpose, but more on that below.

Citrulline Malate

You’ll find citrulline malate in many pre-workout formulas, and this formula has a very high dose at 8,000mg per serving — that’s at the high end of the 6,000mg to 8,000mg doses recommended for a potential boost in sports performance. (4) Citrulline malate has been suggested to increase athletic performance for those who participate in high-intensity anaerobic exercises, and it may be helpful in decreasing delayed onset muscle soreness. (5) Those who work out intensely or experience intense soreness after their lifting sessions may benefit from this high dose of citrulline malate. 

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is most commonly known as the pre-workout ingredient that can leave you feeling tingly (or like your skin is prickling) shortly after you consume it. This formula contains 4,000mg of beta-alanine (a clinically effective dose lies between 3,200mg and 6,400mg per day). (6) Beta-alanine can be an effective ingredient in delaying muscle fatigue, which could allow you to prolong your workout and push further before your body gives up. (7) This may be due to beta-alanine’s potential to create carnosine, which may resist lactic acid build up and delay the fatigue that would normally prevent you from working out for a longer period of time. (8)

Betaine

Betaine is known for its potential to increase strength and power performance by up to 25 percent than placebo. (2) For healthy people (those with absence of disease), a dose between 1,500mg and 3,000mg can be just as effective as higher doses for those who don’t fall under the “healthy” category. This formula contains 2,500mg.

Caffeine

This formula has two types of caffeine — caffeine anhydrous and Infinergy — for a total of 305mg of caffeine (which is equal to almost three and a half cups of coffee). Caffeine can be helpful for potentially providing energy and focus, as well as increasing your attention span. It is worth noting that caffeine can be addictive and lead to dependence, which may have negative effects for some. (9)

Amino Acids

Amino acids are either considered essential, nonessential, or conditionally essential. Your body produces enough of the nonessential amino acid naturally, so you shouldn’t need to supplement them. Conditionally essential amino acids are ones that you only need to supplement with in severe conditions or illnesses, and essential amino acids are required for body function, but aren’t readily produced in the body. This formula contains 1,300mg of taurine, 1,000mg of tyrosine, and 200mg of theanine.

Alpha-GPC

Alpha-GPC is a nootropic, meaning it’s most effective for cognitive function. It can potentially improve focus and vertical jump. It is suggested to take between 300 and 600mg 30 to 60 minutes before a workout in order to reap potential power output benefits. (10) This formula contains 300mg per serving.

Theobromine

Theobromine is a caffeine derivative and may be beneficial for cell survival and neurological function, such as learning and memory. (11) This formula contains 50mg per serving, which is an effective dose as one study suggested intake of 43mg or more can have positive influences on cognition. (12)

What To Consider Before Buying Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout

With so many pre-workouts available on the market, it’s important to consider a few details before deciding if Transparent Labs BULK Black pre-workout is the right choice for you. Taking a good look at the ingredients, price, flavor, and dosages before purchasing can be key.

Ingredients and Formula

When choosing your perfect pre-workout, you’ll want to make sure that the ingredients included in the lineup are in line with your goals and your lifestyle. For example, if you work out late at night or actively avoid caffeine, you may want to opt for an alternative caffeine-free pre-workout. If you’re looking for a pre-workout that includes a robust ingredient list that is meant for better blood flow, focus, and recovery, BULK Black may be a good pre-workout supplement for you. The ingredient list here includes B vitamins and vitamin D, as well as two types of caffeine, and some -pre-workout favorites like beta-alanine, citrulline, betaine, and amino acids. 

If you’re looking for a pre-workout with BCAAs, creatine, or hydrating ingredients, like coconut water or a plethora of electrolytes, this may not be your best bet. The other major point that makes this formula stand out is its lack of artificial ingredients. This formula contains no artificial flavors, dyes, preservatives, or sweeteners, which can be a major bonus compared to others on the market for those who actively avoid all things artificial. The one thing to pay attention to here is that the sweetening agent is stevia, a taste that some may not enjoy.

Price

This limited-edition pre-workout comes in 30-serving size tubs. If you buy as is, you’ll be paying about $60.00, which equates to around $2.00 per serving. If you opt for the subscribe and save option, you’ll end up paying about $1.80 per serving, making it slightly more affordable. Compared to others on the market, this is a pretty fair price considering the dosages, ingredients, and lack of artificial ingredients. If you’re extremely budget-conscious and less worried about clinical doses or artificial ingredients, you can definitely find cheaper options on the market. However, for the quality, this is a very reasonable percentage. 

If you’re wanting to compare prices across the market, we suggest comparing by the price per serving. The way to calculate price per serving is by taking the full price of the supplement and dividing it by the number of servings per container. 

Flavor

Enjoyability can be a major factor when it comes to taking your pre-workout supplement and sticking to a routine. You’re not going to look forward to taking your pre- if it takes like dirt or something that doesn’t suit your preferences. It may make taking your pre-workout a chore rather than a part of your day you look forward to. This formula comes in four delicious flavor options, two of which aren’t available in the regular BULK formula. The two that are available in both BULK and BULK Black are Peach Mango and Blue Raspberry, while the two that are specific to BULK Black are Sour Gummy and Cherry Kiwi. 

Dosages

When buying a pre-workout, you’ll want to assess whether each ingredient is clinically dosed or not. Each ingredient on this label falls within an effective dose range, and something we like about Transparent Labs BULK Black is that each ingredient is specifically dosed. Some other formulas contain proprietary blends of ingredients, which means that they aren’t specifically dosed out and may make the pre-workout less expensive overall. 

Final Word

If you’re looking for a pre-workout with a solid lineup of active ingredients, high doses, delicious flavor choices, and some extra vitamins, Transparent Labs BULK Black pre-workout may be a great choice for you. This formula is limited edition and contains similar ingredients to BULK, but several of the ingredients here come at higher dosages — such as the 8,000mg of citrulline found in Black. Two of the four flavors — Sour Gummy and Cherry Kiwi — are only available in the Black edition, as well.

Transparent Labs is known for their natural ingredient lists that lack artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and sweeteners, and BULK Black is no exception. For those who want a solid pre-workout without compromising on quality, Transparent Labs BULK Black is an exceptional pre-workout choice at a fair price.

FAQs

References

1. Gonzalez AM, Trexler ET. Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Humans: A Review of the Current Literature. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 May;34(5):1480-1495. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003426. PMID: 31977835.
2. Ismaeel A. Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Power: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Aug;31(8):2338-2346. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001959. PMID: 28426517.
3. Wu G. Amino acids: metabolism, functions, and nutrition. Amino Acids. 2009 May;37(1):1-17. doi: 10.1007/s00726-009-0269-0. Epub 2009 Mar 20. PMID: 19301095.
4. Examine.com. (2022, November 14). Branched-chain amino acids health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/branched-chain-amino-acids/#dosage-information 
5. Pérez-Guisado J, Jakeman PM. Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 May;24(5):1215-22. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cb28e0. PMID: 20386132.
6. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Beta-alanine health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/beta-alanine/#dosage-information 
7. Hoffman JR, Emerson NS, Stout JR. β-Alanine supplementation. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2012 Jul-Aug;11(4):189-95. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182604983. PMID: 22777329.
8. Artioli GG, Gualano B, Smith A, Stout J, Lancha AH Jr. Role of beta-alanine supplementation on muscle carnosine and exercise performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Jun;42(6):1162-73. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c74e38. PMID: 20479615.
9. Pardo Lozano R, Alvarez García Y, Barral Tafalla D, Farré Albaladejo M. Cafeína: un nutriente, un fármaco, o una droga de abuso [Caffeine: a nutrient, a drug or a drug of abuse]. Adicciones. 2007;19(3):225-38. Spanish. PMID: 17724925.
10. Examine.com. (2022, September 28). Alpha-GPC Health Benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more: Supplements. Examine. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/ 
11. Yoneda M, Sugimoto N, Katakura M, Matsuzaki K, Tanigami H, Yachie A, Ohno-Shosaku T, Shido O. Theobromine up-regulates cerebral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and facilitates motor learning in mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2017 Jan;39:110-116. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2016.10.002. Epub 2016 Oct 8. PMID: 27833051.
12. Theobromine for improved cognitive function? Examine. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://examine.com/summaries/study/1wyG49/ 

The post Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Review appeared first on BarBend.

Out of the 20 premium ingredients, a few stand out for their exceptional dosing — like citrulline, which is dosed at a whopping 10,000mg (more than double the amount found in normal pre-workouts). Energy won’t be a problem either with 388mg of caffeine and 2,500mg of tyrosine per scoop. This all-in-one pre- and intra-workout formula also provides 3,000mg of creatine monohydrate and 2,000mg of creatine nitrate to equal a full 5,000mg serving of creatine. If basic pre-workouts don’t seem to be cutting it for you, and you potentially want the biggest pumps, most energy, and sharpest mental focus, this is a great product to consider. 

Main Takeaways

Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite

Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite

Pre-Kaged® Elite provides nine patented ingredients with 35 milligrams of vitamin B6 and 1,000 micrograms of vitamin B12 in a single 36-gram scoop. Each serving is 25 calories and includes caffeine, taurine, l-citrulline, beta-alanine, l-tyrosine, and two types of creatine.

Shop Kaged

Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite Highlights

Pre-Kaged Elite shines in a bunch of different areas, but the main ones are ingredient selection, dosing, and completeness. Kaged as a whole does a great job of always selecting patented versions of ingredients when they’re available. This can help to lend extra credibility to the potential benefits of the individual ingredients, as well as the product as a whole.

The patented ingredients are the specific chemical formulations used in research studies, which can be important as even small changes in molecular structure can interfere with the way things interact with our bodies. A perfect example is H2O compared with H2O2. One is water, which you’d have no problem drinking while the other is hydrogen peroxide, which we do not advise ingesting. Similar changes with supplement ingredients can produce the same type of results. 

Kaged did an exceptional job with the dosing of each ingredient in Pre-Kaged Elite. They’ve included particularly large doses of citrulline (10,000mg), caffeine (388mg), beta-alanine (3,200mg), and tyrosine (2,500mg). Pre-Kaged Elite doesn’t leave any ingredient underdosed and provides adequate dosing when an established proper dose is available. Examples include the doses of creatine (5,000mg total), betaine (2,500mg), taurine (2,000mg), alpha gpc (300mg), and huperzine A (10mg). 

Taken as an entire product and looking at the formula as a whole, there isn’t an aspect of potential improvement that this product omits. Pre-Kaged Elite contains ingredients for potential improvement with blood flow, pump, focus, energy, power, hydration, and performance. Many pre-workouts do well to cover one or two of those areas but very few cover them all thoroughly. The only two drawbacks to this product that are worth mentioning are a higher price per serving than common pre-workouts and quite a large serving size — which we cover more in detail later on.

Who Should Buy Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite

• Anyone who wants a strong formula that’s packed with a variety of well-dosed ingredients. This pre covers your bases for a potential boost in energy, blood flow, focus, and power output.
• Those who prefer their pre-workout to contain creatine, so they can take one less supplement each day. 
• Athletes who want a legit pre-workout formula but don’t want to worry about banned substances. This pre is third-party tested and certified by Informed Choice to be free of banned substances.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite

• If you’re sensitive to caffeine, beta-alanine, or stimulants in general then you may want to steer clear of this formula. It’s heavy on stimulants.
• People who don’t want to take a large scoop of pre-workout. Due to the large dosing of ingredients, each scoop of Pre-Kaged Elite is around 35g — about the weight of a scoop of protein powder. 
• Those who prefer to have a ton of flavor options to choose from or are picky with flavors. There are only three flavors to pick from here, unfortunately.

Price and Buying Options

You can purchase Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite directly from Kaged’s website. Each container will provide you with 20 servings and cost around $59.99 for a one-time purchase or $53.99 if you subscribe to regular shipments. That works out to about $2.99 and $2.70 per serving, respectively. 

Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite Overall

This product is designed for those who want the most from their pre-workout in all areas. Its dosing isn’t only high in one area — it shines throughout. From the generous helping of citrulline to a full-sized serving of creatine and a hearty kick of caffeine, Pre-Kaged Elite is a high-voltage pre-workout. If you’re new to pre-workout supplements or sensitive to stimulants, you may want to consider the original Pre-Kaged formula, which is less potent and likely more tolerable for beginners.

For seasoned supplement-takers and those who like a ton of stimulants, this will do the trick. The two major downsides here are the scoop size and the price. This is a premium formula so it comes at a higher cost than many other pre-workouts. To cram in all of the high-dose ingredients, Kaged had to make the serving size about 35g, which is about the same weight as a scoop of protein powder. The instructions say to mix with 10 to 12 ounces of water, though we think more water might be better with that much powder.

Formulation

Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite contains nine patented and 20 premium ingredients to make up their all-in-one pre-workout formula. The major highlights include a massive dose of citrulline, along with large doses of beta-alanine, betaine, and caffeine. You’ll also find solid servings of tyrosine, alpha gpc, and huperzine A to round things out. Plus, you’ll receive a full dosing of creatine, so you don’t have to take that supp separately. But more on all of these ingredients below.

L-Citrulline

L-citrulline, often simply referred to as citrulline, is an amino acid that’s commonly found in pre-workouts and is generally understood to have a vasodilating effect. (1) Essentially, it’s included to help aid in improving blood flow and pumps. 

Each scoop of Pre-Kaged Elite offers a massive dose of 10,000mg of citrulline. For comparison, supplements with “high doses” generally offer between 5,000mg and 8,000mg, whereas normal dosing is often around 2,500mg.

Betaine Anhydrous

Betaine is a compound commonly known to be found in beetroots, which have some potential ergogenic properties for both mind and body. Each scoop of Pre-Kaged Elite will provide you with an average dose of 2,500mg of betaine anhydrous in the trademarked BetaPower form. There are a few potential effects of betaine, such as possible antidepressant qualities, which might aid in your motivation to go to the gym. (2) Aside from that, betaine can also potentially improve power output and aid in body composition. (3)

Creatine

Creatine is likely the most well-researched and widely-known supplement outside of caffeine at this point. It’s been shown to potentially improve muscle power output, enhance endurance, and potentially increase muscle size. (4) A normal dose of creatine is generally 5,000mg depending on the type, and Pre-Kaged Elite contains 3,000mg of creatine monohydrate, as well as 2,000mg of creatine nitrate. The reason for the different types is that creatine nitrate can potentially help improve the bioavailability and uptake of creatine monohydrate while also providing the same benefits as monohydrate. (5)

L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is another amino acid that may help improve focus and energy. Studies have shown that tyrosine can also help to improve stress levels in addition to focus while under physical stress (like when lifting). (6) You’ll find an average dosing of 2,500mg of tyrosine in each serving of Pre-Kaged Elite. 

Alpha GPC

Alpha glycerophosphocholine, also known as alpha gpc, is a precursor to acetylcholine — a neurotransmitter involved primarily in memory and attention. (7) Taking between 300mg and 600mg of alpha gpc can have nootropic effects, such as potential cognitive enhancement and improved focus, as well as improvements in muscle power output. (7) Each scoop of Pre-Kaged Elite provides the minimum effective dose of 300mg, which can serve to help channel the heavy stimulant load into a focused energy you can make better use of at the gym.

Huperzine A 

Huperzine A is included in many pre-workouts as a focus ingredient, but the research is still a bit unsettled as to its effectiveness. (8) Thankfully, the dosage required for potential ergogenic effects is small, so there isn’t any major loss if the ingredient doesn’t seem to work for you. There also haven’t been any studies to date showing any negative side effects, so it’s worth including for the potential help, so long as there are other focus ingredients with more established benefits, and the product isn’t solely relying on huperzine A. This pre includes an average dose, which is only 10mg per scoop.

Caffeine

Caffeine, like creatine, is well-researched, and its ergogenic and nootropic effects are well-supported by the literature. It can help in muscle endurance, muscle strength, anaerobic power, and aerobic endurance — so pretty much every type of exercise. (9) Pre-Kaged Elite contains quite a large dose at 388mg, which is equivalent to about four cups of coffee. Many pre’s only contain about half that dose, so if you’re sensitive to caffeine, proceed with caution. It’s best to start out with half of a scoop to assess your tolerance and go from there.

What To Consider Before Buying Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite

There are several factors to consider before taking any pre-workout. Some of the most important things to think about are the type of exercise you’ll be performing, the price you’re able and willing to pay, and the caffeine content. It’s also worthwhile to consider if the pre-workout comes in a flavor you’ll be able to put down without dreading it.

Type of Exercise

Pre-Kaged Elite is formulated with resistance training enhancement as a focal point. While pre-workouts aren’t absolutely necessary and many people can perform well without them, the ingredients in this one can potentially improve anaerobic performance and endurance, which means you might reap bigger gains. (10) This type of pre-workout wouldn’t be quite as advisable for someone performing a cardio-focused workout because of the high stimulant levels — rather, they might want to seek something solely to aid in blood flow.

Price

Most pre-workouts range from around $1.00 to $2.00 per serving, but the price largely depends on the ingredients list, the dosing of those ingredients, and sometimes the name on the label. To get it out of the way now, Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite is more costly than most other pre-workout supplements, and is at the top end of the “strong pre-workout” spectrum of between $2.00 and $3.00 per serving. 

That said, the ingredients and dosing are much more potent and complete than cheaper options. Each 20-serving container of this stuff will run you around $59.99 ($2.99 per serving) with a one-time purchase, or $53.99 ($2.70 per serving) if you subscribe to regular shipments. If you can’t afford this price point, the market is full of less expensive, yet still potentially effective pre-workout supplements. 

Flavor

No matter how hard they try, many pre-workout supplements still end up tasting vaguely off in a familiar sort of way. Kaged Pre-Kaged Elite contains only one gram of sugar and is naturally flavored with no artificial colorings. Kaged uses sucralose to sweeten this product, and it is available in three flavors — Strawberry Lemonade, Glacier Grape, and Fruit Punch. If you don’t like the taste of sucralose or are looking for more flavor variety, you may be better off opting for a different pre-workout. Some pres offer 10+ flavor options that aren’t sweetened artificially.

Caffeine 

This pre-workout is caffeinated with nearly 400mg of caffeine per serving — double what most common pre-workouts contain. If you’re sensitive to caffeine or not used to taking that much, Kaged recommends starting off with a half scoop first to assess your tolerance, which we wholeheartedly agree with. The last thing you want is to be jittery and unable to focus, or experience negative symptoms of caffeine toxicity (such as anxiety and rapid heart rate). If you work out later in the evening, it may be a good idea to reach for a stim-free pre-workout or one with a lower caffeine content, so you don’t have trouble falling asleep.

Final Word

This is indeed an “elite” version of the original Pre-Kaged formula, and despite the massive scoop size and higher price per serving, it delivers the goods. Looking for a potentially skin-splitting pump? Pre-Kaged Elite has you covered. Want to focus up and feel every rep? Pre-Kaged Elite can also help with that. Need a big kick of energy to leave you feeling amped? Pre-Kaged Elite is packed with caffeine. This pre-workout doesn’t just excel in one area, it’s the total package, and it even offers creatine too. If you’ve got the money for the extra price per serving and don’t mind the larger scoop size, then you’re unlikely to find as complete and potent a pre-workout as this one.

FAQs

References

1. Schwedhelm, E., Maas, R., Freese, R., Jung, D., Lukacs, Z., Jambrecina, A., Spickler, W., Schulze, F., & Böger, R. H. (2008). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of oral L-citrulline and L-arginine: impact on nitric oxide metabolism. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 65(1), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02990.x
2. Di Pierro, F., Orsi, R., & Settembre, R. (2015). Role of betaine in improving the antidepressant effect of S-adenosyl-methionine in patients with mild-to-moderate depression. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 8, 39–45. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S77766
3. Cholewa, J. M., Wyszczelska-Rokiel, M., Glowacki, R., Jakubowski, H., Matthews, T., Wood, R., Craig, S. A., & Paolone, V. (2013). Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-10-39
4. Hall, M., & Trojian, T. H. (2013). Creatine supplementation. Current sports medicine reports, 12(4), 240–244. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0b013e31829cdff2
5. Peeling, P., Binnie, M. J., Goods, P. S. R., Sim, M., & Burke, L. M. (2018). Evidence-Based Supplements for the Enhancement of Athletic Performance. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 28(2), 178–187. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0343
6. Deijen, J. B., Wientjes, C. J., Vullinghs, H. F., Cloin, P. A., & Langefeld, J. J. (1999). Tyrosine improves cognitive performance and reduces blood pressure in cadets after one week of a combat training course. Brain research bulletin, 48(2), 203–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0361-9230(98)00163-4
7. Pérez-Guisado J, Jakeman PM. Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 May;24(5):1215-22. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cb28e0. PMID: 20386132.
8. Tun, M. K., & Herzon, S. B. (2012). The pharmacology and therapeutic potential of (-)-huperzine A. Journal of experimental pharmacology, 4, 113–123. https://doi.org/10.2147/JEP.S27084
9. Grgic, J., Grgic, I., Pickering, C., Schoenfeld, B. J., Bishop, D. J., & Pedisic, Z. (2020). Wake up and smell the coffee: caffeine supplementation and exercise performance-an umbrella review of 21 published meta-analyses. British journal of sports medicine, 54(11), 681–688. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-100278
10. Martinez, N., Campbell, B., Franek, M., Buchanan, L., & Colquhoun, R. (2016). The effect of acute pre-workout supplementation on power and strength performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 13, 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0138-7
11. Harty, P. S., Zabriskie, H. A., Erickson, J. L., Molling, P. E., Kerksick, C. M., & Jagim, A. R. (2018). Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0247-6

The post Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged Elite Pre-Workout Review appeared first on BarBend.

According to Raw, Bumstead “personally designed” the flavor options—which include 3 Peat and Rocket Candy, our two favorites. But there’s more to Thavage than great taste – it also has an impressive ingredient list. We can’t guarantee you’ll win any Mr. Olympia titles if you take this pre-workout, but you just might be able to power through an extra drop set or even hit a new PR. We think CBUM Thavage is a solid option for non-collegiate weightlifters seeking an extra energy and focus boost for their pump, but it may not fare well with more stimulant-sensitive athletes. 

Main Takeaways

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout

CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout

This potent pre-workout designed by Chris Bumstead in partnership with Raw Nutrition has all the ingredients you need for a savage, er, thavage workout. With five flavors to choose from providing 3,000mg of citrulline, 1,250mg of betaine, and 150mg of total caffeine per scoop, this supplement can easily become your new favorite pre.

Shop Amazon

CBUM Thavage Highlights

CBUM Thavage shines in three main areas. The first is flavor. In no particular order, the flavors are Peach Bum, Green Crush, Blackberry Lemonade, 3 Peat, and Rocket Candy. The second area is energy and mental focus. With generous doses of L-citrulline (3,000mg per serving), betaine anhydrous (1,250mg per serving), L-tyrosine (1,000mg per serving), alpha GPC (200mg per serving), and huperzine A (50mcg per serving), this pre-workout may help serious athletes conquer mental blocks, commit to grueling workouts, and stay focused deep into long sets. We can’t forget the caffeine content, either. One scoop of Thavage delivers 130mg of caffeine anhydrous, or about the same as a small cup of coffee. The last area is endurance and pump. Thanks to the L-citrulline and betaine anhydrous, CBUM Thavage may help promote blood flow and reduce muscular fatigue, allowing athletes to perform at a higher capacity for longer. 

Thavage is by no means the perfect pre-workout for everyone, though. While some may appreciate its stimulating effects, others may find the caffeine content overwhelming, especially double-scoopers. With 260mg of caffeine in two scoops, athletes who prefer to work out at night may find that Thavage negatively affects their sleep schedule. Similarly, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) places one of Thavage’s ingredients, bitter orange (also known as synephrine) on its banned substances list due to its stimulant properties. 

While Raw Nutrition doesn’t promote it as a main ingredient, we have to give an honorable mention to the hefty dose of beta-alanine (1,600mg/serving). Word on the street is that Bumstead loves the tingles, and hey, we do, too.

Who Should Buy CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout

• Athletes who value flavor variety will enjoy the range of options here. Thavage’s five flavors are Peach Bum, Green Crush, Blackberry Lemonade, 3 Peat, and Rocket Candy. If you like this formulation but hate drinking the same flavor over and over, there will likely be more than one flavor you’ll enjoy. 
• Anyone looking for a solid pump and potential endurance edge will appreciate the 3,000mg per serving of L-citrulline in this formula. 
• Those who want a stimulant boost to get them motivated and in the zone before hitting the weights will be pleased with the mix of potential alertness-enhancers in this product, including 130mg of caffeine, 50mg of bitter orange, and 1,000mg of L-tyrosine per scoop.

Who Shouldn’t Buy CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout

• Some may find that this pre-workout is slightly underdosed when it comes to certain ingredients. For instance, many prefer doses up to 600mg of alpha GPC, but you’ll only get 400mg with two scoops of Thavage (and only 200mg if you take a single scoop). 
• You won’t find any creatine in this product, so if that’s a must-have, we recommend you check out some other creatine supplements. 
• People looking for glycerol will be disappointed by its absence in CBUM Thavage. 
• College athletes competing in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) events should also stay away from Thavage. It contains bitter orange (also known as synephrine), which is a banned substance.

Price and Buying Options

You can buy CBUM Thavage directly from the Raw Nutrition website for around $49.99 a container (about $1.25 per serving) or by clicking the link above. The company also offers a payment plan, so you can pay in four interest-free installments of $12.50. The serving size is one scoop (13.4g), and there are 40 servings per container. More experienced supplement-takers may prefer to take two scoops (26.8g) before their workout, so if you fall into that category, you’ll only get 20 servings per container. Overall, we find $49.99, or about $1.25 per serving, to be a fair price for these ingredients at these doses.

CBUM Thavage Overall

CBUM Thavage is well-rounded and offers enough high-quality ingredients to be a daily driver. However, one serving does contain 130mg of caffeine anhydrous, so if you’re trying to cut back or you’re prone to coffee jitters, you may want to stay away. That said, the formulation contains ingredients like L-citrulline and betaine anhydrous, which may help athletes increase their endurance and produce more power. And at only about $1.25 per scoop, we find Thavage a good bang for your buck. If you’re new to pre-workouts, we recommend starting with one scoop or even a half scoop about 30 minutes before you hit the gym. More experienced users will likely benefit from a double scoop.

Formulation

While CBUM Thavage contains 15 active ingredients and vitamins C, B6, B12, and potassium, we want to highlight the five ingredients that we believe are most important. These are L-citrulline, betaine anhydrous, L-tyrosine, alpha GPC, and huperzine. When taken before a workout, these may help support both the body and mind. How? Let’s get into it below. 

L-Citrulline

L-citrulline is an amino acid that may offer a number of benefits when taken as a pre-workout supplement. Studies have shown that L-citrulline can help increase the amount of arginine in the bloodstream, which can lead to improved vasodilation (1). Scientific jargon aside, this means L-citrulline offers the potential for a better pump and better blood flow, especially during repetitive workouts. 

One scoop of this pre-workout offers a 3,000mg dose while two scoops will land you at 6,000mg. Other supplements offer doses upwards of 8,000mg, so if you prefer a high dose, you can always top off your scoops with some pure L-citrulline. 

Betaine Anhydrous

In one scoop of Thavage, you’ll get 1,250mg of betaine anhydrous. Two scoops will give you 2,500mg. This ingredient has the potential for multiple beneficial effects. One study has suggested that betaine can enhance the antidepressant effects of S-adenosyl-methionine in those who suffer from “mild to moderate depression,” which could go a long way in helping you get out of a slump and back in the gym (2). On the physical side, other studies have suggested that consistent supplementation of betaine can lead to “improved body composition, arm size,” and even “improve power” (3).

L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is another amino acid that may help improve focus. One study suggested that supplementing with L-tyrosine can “reduce the effects of stress and fatigue on cognitive task performance” in scenarios with heightened physical stress (4). If you’re going hard in the gym and putting your muscles through a rigorous workout, that certainly counts as physical stress. A full scoop will provide you with 1,000mg, and two scoops will provide you with 2,000mg. 

Alpha GPC

Alpha GPC is a versatile ingredient that can potentially provide nootropic and ergogenic benefits. Many in the bodybuilding community turn to alpha GPC when they want to improve their focus, and, in 2021, researchers found that alpha GPC can increase motivation in healthy individuals with no apparent adverse side effects (5). Additionally, a study from 2015 found that it can have beneficial effects on “lower body force production,” even after less than a week of supplementing (6). One scoop of Thavage has 200mg and two scoops have 400mg. 

Huperzine A 

While huperzine A is marketed as a focus booster, the research is mixed. Some studies have suggested that supplementing with this ingredient can potentially protect neurons from damage (7), while others suggest that it “does not enhance cognitive function during exercise” (8). The jury is still out on the effectiveness of huperzine A, but you can still get 50mcg from one scoop of Thavage and 100mcg from two scoops. At the very least, there haven’t been any studies to our knowledge showing any detrimental effects, so here’s to hoping! 

What To Consider Before Buying CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout

There are several factors to consider before taking any pre-workout. These include the type of exercise you’ll be performing, price, flavor, your level of experience taking supplements, and caffeine content. If you are new to pre-workouts, we recommend consulting a doctor before starting a new pre-workout regimen. As for this pre-workout, we cover what we think are the most important considerations below.

Type of Exercise

CBUM Thavage is geared toward athletes engaging in resistance exercise, so those lifting weights and doing other resistance training may see the most benefits from this product. Is taking a pre-workout like Thavage necessary? No. However, at least one study has shown that taking pre-workouts before strength training can improve “anaerobic peak and mean power values,” and those containing caffeine, like Thavage, “may improve anaerobic power performance” (9). 

Price

One container of CBUM Thavage will run you around $49.99. That includes 40 single-scoop servings, so each scoop will cost approximately $1.25. We believe that’s a fair price for Thavage’s formulation. More experienced lifters may prefer to take two scoops before working out, which comes out to about $2.50 per two-scoop serving. If you fall into that category, it might be a good idea to stock up on a couple of containers at once.

Flavor

One of the toughest areas for supplements to shine is in the flavor department. We’re all familiar with the “grin and bear it” taste of many pre-workouts on the market, and we generally like to avoid that. Luckily, we found Thavage’s variety of flavors to be neutral at worst and enjoyable at best. This pre-workout comes in five flavors: Peach Bum, Green Crush, Blackberry Lemonade, 3 Peat, and Rocket Candy. Of these, 3 Peat and Rocket Candy are the top two crowd-pleasers, but you’ll have to decide for yourself. 

To sweeten the product, Thavage uses two main sugar substitutes: sucralose and acesulfame. Though numerous studies and government agencies have confirmed the safety of these artificial sweeteners, scientists believe more large-scale research is necessary to fully understand the implications of long-term ingestion (10). The flavors come from a combination of natural and artificial sources and were designed by Bumstead, himself. 

Caffeine 

CBUM Thavage is a caffeinated pre-workout, with 130mg of caffeine per serving. While this may improve the alertness and focus of some, it can leave others with a crash after it wears off. Some individuals are more sensitive to its stimulant effects, too, and the last place you want to get the jitters is underneath a rack of plates. If you like to work out at night, the caffeine content may leave you unable to fall asleep after you complete your exercise, so consider your level of caffeine tolerance carefully before buying this pre-workout. 

Final Word

Is Thavage a product worthy of the Chris Bumstead name? We think so. It offers a respectable range of ingredients at a fair price, and the flavors range from decent to legitimately tasty. The big hitters for this pre-workout are L-citrulline, betaine anhydrous, L-tyrosine, alpha GPC, and huperzine A. If you’re always chasing a better pump and want some extra energy to crush your most difficult workouts, then the L-citrulline and L-tyrosine in this pre-workout may create an ideal formula to help support your goals. Likewise, if you’ve been searching for ways to improve your mind-muscle connection, the betaine anhydrous, alpha GPC, and huperzine A in Thavage may be the potential focus-enhancing combination you didn’t know you needed. 

FAQs

References

1. Schwedhelm, E., Maas, R., Freese, R., Jung, D., Lukacs, Z., Jambrecina, A., Spickler, W., Schulze, F., & Böger, R. H. (2008). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of oral L-citrulline and L-arginine: impact on nitric oxide metabolism. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 65(1), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02990.x
2. Di Pierro, F., Orsi, R., & Settembre, R. (2015). Role of betaine in improving the antidepressant effect of S-adenosyl-methionine in patients with mild-to-moderate depression. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 8, 39–45. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S77766
3. Cholewa, J. M., Wyszczelska-Rokiel, M., Glowacki, R., Jakubowski, H., Matthews, T., Wood, R., Craig, S. A., & Paolone, V. (2013). Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-10-39
4. Deijen, J. B., Wientjes, C. J., Vullinghs, H. F., Cloin, P. A., & Langefeld, J. J. (1999). Tyrosine improves cognitive performance and reduces blood pressure in cadets after one week of a combat training course. Brain research bulletin, 48(2), 203–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0361-9230(98)00163-4
5. Tamura, Y., Takata, K., Matsubara, K., & Kataoka, Y. (2021). Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Increases Motivation in Healthy Volunteers: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Human Study. Nutrients, 13(6), 2091. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13062091
6. Bellar, D., LeBlanc, N. R., & Campbell, B. (2015). The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0103-x
7. Qian, Z. M., & Ke, Y. (2014). Huperzine A: Is it an Effective Disease-Modifying Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease?. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 6, 216. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00216
8. Wessinger, C. M., Inman, C. L., Weinstock, J., & Weiss, E. P. (2021). Effect of Huperzine A on Cognitive Function and Perception of Effort during Exercise: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Trial. International journal of exercise science, 14(2), 727–741.
9. Martinez, N., Campbell, B., Franek, M., Buchanan, L., & Colquhoun, R. (2016). The effect of acute pre-workout supplementation on power and strength performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 13, 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0138-7
10. Tandel K. R. (2011). Sugar substitutes: Health controversy over perceived benefits. Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics, 2(4), 236–243. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-500X.85936
11. Harty, P. S., Zabriskie, H. A., Erickson, J. L., Molling, P. E., Kerksick, C. M., & Jagim, A. R. (2018). Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0247-6

The post CBUM Thavage Pre-Workout Review appeared first on BarBend.