Citrulline: The Pump Ingredient Explained

Scroll through any pre-workout ingredients list and you'll see citrulline. It's THE pump ingredient. But what does it do?

What is citrulline?

A non-essential amino acid that converts to arginine, then nitric oxide. Nitric oxide widens your blood vessels = more blood to muscles = better pump.

Why citrulline over arginine?

Arginine has poor absorption. Citrulline gets through and actually gives higher arginine levels than taking arginine directly.

How much do you need?

• L-Citrulline: 3-6g
• Citrulline Malate (2:1): 6-8g

Under 3g = not enough.

Does it work?

Yes: better pump, slightly more reps, reduced soreness. Not a miracle, but measurable.

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