This 100% grass-fed whey protein isolate is an excellent choice for those who want a purified protein option with minimal fats and lactose. It contains 25 grams of protein per serving, only costs $1.33 per serving, and has no fillers, dyes, or additives. While Jacked Factory’s products are not third-party tested, their commitment to transparency and clean ingredients is obvious, which is why we keep coming back to the brand. Read on for our full breakdown of Jacked Factory Authentic ISO.

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 use as 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.

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO

Dig into this easily digesting grass-fed whey isolate that provides 25 grams of protein with each lean 110 calorie scoop. It comes in three tasty flavors at a cost-effective price making it a solid choice for nearly anyone.

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Main Takeaways

• Compared to other protein powders, Jacked Factory is a good value for your money with a relatively low price per serving for a whey isolate product. However, it’s at a more premium price point than generalized whey protein.
• While the product isn’t third-party tested like many other options, the company formulates products with simple ingredients with no fillers, dyes, preservatives, or additives. The company prides itself on transparent labels.
• With many flavors available, it’s easy to find a Jacked Factory protein supplement that fits your taste preferences.

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Highlights

Jacked Factory’s Authentic ISO Grass-Fed Whey Protein offers a promising balance of protein content and calorie efficiency, making it a noteworthy option for individuals conscious of their macronutrient intake. With 25 grams of protein and only 110 calories per serving, it provides a substantial protein boost without excess calories, ideal for those prioritizing lean muscle gain or weight management.

For $1.33 per serving, it stands out as a budget-friendly choice compared to many other protein supplements on the market. This affordability makes it accessible to a wider range of consumers, especially those looking for a cost-effective way to incorporate high-quality protein into their diet.

Moreover, its availability in nine different flavors, including an unflavored option, adds versatility to its usage. This variety not only caters to different taste preferences but also allows for creative experimentation in recipes, whether it’s adding protein to baked goods or blending it into smoothies.

However, it’s worth noting that while the product boasts clean ingredients, the lack of third-party testing may raise questions about its quality and purity. For some consumers, this may be a crucial factor in their decision-making process, especially those who prioritize transparency and rigorous quality control in the supplements they consume.

Overall, Jacked Factory’s whey protein supplement offers a practical solution for individuals seeking an efficient and affordable way to increase their protein intake. Its commendable protein-to-calorie ratio, coupled with its variety of flavors and accessible price point, makes it a viable option for those looking to support their fitness goals or maintain a balanced diet. Yet, potential buyers should consider factors like third-party testing to ensure the product aligns with their personal standards and preferences.

Using Jacked Factory Authentic ISO

Overall, Jacked Factory’s whey protein isolate has a highly rated taste and mixes well in either milk or water in a shaker. The formulation contains simple ingredients without any of the fillers that many other protein powders have. 

Regardless of your training and aesthetic goals, protein offers many health benefits – it helps you build and repair muscle after workouts.

Taste and Solubility

It’s hard to find a great tasting protein, but this whey protein powder has an overall 4.7-star rating according to the Jacked Factory website, based on 132 reviews from consumers who have tried it. Many of the consumer reviews note that it is delicious.

Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, tested this product and noted it fares pretty well with both water and milk but would recommend mixing with milk: “I used the vanilla Jacked Factory Authentic ISO with both water and milk. I would recommend using it with milk because the taste and texture were better, but it’s still pretty good with just water alone.” It scores a 4 out of 5.

As far as solubility, Capritto noted that it’s not perfectly soluble, but does a decent enough job to drink it without issues: “Even in a shaker cup, this mixes well. You’ll still have a little bit of floaters, so it doesn’t mix perfectly if you are looking to just put it in a shaker cup and have it at the gym. But it’s still mixed well enough to drink.” As a result, we scored it a 4 out of 5.

Formulation

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate scored 4.5 out of 5 overall based on our testing. It has simple ingredients with 25 grams of protein and is low-carb. The only downside of the formulation is that it contains stevia extract, which can often give a bitter aftertaste to some individuals. It also contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener that some athletes may prefer to avoid or limit.

The formula has five simple ingredients: grass-fed whey protein isolate, natural and artificial flavors, Himalayan rock salt, and natural and artificial sweeteners (sucralose, stevia extract).

The primary ingredient is 100% grass-fed whey isolate. Whey isolate undergoes further processing compared to standard whey protein. This process removes more fats, carbohydrates, and lactose – and, therefore, “isolates” the whey. This results in a product with a higher whey protein concentrate (usually around 90% or higher) and minimal lactose content. Whey isolate tends to be more nutrient-dense than whey protein, making it a popular choice among athletes with lactose intolerance or those seeking higher protein content per serving.

Unlike some other options, Jacked Factory Authentic Whey does not contain unnecessary fillers and additives. It’s also free of soy, lactose, and dyes. Due to its clean ingredients, many consumer reviews note that it does not cause bloating like other protein powders.

Benefits of Taking Jacked Factory Authentic ISO

Protein is a vital macronutrient composed of amino acids including essential amino acids. These building blocks of protein play an essential role in muscle building and repairing, producing enzymes and hormones, hormone synthesis, and supporting a healthy immune system. 

While an adequate protein intake is helpful for general health and wellness, taking a protein supplement is particularly important for athletes looking to build and maintain lean muscle mass, engaging in regular intense physical activity, bulking or seeking muscle growth, or aiming for best protein powder for weight loss. (1) Incorporating protein into your diet also helps promote a feeling of fullness and satiety. (2)

Remember that supplements such as protein powders and protein bars should supplement, not replace a balanced diet. When possible, athletes should aim to meet their protein intake from various protein sources as they provide a wider range of essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, that are beneficial to meeting your nutrient needs.

What to Consider Before Buying the Jacked Factory Authentic ISO

When considering what protein powder to choose, it’s important to consider the flavors available, price per serving, and whether the product is third-party tested.

Your protein needs may also vary depending on your activity level, gender, dietary preferences, and allergies. For individualized needs, you may want to check out the specific roundups of protein powders for men.

Flavors

Unlike many other popular products that only come in chocolate or vanilla, Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Whey Protein Isolate comes in the nine flavors:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Milk Chocolate 
• Cookies & Cream
• Blueberry Muffin
• Cinnamon French Toast
• Unflavored
• Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie
• Vanilla
• Peanut Butter

For those who like to bake, cook, or add protein to their favorite foods like Greek yogurt or oatmeal, the unflavored version is an excellent choice. Other flavors blend easily into smoothies or mix with milk or dairy alternatives for a decadent, post-workout protein shake.

Price Per Serving

Price per serving is one of the many factors people consider when choosing a protein powder. Jacked Factory Authentic Whey costs $39.99 for a 30-serving tub. This means that the price per serving is $1.33. Each serving contains 25 grams of 100% grass-fed, whey protein isolate.

Jacked Factory is more expensive than conventional whey protein, but this dietary supplement is a premium product since it’s whey isolate and 100% grass-fed.

Third-Party Testing

Third-party testing is important for protein powder because it provides testing and evaluation that is independent of the company that makes the product – this ensures that the product is of high quality, purity, and safety while confirming the contents of the product.

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO vs. The Competition

There are many popular whey and whey isolate protein products including Transparent Labs, Legion Whey, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey, and Xwerks Grow Whey Protein. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve reviewed some of the factors people consider when choosing a protein supplement.

Looking at the comparison chart, Transparent Labs has higher protein per serving than Jacked Factory and is third-party tested, it’s also more expensive per serving. Legion Whey offers more flavors than Jacked Factory and Transparent Labs and is tested by Labdoor, a reputable third-party agency, but contains fillers in the formulation, contains less protein than Jacked Factory and Transparent Labs, and is more expensive than Jacked Factory.

Places to Buy Jacked Factory Authentic ISO

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO is available online on their branded website www.jackedfactory.com and Amazon. It is also available in-store and online at The Vitamin Shoppe.

Customer Experience

Jacked Factory offers a 100% hassle-free money-back guarantee on all their products, minus any costs for shipping and handling, as long as you return the product to them within 30 days of purchase. You can try the product, then if it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can return it. 

They also offer a subscribe and save option for 15% off and free shipping on all subsequent orders. If you’re located in the United States, your product will arrive within three to five business days from Carol Stream, Illinois. 

Company Information

Jacked Factory was founded in 2015. They believe supplements should contain ingredients with no artificial flavors or dyes and promote total label transparency.  Their motto is about never settling for “good enough” and acknowledging that work is ongoing—similar to how fitness buffs are always striving to better themselves. 

They often back reputable IFBB Pro bodybuilding and fitness professionals like Chris Bumstead (Cbum) and Bhuwan Chauhan.

In addition to protein powder, Jacked Factory also offers a portfolio of supplements: creatine, pre-workout, fat burners, BCAAs, L-glutamine, and greens powders.

You can reach the customer support team at support@jackedfactory.com or (1-877-250-5237). They also offer a live chat option and a contact form on their website.

Final Word

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO whey isolate is a cost-effective, delicious, and clean protein powder option for those who prefer a purified and lactose-free protein. It comes in many flavors and can be mixed in milk or water in a shaker cup, wherever you need a protein shake.

Although it’s not third-party tested through an independent agency, it contains high-quality ingredients with no fillers, preservatives, or additives. The company stands behind transparent labels and doesn’t skimp on the protein content per serving. It’s worth trying out.

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO FAQs

References

1. Hulmi, J. J., Lockwood, C. M., & Stout, J. R. (2010). Effect of protein/essential amino acids and resistance training on skeletal muscle hypertrophy: A case for whey protein. Nutrition & Metabolism, 7(1), 1-11.
2. Dhillon, J., Bruce A. Craig, B. A., Leidy, H. J., Amankwaah, A. F., Anguah, K. O., Jacobs, A., Jones, B. L., Jones, J. B., Keeler, C. L., Keller, C. E. M., McCrory, M. A., Rivera, R. L., Slebodnik, M., Mattes, R. D., Tucker, R. M. (2016). The Effects of Increased Protein Intake on Fullness: A Meta-Analysis and Its Limitations. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(6), 968-83

The post Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Review (2024): A Modern Update on the Traditional Protein Powder appeared first on BarBend.

Researchers have uncovered an interesting link between dolphins and humans, finding that we are prone to many of the same metabolic conditions. The distinct discovery got scientists digging a little deeper, and they found that some saturated fatty acids may benefit various aspects of health. In fact, they discovered the first essential fatty acid in over 90 years, and fatty15 was born. But does it make the list of best supplements on the market? We think this supplement is a great option for customers seeking a fish oil that doesn’t taste bad, but has all the same benefits of fatty acids normally found in fish oils.

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 use as 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.

Fatty15

Fatty15

Fatty15 is the world's first, and only science-backed, patented, award-winning C15:0 supplement that supports your long-term health & wellness.

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Main Takeaways

• Fatty15 is made with pentadecanoic acid, an essential odd-chain saturated fatty acid.
• Research is limited, but fatty15 provides 100 milligrams of pentadecanoic acid, which is on the low end of what studies have shown effective. 
• The price per serving is higher than your average fatty acid supplement.

Fatty15 Highlights

Fatty15 is the world’s first C15:0 supplement to hit the market. It claims to support your overall wellness by protecting your cellular health from age-related breakdown, and the science-backed research is intriguing. Studies have likened C15:0 to omega-3 fatty acids and their role in regulating the immune system. However, unlike omega-3s, you aren’t smacked in the face with a fishy-smelling supplement when opening a bottle of fatty15.

Fatty15 comes in relatively small capsules, each containing 100 milligrams of the pure, patented form of pentadecanoic acid (FA15). Its founders promote fatty15 as an easy-to-digest supplement that promotes wellness, metabolism, deeper sleep, immune health, heart health, and long-term health benefits. 

Co-founders Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson and Dr. Eric Venn-Watson of Seraphina Therapeutics relied on their professional experiences to develop fatty15, and they don’t shy away from transparency. Every batch of FA15 used in fatty15 is third-party tested for purity. Plus, fatty15 comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time buyers. 

[Related: Why Omega-3s Are Extra Helpful for Strength Athletes]

Using Fatty15

Back in 2015, a team of researchers, including one of fatty15’s co-founders, Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, made some interesting discoveries when they compared the diets of California and Florida dolphin populations. (1) The dolphins with lower levels of saturated fatty acid C17:0 in their systems were more prone to elevated insulin, triglycerides, glucose, and ferritin–all markers of metabolic syndrome. 

Years later, researchers went on to discover that dolphins who were fed a fish diet rich in pentadecanoic acid or C15:0 experienced improved insulin, cholesterol, and anemia. Higher levels of this essential odd-chain saturated fatty acid were linked to lower risks of chronic metabolic conditions in dolphins on a cellular level. (2) Since humans are also affected by these metabolic conditions, scientists wondered if saturated fatty acids could actually have a place in a well-balanced diet.

Fatty15, made with a patented form of pentadecanoic acid, is a daily fatty acid supplement that is said to promote healthy metabolism, balanced immunity, better sleep quality, heart health, and a clamer mood. While pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) is found in trace amounts in dairy fat and some fish and plant-based sources, fatty15 covers your bases by providing the low end of your recommended daily intake.

Ingredients

Fatty15 contains just one ingredient, a patented form of the saturated fatty acid pentadecanoic acid called FA15. Health initiatives have advised against saturated fats for years. But, as it turns out, not all saturated fats are made the same and pentadecanoic acid may actually offer some health benefits. 

Pentadecanoic acid has been shown to target longevity pathways linked to metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and nonalcoholic liver disease. (3) Since research shows that our bodies don’t produce enough of this fatty acid to support its role in physiological health, we’re seeing a heightened focus on C15:0 supplementation.(5)

To harness the powers of pentadecanoic acid or C15:0, researchers set out to create a vegan-friendly version of the fatty acid typically found in dairy products and some fish. Thus, FA15 was born. FA15 is a pure powder form of pentadecanoic acid manufactured from scratch, and it’s the only ingredient in fatty15. Plus, fatty15 is also lactose- and gluten-free and made without preservatives, fillers, oils, dairy, allergens, or artificial colors. 

Who Needs Fatty15?

While the body can synthesize pentadecanoic acid in small amounts, research suggests that supplementation may benefit certain groups. Thanks to its purported roles in mitochondrial function, pentadecanoic acid, or C15:0, has become a focus for many bodybuilders and other athletes. It’s an odd-chain fatty acid that can be shortened to support mitochondrial energy metabolism, which helps the body deal with times when we need more energy–AKA stressful workouts.(4)

Fatty15 is also marketed towards those who want to support their metabolic health by slowing the age-related breakdown of our cells. Where we once frowned upon saturated fats and their impact on our overall health, we now explore the unique and potentially beneficial mechanisms that pentadecanoic acid offers to healthy aging. Still, while research continues to roll out, it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting this saturated fatty acid supplement. 

Dosing

Fatty15 is formulated as a daily supplement to be taken any time of the day, with or without food. Each capsule provides 100 milligrams of synthetically made pentadecanoic acid in the patented form of FA15. The 100 milligrams per capsule appears to be a conservative dose, as current research shows that 100-300 milligrams daily can maintain effective levels of pentadecanoic acid in the bloodstream. (3)

Cost

Fatty15 is a little more expensive than your average omega-3 fatty acid or fish oil supplement, which might be surprising since it only contains one ingredient. You’re shelling out $1.331-$1.67 per daily dose, depending on your subscription setup. But is its worth a “you get what you pay for” situation? 

Fatty15 is clinically dosed based on current research, and it only contains one ingredient–FA15, the patented form of pentadecanoic acid. However, each batch of the powerful ingredient is third-party tested for purity, meaning you know what’s on the label is exactly what you’re putting into your body. Plus, fatty15 offers several ways to save with bulk buys and subscription deliveries.

Potential Risks

Research surrounding the long-term use of pentadecanoic acid in any form is still evolving, but a recent 2020 study has linked increased levels of the fatty acid with sarcopenia, or skeletal muscle loss. (3) Those at risk for muscle loss, such as older adults, should consult their doctor before starting an FA15 supplement like fatty15. There is also limited data regarding drug-nutrient interactions, so keep that in mind when adding a saturated fatty acid supplement to your day. 

What to Consider Before Buying Fatty15

Our expert testers, including Kate Meier, a member of our editorial team and NASM-certified personal trainer, looked at fatty15 from every angle. They shared insight into their experience using our testing methodology, which considers the following aspects.

Price Per Serving

Fatty15 is available in various kits, ranging from a 30-day supply to a full year’s stock. Depending on your chosen kit, the cost per serving varies between $1.31 and $1.67. Shipping is free on all U.S. orders, and subscriptions can be canceled at any time. 

Glass bottle kit options include:

• 30-Day Trial Kit (with 90-day subscription): $49.95 or $1.67/serving
• 90-Day Starter Kit (with 90-day subscription): $119.95 or $1.33/serving
• 90-Day Starter Kit (without a subscription): $149.95 or $1.67/serving 
• Annual Supply Kit (without a subscription): $459.95 or $1.31/serving

Fatty15 is paving the way for this type of supplement, so it’s tough to compare how its price per serving stacks up against the competition. Still, it’s much more expensive than your standard omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

Formulation

One of our expert testers made a good point when he said, “There isn’t a ton of research on this product yet, but its company claims that it can help replenish and strengthen cells.” With that in mind, we gave fatty15’s formulation a 4 out of 5. We like the product’s simplicity and the fact that it has no fluff formula. You’re paying for clinically dosed C15:0, and that’s precisely what you get–100 milligrams of pentadecanoic acid in its patented form, FA15.

And what little research is available backs the dosing used in fatty15. Scientific studies have shown that consuming between 100 and 300 milligrams of C15:0 can maintain blood levels that promote longevity pathways and positively impact core components of cardiovascular disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. (3)

But how can it score so well and only provide the low end of what researchers recommend? Great question! The 100 milligrams per capsule ensures you meet your minimum needs, but it leaves room for other sources of fatty acids in your diet, helping you avoid excessive intake of saturated fats. 

Taste and Swallowability

Fatty acid supplements are usually found in large capsules, but fatty15 is packaged in a small vegetable cellulose capsule that even those sensitive to pills can tolerate. One of our expert testers appreciated the small capsule size, saying, “Since this product is formulated as a daily supplement, I appreciate that it was easy to swallow and didn’t have a taste.”

[Related: Best BCAA Supplements] 

Meier echoed this tester’s thoughts and gave fatty15 a perfect 5 out of 5 for swallowability, saying, “The smaller capsule size was super easy to swallow. I had zero issues!” She also didn’t notice a taste when taking fatty15, earning it another 5 out of 5 for taste. 

Transparency and Third-Party Testing

The FDA is not responsible for regulating dietary supplements, so we love to see supplement companies like fatty15 pursue third-party testing to ensure the safety and purity of their products. Fatty15’s only ingredient, FA15, is manufactured in an FDA-approved facility by their current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). It also undergoes rigorous testing by a third-party lab to ensure ≥ 98% purity of each batch. Because each batch is tested by an unbiased third-party lab, we gave fatty15 a 5 out of 5 score for third party testing.

Side Effects 

Neither of our testers experienced any adverse side effects while trialing fatty15. However, they both emphasized that you would need to consistently take the fatty acid supplement for a very long time to notice any results, good or bad. 

The company’s website states a small percentage of customers report constipation, diarrhea, and headaches while taking fatty15 as recommended. Consider discussing potential side effects with your doctor before starting fatty15. 

Fatty15 vs. The Competition

While fatty15 is the first on the market, we’ve tested hundreds of dietary supplements, including a range of fatty acid products. Comparing fatty15 to omega-3 fatty acids is not a 1:1 comparison, but they’re in the same realm and share the same goals. We pulled a couple of products from our list of best fish oil supplements. Legion Triton Fish Oil sells at a comparable price but offers a significantly different dose of fat. On the other hand, BulkSupplements Fish Oil is way more affordable but provides a smaller amount of DHA and EPA than Legion.

[Related: The Best Fish Oils For Athletes]

C15:0 and omega-3s are essential fatty acids, meaning our bodies can’t produce them alone. We have to get them from our diet. And while most of us can meet our needs through whole foods alone, supplements are an excellent way to cover any shortcomings in our diet. 

[Related: Best Probiotic Supplements] 

Several factors can influence your decision-making when shopping for the best fatty acid supplements for your needs. Type of fat, amount per serving, third-party testing, and price per serving vary significantly between products. A registered dietitian can help you choose dietary supplements based on your medical history and wellness goals. 

Places to Buy Fatty15

You can purchase fatty15 directly on the company’s website.

Customer Experience

Fatty 15 is available directly on their website, with various kit options to choose. The more you buy, the more you save, especially when you set up a delivery subscription. You can order a one-time purchase of a one-month supply at full price or a whole year’s supply and save $140 overall. Fatty15 allows you to cancel your membership anytime, and shipping is always free for orders.

The customer service information is easy to find on their website, and the FAQ section is very thorough.  

Return Policy

Fatty15 offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all first-time orders. If you’re not satisfied with the product, you can initiate a return within 30 days of purchase by emailing customer service. You’ll be in contact with a customer service representative who will provide details on how to return the product and when to expect your refund. 

Company Information

Based in San Diego, California, fatty15 is a relatively new company founded after years of research. Founded by Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson and Dr. Eric Venn-Watson, a husband-and-wife duo, fatty15 combines their background in medicine, veterinary epidemiology, and public health.

Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist and public health scientist, was involved in many of the clinical trials that explored the health effects of C15:0 on dolphin populations, sparking her curiosity regarding its impact on humans. Her recent TED talks more about the science behind C15:0 and offers insight into the company.

To contact fatty15, you can submit a customer service ticket on the brand’s website, email info@fatty15.com, or call 619-407-9225.

Final Word

Saturated fat has been frowned upon for years and years. But with emerging research indicating a dosed amount may be beneficial to health, we’re seeing a surge in fatty acid supplements on the market. Fatty15 is paving the way for C15:0 supplementation, but continued research is still needed, especially its long-term effects on humans. 

[Related: Best Clean Protein Powders] 

Fatty15 provides 100 milligrams of C15:0 in every capsule, the lowest of what research has shown to be beneficial for daily intake. But isn’t that what supplements are for–to the gap between dietary intake and nutrition needs? The lower dose allows you to consume other sources of pentadecanoic acid without overdoing it. Still, if you have questions about C15:0 and the effects it may have on your health, talk with your doctor or registered dietitian nutritionist. 

Fatty15 FAQs

References

1. Venn-Watson SK, Parry C, Baird M, et al. Increased Dietary Intake of Saturated Fatty Acid Heptadecanoic Acid (C17:0) Associated with Decreasing Ferritin and Alleviated Metabolic Syndrome in Dolphins. PLoS One. 2015;10(7):e0132117. Published 2015 Jul 22. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132117
2. Venn-Watson S, Reiner J, Jensen ED. Pentadecanoylcarnitine is a newly discovered endocannabinoid with pleiotropic activities relevant to supporting physical and mental health. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):13717. Published 2022 Aug 23. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-18266-w
3. Venn-Watson S, Schork NJ. Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0), an Essential Fatty Acid, Shares Clinically Relevant Cell-Based Activities with Leading Longevity-Enhancing Compounds. Nutrients. 2023; 15(21):4607. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214607
4. Pfeuffer M, Jaudszus A. Pentadecanoic and Heptadecanoic Acids: Multifaceted Odd-Chain Fatty Acids. Adv Nutr. 2016;7(4):730-734. Published 2016 Jul 15. doi:10.3945/an.115.011387
5. Venn-Watson S, Lumpkin R, Dennis EA. Efficacy of dietary odd-chain saturated fatty acid pentadecanoic acid parallels broad associated health benefits in humans: could it be essential? Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):8161.

The post Fatty15 Review (2024): A New Take on Fatty Acid Supplements appeared first on BarBend.

This review includes an overview of the best creatine gummies, ranging from ones based on taste and texture to those tailored to various nutrition needs. With the help of our product testers, expert reviewers, and customer reviews, we’ve researched and tested many products to determine the best of the best creatine gummies out there. If you’re looking for a tasty, effective creatine supplement in gummy form, check out our top picks.

The 6 Best Creatine Gummies in 2024

• Best Creatine Gummies Overall: Swoly Creatine Gummies
• Best Tasting Creatine Gummies: Create Creatine Gummies
• Best Creatine Chews: Animal Creatine Performance Chews
• Best Sugar-Free Creatine Gummies: Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies
• Best Budget Creatine Gummies: Beava Creatine Monohydrate Gummies
• Best Vegan Creatine Gummies: Beast Bites Creatine-Infused Gummies

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 use as 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.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Creatine Gummies

The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To determine the best creatine gummies available today, we’ve tested 41 different profiles from the industry’s best brands, using a multi-point methodology to rate each profile on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Below are some of the categories and components that played into our rankings.

• Formulation: While creatine monohydrate is the most well-researched form of creatine, there are many types of creatine including creatine HCl, creatine HMB, micronized creatine, and creatine nitrate, to name a few. (2) 
• Dosage: We also evaluated the amount of creatine in each supplement. For general wellness, studies show that you need about 3 to 5 grams of creatine intake, which every pick on this list contains. (3) 
• Ingredients:We checked the ingredient quality on the label. When choosing our picks, we like to avoid creatine supplements that contain fillers, artificial ingredients, added sugars, and sugar alcohols. 
• Taste: While taste has nothing to do with the health benefits of taking creatine gummies, a product that tastes good can help ensure that you continue to take it. There are many different flavors and good-tasting gummies on our list that our product testers have extensively reviewed. Some gummies come in one popular flavor, while others come in many different flavors to experiment with. 
• Easy to Take: We’ve evaluated the swallowability of each pick to make sure they’re as close to gummy candy texture as possible and easy to take, without the hassle of taking creatine powder.
• Third-Party Testing: Dietary supplements and any accompanying claims are not evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This means that manufacturers can pretty much claim anything on the label. That’s why looking for reputable, third-party testing companies or third-party certifications on the label is so important in your search for high-quality creatine gummies. 
• Value: Hey, who doesn’t love a good deal? On our list, we’ve tried to point out the picks that are the best value for your money. After all, fitness pursuits can get expensive between home equipment, gym memberships, fitness apparel, bodybuilding or powerlifting competitions, 5K or marathon races, etc. We’ve also provided the best budget pick on the list, but ultimately we recognize that value is highly subjective based on your specific needs. 

Best Creatine Gummies Overall: Swoly Creatine Gummies

Swoly Creatine Gummies

Swoly Creatine Gummies

These gummies boast 4g of creatine monohydrate and come in a delicious strawberry flavor. You do need to chew 5 for a full dose, but they're so tasty, we don't think you'll have any complaints about that. 

Shop Swoly

Overall, Swoly Creatine Gummies took our #1 spot for best creatine gummies for general wellness. This pick boasts a solid formulation with creatine monohydrate as its active ingredient, which is the most researched form of creatine. (2) It also contains enough creatine to support increased creatine levels in your muscles, with 4 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, which can then support short, intense exercises and help build muscle. (3)(4) 

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, who is a registered dietitian, gave this product’s formulation high marks with a score of 4 out of 5, “I’m a fan of the 4 grams of creatine monohydrate packed into each serving for this product since research shows creatine supplements are best absorbed in doses of 3 to 5 grams. However, I don’t love that it uses artificial flavors and sugar.” 

Taking creatine gummies needs to be a pleasant experience, and Swoly Creatine Gummies taste delicious. Our product tester scored this pick a 5 out of 5 for taste, noting “I think these are dangerously delicious – like, enough to have to keep them away from my kids! They seriously taste like regular fruit snacks and I’d be happy taking them daily.” However, note that it only comes in one flavor – so if you don’t like the strawberry flavor, this product might not be the best fit.

These gummies also scored 5 out of 5 for swallowability. They’re easy to take and have a great texture for chewing, but you do need to take 5 gummies for one serving. If you need more than 4 grams of creatine for performance purposes, you’ll be consuming a lot of gummies (which we don’t think sounds too bad, though, since they taste so good).

Additionally, Swoly Creatine Gummies are gluten-free and gelatin-free, making them well-suited for gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. While they aren’t third-party tested, they’re produced in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) facility and have a transparent label that lists out all ingredients and supplement facts to make up for the lack of third-party testing. Overall, if you’re looking for a solid creatine gummy product that’ll supply you with an effective dose of creatine, tastes great, and is easy to take, give Swoly Creatine Gummies a whirl – you won’t be disappointed.

Best Tasting Creatine Gummies: Create Creatine Gummies

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Create Creatine Gummies

Create Creatine Gummies

Crafted for balance, taste, and ease, Create Gummies revolutionize creatine supplementation with delicious 1g gummies. Turn routine into a treat and fuel your body for performance. Use code "intro20" for a 20% discount.

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Taste is certainly an important consideration when picking a creatine supplement – and one of the common reasons why many individuals prefer a gummy form since it reminds them of gummy bears. After testing out many different brands and products, we think we’ve found the tastiest creatine gummies: Create Creatine Gummies. Our product tester gave this product a sparkling score of 5 out of 5 for taste, noting, “I’m 5 million times more likely to take these gummies over any powder. I tried the Orange flavor from this brand and they genuinely taste like orange gummies, but not as sweet as candy. I find these pleasant overall.”

Many individuals prefer a gummy form over powder, especially when the texture is easy to chew and easy to swallow. Studies show that people are more consistent with their supplement routine with gummies than with any other type of supplement form. (5) Our product tester gave this product high marks for its swallowability with a score of 5 out of 5. “These are like eating gummy bears. I love the texture and wish every product came in this gummy form,” she adds.

Aside from these practical considerations, the formulation itself is solid, too. It contains 4.5 grams of creatine monohydrate, which is the type of creatine that is most well-studied. (2) This formula does contain 2 grams of added sugar from sugar and tapioca syrup, which isn’t ideal, but is typically common for gummies unless artificial or natural sweeteners are added for sweetness.

Create Creatine Gummies are also appropriate for vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free diets. While they’re not third-party tested, they are produced in an FDA-registered facility based on the packaging. Although the price is expensive, if good taste is non-negotiable for you, the Create Creatine Gummies are worth the investment.

Best Creatine Chews: Animal Creatine Performance Chews

Animal Creatine Performance Chews

Animal Creatine Performance Chews

Animal Creatine Performance Chews offer a convenient and enjoyable way to supplement with 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, complemented by Astragin for enhanced absorption. These chewable tablets come in four flavors, providing an alternative to gummies and powders. With a texture reminiscent of Sweet Tarts and supported by research, this formulation aims to boost muscle creatine levels and enhance athletic performance.

Shop Animal Creatine Performance Chews

Not thrilled about the gummy options, but also don’t like the powder form? Fortunately, Animal Creatine Performance Chews are a nutritious and delicious option that tastes like and has the same texture as SweeTARTS. Our product tester tried the Fruit Punch flavor and gave it an excellent score of 5 out of 5 for taste. She states, “I thought it tasted like a Cherry Sweet Tart. It’s so good that I’d be more than happy to take it every day!” The swallowability was comparable to a tart candy – our product tester rated it 4 out of 5. “Since these are chews, I found them a little chalky so I needed to drink some water after chewing them since my mouth was dry. It’s not a deal-breaker, but something to consider,” our product tester adds.

As for the formulation, these chews contain 5 grams of creatine monohydrate, which is the most researched form of creatine according to the International Society of Sports Nutrition. (2) At this dose, creatine monohydrate is known to help increase creatine levels in your muscles, support athletic performance, and help build muscle mass. (3)(4)

It also contains an ingredient called Astragin, which is a clinically tested ingredient that shows promise for improving immunity, protecting your liver, and lowering blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, although further studies are needed to understand this relationship. (6) However, this product does contain some unfavorable additives in its formulation including artificial flavors and sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame potassium), 2 grams of sugar, and fillers like maltodextrin.

To verify the purity, safety, and quality, Animal Creatine Performance Chews are third-party tested in a laboratory. However, make sure to check the label if you have any food allergies, since the label states that this product is produced in a facility that also processes milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and sesame. These are some of the most common food allergens in the United States, and when these allergens are produced in the same facility, you could risk cross-contamination. 

Overall, if you’re looking for a delicious chew with solid solubility that contains pure creatine monohydrate, we think Animal Creatine Performance Chews are a solid choice.

Best Sugar-Free Creatine Gummies: Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies

Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies

Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies

For those who don't want to add yet another powder to their supplement stack, we highly recommend Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies. These come in a blueberry flavor and are easy to take on-the-go.

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In a world where creatine gummies are loaded with added sugar and artificial sweeteners, Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies are a sugar-free option. The USDA recommends limiting added sugar intake to less than 10 percent of your daily caloric intake, so these gummies are a great way to incorporate creatine into your fitness routine without all the unwanted sugar. (8) 

The only potential downside is that instead of sugar, these contain other ingredients to sweeten the product. Bear Balanced uses stevia extract and sugar alcohol to sweeten the gummies. Stevia may impart a bitter aftertaste, while sugar alcohols may cause gastrointestinal upset in certain individuals. (9) While there are 8 grams of total carbs per serving, some individuals choose to calculate and track net carbs – and this product has 5 grams of dietary fiber and 3 grams of sugar alcohol, which equates to 1.5 grams of net carbs. (10)

These gummies contain 3 grams of Creapure creatine monohydrate per serving – high-grade creatine that the company claims has 99.99 percent purity compared to generic creatine that isn’t tested for quality, safety, and levels of toxins and fillers. Based on studies, the recommended dose of creatine is 3 to 5 grams, and the amount of creatine in this product is 3 grams, which is well within that range. (3) 

These gummies also contain amino acids L-theanine and L-tyrosine, which may support memory and muscle function and increase energy and endurance, respectively. (11) They also contain vitamin B12 for energy support – and any extra B12 that your body doesn’t use comes out in your urine, so there’s minimal risk of taking too much B12. (12) And lastly, they contain huperzine A, which is clinically studied for its potential for focus and attention but needs more studies to confirm its effects. (13) For all these reasons and the high-quality ingredient stack this pick includes, our product testers gave it a formulation score of 4.5 out of 5.

You may also be wondering what these gummies taste like since they’re sugar-free. They’re very tasty, with our product tester scoring it a 4.5 out of 5. “I could taste an artificial blue raspberry flavor, but I got used to the taste of the product after a week. They reminded me of gummy bears and they’re convenient to take,” our product tester states.

While these gummies aren’t third-party tested, they’re backed by healthcare professionals. Additionally, for those with special dietary needs or allergies, the product is dairy-free, fat-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto, nut-free, and gluten-free. In a world full of sugary options and artificial sweeteners, this sugar-free option is worth a shot when you’re looking to curb sugar intake.

Best Budget Creatine Gummies: Beava Creatine Monohydrate Gummies

Beava Creatine Monohydrate Gummies

Beava Creatine Monohydrate Gummies

Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies offer a sugar-free solution with high-quality ingredients including Creapure creatine, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, vitamin B12, and huperzine A. With 3 grams of Creapure creatine per serving and additional amino acids, these gummies are a convenient and sugar-free choice for those aiming to limit sugar intake.

Shop Beava Creatine Monohydrate Gummies

You may not have heard of Beava Creatine Monohydrate Gummies, but this pick is one of the most economical ways to incorporate creatine monohydrate into your diet – we voted these gummies the best budget creatine gummies on our list. Our product testers scored the price per serving a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Everything related to fitness, from fitness apparel to gym memberships, can be expensive, so saving a couple of bucks on your supplement routine without compromising quality goes a long way!

The formulation isn’t too shabby, either – our product testers gave it a decent score of 4 out of 5. First, it contains 3 grams of creatine monohydrate. Creatine monohydrate is the most well-researched form of creatine and we know that 3 to 5 grams are optimal for performance. (3)(4) Second, the formula contains no artificial flavors or colors, which is a big plus. However, the formula does have some downsides. It contains 3 grams of added sugar from glucose syrup and organic cane sugar, and a lot of filler ingredients (pectin, citric acid, sodium citrate, vegetable oil, carnauba wax).

This isn’t great if you’re watching your sugar intake, as the USDA recommends limiting added sugars in your diet to less than 10 percent of your daily caloric intake. (8) Additionally, the formulation isn’t third-party tested, but all of that typically comes with a higher-priced product that you wouldn’t necessarily expect in a budget-friendly pick.

Taste is also a big consideration since it’s tough to find a cheap and delicious creatine gummy. According to customer reviews on Amazon, these look and taste like real gummy bears. One Amazon reviewer says, “These are so good that I have to have a lot of self-control to not eat them all in one sitting!”

Best Vegan Creatine Gummies: Beast Bites Creatine-Infused Gummies

Beast Bites Creatine-Infused Gummies

Beast Bites Creatine-Infused Gummies

Bear Balanced Creatine Gummies offer a sugar-free solution with high-quality ingredients including Creapure creatine, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, vitamin B12, and huperzine A. With 3 grams of Creapure creatine per serving and additional amino acids, these gummies are a convenient and sugar-free choice for those aiming to limit sugar intake.

Shop Beast Bites Creatine-Infused Gummies

Vegans, don’t worry, there’s an option for you too, the Beast Bites Creatine-Infused Gummies. They’re made with a vegan pectin base instead of gelatin and are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Plant-based diets can help minimize environmental impact and are correlated to lower weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar – vegan creatine gummies can seamlessly fit into a vegan diet. (14)

The formulation is top-notch, earning a 4 out of 5 from our product testers. It contains 5 grams of creatine monohydrate, which is a well-researched form of creatine. (2) The dose is also on the higher end of the range studied for its effects to make sure you get enough creatine in your routine, especially if you need a higher amount of creatine. (3) However, while the formula contains no sugar, artificial sweeteners, or flavor, they do contain sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive upset, as well as some filler ingredients. (9)

Now, onto some practical considerations. With many delicious flavor options, you can’t go wrong with taste. Customers rave about the taste and claim that these gummies taste like candy. The texture leaves a little to be desired, though, as it can be sticky and clumpy at the bottom of the jar during the summertime. We recommend keeping this jar somewhere cool and dark, like your pantry, and not in your sweaty gym bag.

Overall, these gummies are also a good value – our product testing team scored it a 4 out of 5 for price per serving. 

With Beast Bites Creatine-Infused Gummies, you don’t have to compromise your vegan lifestyle to meet your creatine needs. Plus, they’re delicious, budget-friendly, and have only 5 grams of creatine monohydrate. We get why these have been all over TikTok.

Benefits of the Best Creatine Gummies

There are both practical and health benefits associated with taking creatine gummies. Gummies are convenient and delicious compared to other forms of creatine. Additionally, creatine gummies may be able to fuel your workout and fitness goals. Read on to understand the full benefits of creatine gummies.

• Convenient: Whether you keep your creatine supplements in the pantry or your gym bag, creatine gummies have you covered. Pre-portioned gummy servings eliminate the need for measuring or mixing, saving time and effort for individuals with busy lifestyles. This added convenience may help you keep your creatine supplementation more consistent. After all, studies show that people are more likely to adhere to taking gummies than other forms of supplements. (5)
• Tasty: Powders can be chalky and may often have an unpleasant flavor or aftertaste – and it’s the reason why some of us might have previously avoided taking creatine altogether. Fortunately, creatine gummies come in a variety of flavors, depending on the brand, that can appeal to a range of preferences since taste is subjective. Look for a flavor that you know you’ll enjoy, and it’ll make taking your creatine gummies that much easier.
• Supports Exercise Performance: Creatine gummies contain creatine as the active ingredient, so the same benefits of creatine powder apply when it comes to athletic performance. Creatine supplies energy to your muscle cells by producing more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during high-intensity exercise, such as running or resistance training in a HIIT format. By increasing your body’s supply of creatine phosphate, creatine gummies can help increase strength and power during exercise and have the potential to improve your performance. (1) Creatine may also help support muscle growth and muscle strength since it’ll give you energy to do some extra reps. (15) 

How Much Do the Best Creatine Gummies Cost?

The cost for creatine gummies ranges from $1 to $2 per serving, depending on the brand, ingredients, and other factors. If you’re looking for the best budget-friendly creatine gummies, Beava Creatine Monohydrate Gummies is our top pick. Make sure you are looking at the price per serving and not the price per gummy, as serving sizes can vary by product – some products have a 2-gummy serving size, while others have a 5-gummy serving size.

How to Choose the Best Creatine Gummies

Don’t see a creatine gummy on our list that fits your needs or see one in the store that you might be interested in? When choosing the best creatine gummies to incorporate into your supplementation routine, there are several factors to consider: type and amount of creatine, ingredient list quality, taste and flavor, and credibility. By carefully evaluating these factors, you’ll be able to confidently choose creatine gummies that best support your fitness goals and overall well-being.

• Creatine Type: The most common type of creatine formulations is creatine monohydrate, which is the most well-researched, and cost-effective form. (2) A few examples are creatine hydrochloride (HCl), creatine nitrate, creatine ethyl ester, creatine citrate, and buffered forms like Kre-Alkalyn. Realistically, for most people, monohydrates creatine gets the job done – usually at a lower cost. The more high-end formulations may have slightly different absorption profiles, but they typically don’t outperform the former monohydrate in high-quality studies. (16) 
• Creatine Amount: For creatine gummies to support your performance, studies recommend taking 3 to 5 grams of creatine per day. (3) Some creatine gummies might be cheaper, but make sure that each serving supplies at least 3 grams of creatine to meet that threshold. However, bodybuilders looking to gain lean muscle, power athletes looking to increase strength, or active individuals engaging in high-intensity exercise may need more creatine. Some studies have been done to assess performance in individuals taking up to 20 grams of creatine per day. (3)
• Ingredient List: Creatine gummies are a tough one to evaluate when it comes to ingredients because there are certain ingredients needed to create the gummy base (either gelatin or pectin) and to help stabilize the gummy from an acidity and shelf life perspective that would typically be considered fillers. If your preference is a gummy, make sure that even if there are fillers, they are natural and recognizable. 
• Taste and Flavor: Most creatine gummies come in fruit or sweet-and-sour candy flavors. If you normally like a certain fruit or candy flavor, you may like that same flavor in a gummy form. Also, be sure to check out online reviews to see what customers are saying. Until you know that a certain gummy is to your liking, you may want to stick with one jar – which is usually 30 servings – before you buy in bulk. 
• Credibility: Since supplements aren’t FDA regulated, assessing the product’s credibility is important. You’ll want to do your research on the brand and manufacturer that the product is from, and whether they’re known for their quality and efficacy? Additionally, look for third-party certifications on the label – this verifies that the product has gone through independent testing to confirm its purity, quality, safety, and effectiveness.

Best Creatine Gummies FAQs

References

1. Wax, B., Kerksick, C. M., Jagim, A. R., Mayo, J. J., Lyons, B. C., & Kreider, R. B. (2021). Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations. Nutrients, 13(6), 1915.
2. Kreider, R. B., Kalman, D. S., Antonio, J., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Wildman, R., Collins, R., Candow, D. G., Kleiner, S. M., Almada, A. L., & Lopez, H. L. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 18.
3. Ribeiro, F., Longobardi, I., Perim, P., Duarte, B., Ferreira, P., Gualano, B., Roschel, H., & Saunders, B. (2021). Timing of Creatine Supplementation around Exercise: A Real Concern?. Nutrients, 13(8), 2844.
4. Wu, S. H., Chen, K. L., Hsu, C., Chen, H. C., Chen, J. Y., Yu, S. Y., & Shiu, Y. J. (2022). Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021. Nutrients, 14(6), 1255.
5. Wagner, C. L., Shary, J. R., Nietert, P. J., Wahlquist, A. E., Ebeling, M. D., & Hollis, B. W. (2019). Bioequivalence Studies of Vitamin D Gummies and Tablets in Healthy Adults: Results of a Cross-Over Study. Nutrients, 11(5), 1023.
6. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck, D., Castenmiller, J., De Henauw, S., Hirsch-Ernst, K. I., Kearney, J., Maciuk, A., Mangelsdorf, I., McArdle, H. J., Naska, A., Pelaez, C., Pentieva, K., Siani, A., Thies, F., Tsabouri, S., Vinceti, M., Cubadda, F., Engel, K. H., Frenzel, T., Heinonen, M., … Knutsen, H. K. (2020). Safety of a botanical extract derived from Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus (AstraGin) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 18(5), e06099.
7. Tedner, S. G., Asarnoj, A., Thulin, H., Westman, M., Konradsen, J. R., & Nilsson, C. (2022). Food allergy and hypersensitivity reactions in children and adults-A review. Journal of internal medicine, 291(3), 283–302.
8. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition.
9. Lenhart, A., & Chey, W. D. (2017). A Systematic Review of the Effects of Polyols on Gastrointestinal Health and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 8(4), 587–596.
10. Marcason W. (2004). What do “net carb”, “low carb”, and “impact carb” really mean on food labels?. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 104(1), 135.
11. Wu G. (2009). Amino acids: metabolism, functions, and nutrition. Amino acids, 37(1), 1–17.
12. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2024). National Institutes of Health. Vitamin B12 Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
13. Huperzine A. (2004). Drugs in R&D, 5(1), 44–45.
14. Wang, T., Masedunskas, A., Willett, W. C., & Fontana, L. (2023). Vegetarian and vegan diets: benefits and drawbacks. European heart journal, 44(36), 3423–3439.
15. Nissen, S. L., & Sharp, R. L. (2003). Effect of dietary supplements on lean mass and strength gains with resistance exercise: a meta-analysis. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 94(2), 651–659.
16. Butts, J., Jacobs, B., & Silvis, M. (2018). Creatine Use in Sports. Sports health, 10(1), 31–34.
17. Antonio, J., Candow, D. G., Forbes, S. C., Gualano, B., Jagim, A. R., Kreider, R. B., Rawson, E. S., Smith-Ryan, A. E., VanDusseldorp, T. A., Willoughby, D. S., & Ziegenfuss, T. N. (2021). Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18(1), 13.
18. Haff, G. G., Kirksey, K. B, Stone, M. H., Warren, B. J., Johnson, R. L., Stone, M., O’Bryant, H., & Proulx, C. (2000). The Effect Of 6 Weeks of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation On Dynamic Rate of Force Development. Journal Of Strength And Conditioning Research, 14(4), 426-433.

The post The Best Creatine Gummies of 2024, Tested and Dietitian Approved appeared first on BarBend.

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. 

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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. 

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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