What Is L-Citrulline and Why Is It Used in Pre-Workout Supplements?

L-Citrulline is a popular ingredient found in many pre-workout supplements. It’s an amino acid that naturally occurs in the body and is also found in foods such as watermelon. In sports nutrition, it is commonly included in pre-workout formulas designed for strength training, endurance exercise, and high-intensity workouts.

Below we take a simple look at what L-citrulline is and why it appears so often in sports nutrition supplements.

What Is L-Citrulline?

L-Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body can produce it naturally. Once consumed, it is converted into another amino acid called arginine. Arginine plays a role in the production of nitric oxide, a compound involved in blood flow and circulation.

Because of this process, L-citrulline has become a common ingredient in supplements used around training and exercise.

Why Is L-Citrulline Used in Pre-Workout Supplements?

L-Citrulline is often included in pre-workout formulas designed for people taking part in demanding exercise such as weight training, running, cycling, or high-intensity interval training.

Many pre-workout supplements combine L-citrulline with other well-known ingredients such as caffeine, beta-alanine, and creatine. These formulas are typically used shortly before training as part of a broader sports nutrition routine.

L-Citrulline vs Citrulline Malate

You may also see citrulline malate listed on supplement labels. This is simply L-citrulline combined with malic acid. Both forms are widely used in sports nutrition supplements and appear in many popular pre-workout products.

The choice between L-citrulline and citrulline malate often comes down to product formulation and personal preference.

How Is L-Citrulline Typically Taken?

L-Citrulline is most commonly consumed as part of a powdered pre-workout supplement that is mixed with water and taken before exercise. It may also appear in capsule or tablet form in some sports nutrition products.

Many people include it as part of their overall training nutrition routine alongside other supplements.

Pre-Workout Supplements at The Supplement Store

If you're looking for pre-workout supplements that contain popular ingredients such as L-citrulline, you can browse the full range of sports nutrition supplements available at The Supplement Store.