Products

What is the ESN Designer Protein Bar?

The ESN Designer Protein Bar is a 45 g protein bar, coated and filled, designed to deliver protein in a format that fits in a pocket. What sets it apart is the way it is sweetened: sugar is very largely replaced here by maltitol, a polyol. That choice explains both its appeal and its main limitation, and we will go into both.

The protein base is a blend of milk proteins and soy protein isolate. Then come maltitol, cocoa butter, glycerol as a humectant — it is what stops the bar from going hard — whole milk powder, and finally the elements specific to each flavour. The list above is the one for the Almond Coconut version; the composition changes from one flavour to another, particularly where nuts are concerned.

The flavours listed: Almond Coconut, Cinnamon Cereal, Dark Chocolate Salted Almond, Dark Cookie White Choc, Fudge Brownie, Hazelnut Nougat, Peanut Caramel, White Chocolate Pistachio, Strawberry Yogurt, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Strawberry White Chocolate and White Chocolate Raspberry. The German brand is stocked here in our ESN section.

What does a 45 g bar contain?

Figures taken from the Almond Coconut flavour. They vary from one flavour to another — a white chocolate pistachio version does not have the same fat profile as a raspberry one. Read the label on the bar you are buying if you are counting to the gram.

14 g of protein for 166 kcal is the figure that justifies the purchase. Protein here supplies around a third of the bar's energy, which allows the nutrition claim “high protein” within the meaning of the European regulation. In practical terms, you are roughly halfway between a Greek yoghurt and a shake: it is not a serving of whey, but it is well above what a supermarket cereal bar provides.

1.4 g of sugars per bar — that is 3.2 g per 100 g — allows the claim “low sugars”. Let us be plain about it, because the confusion is common: this is not a “sugars-free” bar. That particular wording would require less than 0.5 g per 100 g, and we will not be using it. The sugar has been replaced by 11 g of maltitol per bar, a polyol that provides sweetness and around 2.4 kcal per gram instead of 4.

The line to watch, on the other hand, is the 7.2 g of fat, of which 3.8 g is saturates. That is what sets this bar apart from a shake: it is richer, more filling, and more calorific for the same protein. That is neither good nor bad in itself — it is information to factor in if you are counting your calories.

How does this bar fit into the day?

Dose: 1 bar of 45 g. Liquid: none, but have a glass of water to hand, the texture is dense. Timing: as a snack between meals, after a session, or at the end of a meal. Frequency: 1 to 2 a day at most, for the reason explained below. Duration: none, this is a food.

The most honest use case is the stopgap snack. A day when you have no time to eat properly, a trip, a late afternoon where the real alternative is the vending machine: there, 14 g of protein for 166 kcal solves the problem better than a croissant. After training, it does the job if you have no shaker to hand, and no more than that.

A storage remark that matters: keep it between 15 and 20 °C, away from direct heat. Left in a car in summer, the coating melts and the bar becomes impossible to eat cleanly. Conversely, straight out of a fridge it hardens noticeably — let it come back to room temperature for ten minutes.

Do not use it as a meal replacement. It has neither the volume, nor the composition, nor the micronutrients of a meal. It is a snack, and if you eat three a day to avoid cooking, you are making life harder rather than easier — a tub of protein powder costs less per serving and takes thirty seconds to prepare.

Who is this bar for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone looking for a portable protein source, anyone who dislikes shakes, and anyone who wants something sweet that is compatible with a weight-loss goal without resorting to shop-bought cakes.

It is not for you if you tolerate polyols badly. That is the point to know before buying, not after. The manufacturer carries the regulatory statement: excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. With 11 g of maltitol per bar, two bars in a day are enough to cause bloating, wind or intestinal discomfort in sensitive people. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, stick to one, or give it a miss.

Allergens: the bar contains MILK, SOYA and, depending on the flavour, NUTS. Traces of GLUTEN and PEANUTS are possible. The almond, hazelnut and pistachio flavours are obviously the ones most concerned — check the flavour as much as the product.

What not to expect from it: this is not a slimming product. 166 kcal are still 166 kcal, and a bar added to an already complete day is a more calorific day. Its value lies in replacing something else, not in being added on top. Nor is it a performance product, and maltitol is in no way an active ingredient: it is a bulk sweetener.

A protein bar or a whey shake?

That is the real question, and the answer depends entirely on your day. Let us compare like with like: 14 g of protein here for 166 kcal, against roughly 22 to 24 g of protein for 110 to 120 kcal in a standard serving of concentrated whey.

The shake wins on the numbers, and it wins by a wide margin: more protein, fewer calories, a lower cost per serving. If your aim is to cover a daily protein total at the best possible ratio, the powder is the rational choice, no argument.

The bar wins on everything else, and that everything else counts for more than people think. It calls for no shaker, no water and no rinsing. It can be eaten on the train, in a meeting, between two appointments. It is chewed, so it satisfies more than a liquid of the same calorie count. And above all, it actually gets eaten: a bar in a bag is consumed, a shake that has to be made up is often skipped. The best supplement remains the one you actually take. The sensible compromise is this: the powder at home, the bar on the move. The rest of the range can be compared in our protein snacks and our protein cookies.

Frequently asked questions

Is this bar really sugar-free?

No, and we will not write that it is. It contains 1.4 g of sugars per bar, that is 3.2 g per 100 g. That allows it the claim “low sugars”, which requires less than 5 g per 100 g, but not the wording “sugars-free”, reserved for products under 0.5 g per 100 g. The difference is a regulatory one, and it is real.

Why 11 g of polyols, and is that a problem?

Maltitol replaces sugar: it sweetens almost as much for around 2.4 kcal per gram instead of 4, and it is only partly absorbed. That is what makes it possible to declare 1.4 g of sugars. The trade-off is digestive — the legal statement “excessive consumption may produce laxative effects” appears on the packaging, and it is not decorative.

Can you eat several a day?

Two at most, and only one if your gut is sensitive. The limit comes not from the protein but from the polyols: at three bars, you are at 33 g of maltitol, which causes discomfort in a great many people. Add to that 498 kcal, which is no longer a snack.

Which flavour should I choose to start with?

The classic chocolate flavours — Fudge Brownie, Hazelnut Nougat, Peanut Caramel — are the most widely liked and the closest to confectionery. The fruity versions such as Strawberry White Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Raspberry divide opinion more. If you are allergic to nuts, rule out Almond Coconut, White Chocolate Pistachio and Dark Chocolate Salted Almond from the start.

Does it contain gluten?

Gluten is not an ingredient in the Almond Coconut version, but traces are possible, as they are for peanuts. Since the composition varies from one flavour to another, if you have coeliac disease, read the label of the precise flavour you are buying and, at the slightest doubt, leave it.

Is it suitable during a cutting phase?

Yes, provided it replaces something. 166 kcal for 14 g of protein is a decent ratio, and 3.8 g of saturates remains modest. But it is a dense bar, not a free food: build it into your daily total like any other snack.

Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

For vegetarians, yes: the base is a blend of milk and soy proteins, with no meat ingredient. For vegans, no — the milk proteins and the whole milk powder rule it out. For a vegan diet, look to our plant proteins.

Where can you buy the ESN Designer Protein Bar?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship anywhere in France and Europe.

With a bar, buying blind is a gamble: the flavour is the only thing that decides whether you will buy again, and no photo tells you that. At our Vendargues shop, around ten minutes from Montpellier, the right move is to take two or three different ones rather than a whole box of the same taste — it is less of a commitment and it saves you ending up with eleven bars you do not like.

What is ESN Designer Rice Pudding?

ESN Designer Rice Pudding is an instant rice semolina, to be prepared as a porridge with hot water. Per 100 g of powder it provides 1,582 kJ / 373 kcal, 83 g of carbohydrate of which 0 g sugars, and 7.7 g of protein. The ingredients list fits on one line: 100% instant rice semolina.

ESN — Elite Sports Nutrients — is a German brand founded in 2005, known in France for its Designer Whey range. This product belongs to its family of carbohydrate bases: simple foods, with no flavouring or additive, meant to be assembled with the rest of what you take.

What makes it distinctive is that there is nothing in it but rice. No sweetener, no flavouring, no thickener. You add whatever you like: a scoop of protein, a flavouring powder, some cinnamon, a mashed piece of fruit. That is what explains the “0 g sugars” line — there is simply nothing sweet in it. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our ESN France aisle, and the other bases of this type in our cream of rice aisle.

What does Designer Rice Pudding contain?

83 g of carbohydrate per 100 g and not a single gram of sugars: that is exactly what you ask of a carbohydrate base. All the energy comes from rice starch, that is to say from complex carbohydrates, and not from a sugar added to improve the taste. In this aisle, plenty of flavoured preparations show 10 to 20 g of sugars per 100 g without it being obvious at first glance.

The 7.7 g of protein per 100 g are the rice's own, and they replace nothing. This is not a protein source: at 50 g of powder you are at 3.9 g, less than half an egg. This product is a carbohydrate contribution, full stop. That is precisely why it is almost always prepared with a scoop of protein added after cooking.

What the manufacturer does not publish has to be flagged: fat, fibre and salt do not appear in the data available to us, nor does the weight of the pack. We will not fill those boxes in with approximate values. Since rice is naturally very low in fat, a low content can be expected, but expecting is not knowing: refer to the table printed on the packaging you receive.

On the regulatory side there is nothing to claim, and that is just as well: there is no authorised health claim for rice semolina. This is not a food supplement, it is a food. Carbohydrates serve as fuel for exercise, which is a matter of basic physiology and not of a commercial promise. Be wary of product pages that talk about “optimised glycogen reloading” or “anabolism”: they describe an intention, not a demonstrated effect of the product.

Ingredients list

100% instant rice semolina. Single ingredient.

No allergen in the recipe. The manufacturer states that it is made in a factory handling GLUTEN, MILK, SOYA and EGGS: traces of these allergens may be present. This point is decisive in the case of coeliac disease or a severe allergy.

How do you prepare Designer Rice Pudding?

Serving: refer to the amount stated on the packaging; reckon on 50 to 100 g depending on your needs. Liquid: about four times the volume of powder, in hot water. Preparation: pour the liquid in while stirring with a whisk, then leave to stand for two minutes. Timing: 1 to 2 hours before exercise, or straight after the session. Duration: no notion of a course, it is a food.

The whisk is not an affectation. Poured all at once onto the powder without stirring, rice semolina forms lumps that are impossible to rescue. Pour the hot liquid in gradually while whisking, then let it swell for two minutes: the texture turns creamy on its own. That is the difference between a pleasant porridge and plaster.

Add the protein afterwards, never before. A whey poured into a hot liquid coagulates and gives an unpleasant grainy texture. Make the porridge first, let it cool for a minute, then stir in your scoop of protein. It is the most common mistake with this type of product, and it is easy to avoid.

Before a session, allow one to two hours. This is a carbohydrate-dense food, and heading off to train with a stomach full of thick porridge is the surest way to have a bad session. After training, on the other hand, there is no delay to observe: eat when you are hungry.

On taste, the neutral version calls for seasoning. A little cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa, a mashed piece of fruit, or a powder from our flavourings and sweeteners aisle completely transforms the result for a negligible calorie contribution.

Who is Designer Rice Pudding for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone who needs to add carbohydrate to their day without resorting to fast sugars or to cooking: mass gain, endurance sport, or simply an appetite that does not keep up with requirements. The porridge format has a real advantage: it goes down more easily than a plate of rice when you struggle to eat.

The main point to watch is the traces. The recipe contains no allergen, but the factory handles gluten, milk, soya and eggs. In the case of coeliac disease or a severe allergy, this product is not safe, despite the single ingredient. It is a point many product pages keep quiet about because it spoils the “100% rice” story.

It is not for you if your goal is to cut calories. 373 kcal per 100 g is dense, and it is meant to be. During a period of weight loss, adding this porridge without taking something else away will do you no favours. Our weight loss aisle answers an entirely different need.

What not to expect from it. This is not a performance product: it is ground rice. It does not build muscle, does not replace a structured diet and has no effect of its own. What it does provide is a simple, easily digested way to eat carbohydrate when you need it — and that is already exactly why people buy it.

Cream of rice or maltodextrin?

Both serve to add carbohydrate, but they do not behave in the same way and the confusion is common.

Maltodextrin is a soluble powder, with no texture, that goes into a shaker. It is drunk, digests very quickly, and that is what makes it useful during a long effort or straight afterwards. On the other hand, it is not filling at all: you are not “eating” anything. Our maltodextrin aisle covers these powders, and cyclic dextrin is the more modern version, better tolerated by the stomach during exercise.

Rice semolina, by contrast, is eaten with a spoon and replaces a carbohydrate meal. That is the essential difference. For a breakfast, a snack or a post-session meal, it is far more satisfying than a sweet drink. For drinking during training, it is unusable.

A third base is worth knowing about: oat flour provides more fibre and slower digestion, which suits the morning better than the run-up to a session. Plenty of people alternate the two depending on the time of day, and that is probably the best way to use them.

Frequently asked questions

How much carbohydrate per 100 g?

83 g, of which 0 g sugars, for 373 kcal. All the energy comes from rice starch. That is a high carbohydrate density, very useful when appetite does not keep up with requirements, and far less relevant if you are looking to cut your intake.

Does the product contain gluten?

Not in the recipe: the single ingredient is rice semolina. But the manufacturer states that it is made in a factory handling gluten, milk, soya and eggs, with possible traces. In the case of coeliac disease, this product therefore does not offer the necessary safety.

How do you avoid lumps?

Pour the hot water gradually onto the powder while stirring with a whisk, never all at once. Reckon on about four times the volume of powder in liquid, then leave it to stand for two minutes. The texture turns creamy as it swells, without needing further stirring.

Can whey be mixed into it?

Yes, but after preparation and not during. A whey protein poured into a hot liquid coagulates and makes the texture grainy. Let the porridge cool for a minute, then stir the scoop in. That is the usual way of putting together a complete meal with this product.

How long before training?

One to two hours. This is a dense food, and a thick porridge swallowed twenty minutes before the session sits heavily on the stomach. After training, no delay needs to be observed: the famous thirty-minute window does not have the importance it is credited with, the day's total counts for more.

Is the product flavoured?

No, it is neutral: the ingredients list contains nothing but rice semolina. That is an advantage — you control what you add — but it does mean seasoning it. Cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa, mashed fruit or a flavouring powder do the job perfectly.

What is the weight of the pack?

The manufacturer does not disclose it in the data available to us, any more than the fat, fibre or salt content. We would rather flag that than put forward a figure. The net weight is on the packaging you receive.

Where can you buy ESN Designer Rice Pudding?

The product can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is the base we recommend to customers who struggle to eat enough: a porridge gets finished when a plate of rice is left half-eaten, and during mass gain that detail is what makes the difference. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the mass gain aisle.

What is ESN EAA+?

It is an essential amino acid powder to be mixed with water, with a serving of 20 g, or one and a half scoops. The 400 g tub covers 20 servings. The flavours listed: Peach Iced Tea and Green Apple.

What sets this formula apart from the other EAAs on our shelves is that it does not stop at the nine essential amino acids. It adds three non-essential amino acids — L-cysteine, L-tyrosine and L-glycine — twelve in all, plus the trademarked active AstraGin® (extracts of Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus) and vitamin B6.

An important point for some buyers: the formula is vegan, gluten-free and inulin-free. The amino acids are obtained without any animal-derived raw material, the emulsifier is a sunflower lecithin, and the “inulin-free” wording is aimed at those who find this fibre troublesome. The full German range is in our ESN section.

What does a 20 g serving contain?

Net weight: 400 g, or 20 servings of 20 g.

It has to be said plainly: the manufacturer publishes only the three BCAAs. The six other essential amino acids, the three added amino acids, AstraGin® and vitamin B6 are listed on the label with no quantity. Of the 20 g of powder, only 6.4 g are quantified; the remainder also includes citric acid, flavouring, sweeteners and colouring. We will not fill those gaps with unverified figures, and we invite you to read the label on the tub you receive.

A concrete and slightly frustrating consequence: vitamin B6 is indeed present, but we cannot use the regulatory wording attached to it. Such wording may only be used if the product provides at least 15% of the reference value per portion, that is 0.21 mg. With no declared amount, that threshold cannot be verified, so we refrain. The vitamin B section offers products with declared doses if that is what you need.

What is solid is the headline figure: 3,200 mg of leucine per serving. That is a generous dose, higher than most EAAs on the market, which sit between 2 and 2.5 g. The leucine-isoleucine-valine ratio is 2:1:1, the classic pattern. And histidine really is in the ingredient list, which is not always the case: it is the essential amino acid some formulas leave out because it is expensive.

To finish on the regulatory side: no health claim is authorised in Europe for free amino acids, nor for astragalus, nor for notoginseng. So you will read nothing here about improved absorption, focus or protein synthesis. We are describing a composition, not an effect.

How do you take ESN EAA+?

Serving: 20 g, or one and a half scoops. Liquid: 500 ml of cold water. Timing: 20 to 30 minutes before the session, during training, or within the 30 minutes that follow. Frequency: one serving a day, including rest days according to the manufacturer. Duration: ongoing, as no set course is specified.

Five hundred millilitres is a markedly more generous volume than the shelf average, and that is a good thing: a free-form amino acid powder is acidic and concentrated, and a drink that is too strong becomes unpleasant to finish. The manufacturer's tip is worth trying: let it stand for two minutes after mixing, or put the shaker in the freezer for fifteen minutes. On a summer session, it makes a real difference.

The powder dissolves just as well in cold water as in lukewarm, which is handy in winter — few EAAs can claim as much.

The manufacturer recommends a daily serving, including on days without training. We will be more measured: if your protein intake is already sufficient, a serving on rest days adds nothing that has been demonstrated. Save it for the days when you are genuinely short of a protein meal, and your tub will last twice as long.

The pairing advice it gives is, on the other hand, sound: after a long session, combining this drink with a carbohydrate source from the cyclic dextrin section makes sense in terms of refuelling.

Who is EAA+ for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at three profiles. Vegans first, as the formula contains no ingredient of animal origin. Then those who train fasted or a long way from a meal, since a milky shake sits badly in that case. And those looking for a well-dosed leucine intake without swallowing a protein powder.

The manufacturer declares it unsuitable for minors, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. It contains an emulsifier based on sunflower lecithin, and it is declared gluten-free. Do not exceed the recommended daily serving; store in a dry place, away from heat and light.

It suits you less well if you want to compare precisely what you are buying: of 20 g of powder, only 6.4 g are quantified. That is the real limitation of this product, and it weighs against competitors who publish their full profile amino acid by amino acid. It also contains sucralose, acesulfame K and a colouring: this is not a neutral powder.

What you should not expect from it: an EAA does not replace a protein intake. Twenty grams of powder, part of which is flavouring, is not 25 g of complete protein, and the cost per gram is far higher. Nor can we say anything about cysteine, tyrosine, glycine or AstraGin®: with no published amounts and no authorised claim, there is nothing honest to write about them.

EAA+ or a plant protein?

For a vegan athlete, that is the real trade-off, and it deserves to be set out clearly.

A plant protein provides 20 to 25 g of complete protein per serving, at a cost per gram that bears no comparison. It is the better choice for building a daily protein total, and it is the product to buy first if you are only buying one. Its known weak point is the amino acid profile: pea or rice on its own is limiting in certain amino acids, which blends correct.

EAA+ is not playing in that category. Its place is the training drink: clear, tart, with no heaviness, and 3.2 g of leucine. That is something no plant protein does, its texture being thick and its taste earthy. The two complement each other rather than replace each other.

If your budget forces a choice, take the protein. And if you are instead torn between this EAA and a product three times cheaper, our BCAA section offers that option — bearing in mind that you will only find three amino acids out of nine there, which is a real sacrifice.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the amounts of all the amino acids not stated?

Because the manufacturer publishes only the three BCAAs in the labelling data available to us. The six other essentials, along with cysteine, tyrosine and glycine, appear in the ingredient list with no quantity. We will not invent them: the label on the tub you receive is what counts.

What is the difference between 9 and 12 amino acids?

The nine essentials are the ones the body does not make. Cysteine, tyrosine and glycine, for their part, are produced by the body — they are formulation additions, not nutrients that must be supplied. No claim is authorised for them, and their presence does not make this formula superior to a well-dosed nine-amino-acid EAA.

How many servings are in the 400 g tub?

Twenty, at 20 g per serving, or one and a half scoops. That is a small format compared with most EAAs on the shelf: at one serving a day, it lasts three weeks. Kept for training days only, expect a month to a month and a half.

Is the formula suitable for vegans?

Yes, the manufacturer declares it vegan. The amino acids are produced without any animal-derived raw material and the emulsifier is a sunflower lecithin. It is also declared gluten-free and inulin-free, that last point being aimed at those who find this fibre uncomfortable.

Why is 500 ml of water a lot?

Because 20 g of free-form amino acids in a small volume make for a very acidic drink that is hard to finish. Five hundred millilitres make the taste pleasant and get you drinking during the session, which is a benefit in its own right. The fifteen-minute trip to the freezer is genuinely worth it in summer.

Should you take it on rest days?

The manufacturer recommends it; we are more reserved. If your protein intake already covers your needs, an extra serving on days without training brings nothing that has been demonstrated and halves how long your tub lasts. Save it for the days when a protein meal is genuinely missing.

Peach Iced Tea or Green Apple?

Peach Iced Tea is the milder of the two and the easier to drink over 500 ml; Green Apple is distinctly tarter and more refreshing, but also more marked. Both contain sucralose, acesulfame K and a colouring. If you have to finish a large shaker mid-session, the first goes down more easily.

Where can you buy ESN EAA+?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. The 400 g tub with 20 servings is a trial size: three weeks is enough to know whether this drink earns its place in your sessions.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we use to show customers how to read an EAA label: look for the leucine, then check whether the other eight carry a figure. Here the leucine is generous and the rest is not — it is a trade-off, and it is for you to say whether it suits you. The rest of the amino acids can be compared in our sports nutrition section.

What is ESN Designer Whey 908 g?

ESN Designer Whey is a protein powder in a 908 g tub, built not on a single raw material but on a blend: an ultrafiltered whey concentrate and a cross-flow microfiltered whey isolate. The manufacturer states a protein blend accounting for 94% of the formula; the remainder is the flavouring, the emulsifier, the salt and the sweeteners.

It is the German brand ESN's longest-standing product, and its whole reason for existing is that trade-off: the concentrate brings the price and the texture, the isolate brings the protein density and strips out part of the lactose and the fat. Neither one taken alone gives that result. The flavours listed here run from Vanilla Milk to Cinnamon Cereal: the register is that of a milky dessert, not a fruit drink.

What does a 30 g serving of ESN Designer Whey contain?

The reference serving is 30 g, roughly one level scoop. According to the values declared by the manufacturer, it provides 23 to 25 g of protein for around 115 kcal, 2 g of carbohydrate and 1.5 g of fat, of which 0.9 g saturates. The 908 g tub therefore covers around 30 servings.

The 23 to 25 g spread is not marketing vagueness: it comes from the flavours. The ones containing biscuit or cereal pieces dilute the protein share of the blend. The label on the tub you receive takes precedence over the one on this page.

The manufacturer further states that the protein fraction contains 48% essential amino acids and 23% BCAAs, naturally present in whey. We report those figures as theirs: we have no detailed amino acid profile for this reference, and we will not publish an invented one. The “per 100 g”, “of which sugars”, “fibre” and “salt” columns are likewise absent from the data supplied to us. In regulatory terms, the only thing that can be written about a protein is this: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass. There is no recovery claim for protein, and you will not read one here.

How do you prepare ESN Designer Whey?

The manufacturer indicates 30 g of powder in 200 ml of cold water or milk, shaken for 20 seconds. One to three servings a day according to your needs, with no set course length: a protein powder is a food, and it is taken continuously for as long as it serves to close a gap in your intake.

Timing matters less than it is said to. After the session, at breakfast or between two meals: what determines the outcome is the 24-hour protein total, not the slot.

The 200 ml volume gives a thick texture, close to a milkshake. Go up to 250 or 300 ml if you prefer it thinner. It is also a powder that cooks without difficulty: add it off the heat rather than in the middle of cooking. With oat flakes and oat flours, it makes a complete breakfast.

Who is ESN Designer Whey for, and who is it not for?

It suits the most common situation: you train regularly, you do not reach your protein intake from meals alone, and you want a powder that works in the shaker as well as in the kitchen without paying the premium for a pure isolate.

The product contains MILK and SOYA lecithins. Some flavours with pieces contain GLUTEN, and traces of nuts, egg or fish are possible depending on the flavour: the label on your tub is the only valid reference. In the event of a diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy, the product is contraindicated, isolate or no isolate.

Nor does it suit you if you digest lactose poorly: the presence of isolate reduces the lactose content, it does not cancel it out. In that case, a whey isolate on its own is a better fit. The manufacturer advises against the product for young children and asks pregnant or breastfeeding women and people on medication to seek medical advice. What not to expect from it: it does not build muscle on its own and it does not make you lose weight. It provides protein, nothing more.

ESN Designer Whey or ESN Clear Whey Isolate?

Both come from the same brand and answer two different questions. The Designer Whey is a milky drink, thick, in 200 ml. ESN's clear whey is a translucent, tart drink, diluted in 500 ml of iced water and based on isolate alone.

The Designer Whey wins as soon as the powder has to be cooked with, as soon as you want a texture with some substance to it between two meals, and on the price per kilo of protein — that is the mechanical effect of the concentrate. It also wins on choice: the milky range is better stocked than the clear one.

The clear wins in one precise and frequent case: when the milky shaker no longer goes down. Heaviness after the effort, weariness with the taste of vanilla, a summer session after which nothing creamy will go down. A protein you do not drink is of no use, and that is the only argument that counts then. It also wins on lactose content, which is virtually nil. If your budget is the deciding criterion, look instead at whey concentrate: for most people it is enough, and an isolate is only justified in identified cases.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in the 908 g tub?

Around 30 servings of 30 g. At one serving a day, that covers a month. If you take two on training days and one on the others, reckon on three weeks instead. Keep the tub in a dry place, away from light and carefully resealed.

Do the nutritional values change from one flavour to another?

Yes, and that is the question to ask before buying. The manufacturer states 23 to 25 g of protein per serving depending on the flavour. The versions with biscuit or cereal pieces sit at the bottom of that range and may bring gluten with them.

What is the difference between whey concentrate and whey isolate?

The degree of filtration. Concentrate generally runs between 70 and 80% protein and retains lactose and fat. Isolate takes the filtration further, goes beyond 85% and removes the bulk of both. The Designer Whey contains both, which explains its intermediate position on price as much as on density.

Can it be used in baking?

Yes. Unlike a clear whey, which coagulates with acidity and heat, this powder stands up to cooking and behaves well in pancakes, muffins or porridge. Fold it in at the end of the preparation: the final texture is less dry.

Can it be combined with creatine?

Nothing stands in the way: these are two separate ingredients, with no known interaction, and mixing them in the same shaker poses no problem. Creatine monohydrate is dosed separately, generally 3 to 5 g a day, independently of your protein servings.

Does it contain sugar?

No added sugar: the sweetening is provided by sucralose and steviol glycosides. Around 2 g of carbohydrate remain per 30 g serving, essentially the residual lactose from the whey. The “of which sugars” line is not published by the manufacturer and we do not reconstruct it.

Where can you buy ESN Designer Whey 908 g?

The flavours can be ordered on this page and we ship throughout France and Europe. On a milky whey, the flavour is the one criterion that no product page can settle in your place: in our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we talk them over with people who have drunk them, and we compare the price per kilo of protein in front of you.

The other formats of protein to take away are found in our protein bars, and the aisle as a whole in our sports nutrition section.

What is the Grenade Carb Killa bar?

The Grenade Carb Killa is a single 60 g protein bar, built in three layers and coated in sweetened milk chocolate. It provides 23.2 g of protein and 214 kcal, which places it among the highest-protein bars in our protein bars range.

The protein comes from three milk fractions: calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate. The bar also contains 18.3% hydrolysed bovine gelatine, a figure declared by the manufacturer and one that has a direct consequence: this is not a vegetarian product. The rest of the list comprises polydextrose, glycerol, soya crispies, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, palm oil, three sweeteners (maltitol, xylitol, sucralose), flavourings, fat-reduced cocoa and soya lecithin. The flavours stocked: White Chocolat, Caramel, Cookie Dough, Peanut Nutter, Salted Peanut, Caramel Salé, Fudged Up, Oreo and Oreo White. The rest of the line-up is gathered in the Grenade collection.

What does a 60 g Carb Killa bar contain?

* Column recalculated from the declaration per 60 g bar. ** No nutrient reference value is established for these nutrients. *** The “of which sugars” line is not broken down in the manufacturer data we hold, and we will not be reconstructing it. The packaging carries a reduced sugar content: refer to the label of the flavour you buy.

Two nutrition claims can be verified against these figures. Protein accounts for around 43% of the bar's energy value, which comfortably clears the regulatory threshold for the “high protein” claim. And at 11.2 g of fibre per 100 g, the bar clears the 6 g per 100 g threshold for the “high fibre” claim. Those are the only two statements of that kind we make on this page, because they are the only two the figures support.

When and how should you eat a Carb Killa?

• Serving: 1 bar of 60 g.
• Volume of liquid: the manufacturer prescribes none.
• Timing: within the 30 minutes after training, or as a snack between meals when the next meal is still a long way off.
• Frequency: 1 bar a day at most, following the manufacturer's recommendation.
• Duration: no course length is stated. A protein bar is a food, not a course.

Two practical points. If you digest polyols poorly, start with half a bar: the manufacturer explicitly recommends it. And once opened, the bar should be eaten within 48 hours; the chocolate coating copes badly with heat, which makes it a poor fit for a gym bag left in a car in summer. Our other snack formats can be found in our protein snacks range.

Who is the Carb Killa for, and who is it not for?

It suits you if you are after a portable protein hit, with no shaker and no water, for a working day, a trip or a late finish at the gym.

It is not suitable in four specific situations. If you are vegetarian or vegan: the 18.3% hydrolysed bovine gelatine rules it out, unambiguously. If you are allergic to milk or soya: both are declared as allergens, and the facility also handles gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and eggs. If you tolerate polyols poorly: the bar contains more than 10 g per 100 g, which triggers the regulatory statement “excessive consumption may produce laxative effects”. If you are diabetic: the manufacturer asks you to monitor your blood sugar despite the reduced sugar content, and that question is settled with your doctor, not with a product page.

The manufacturer also advises against it for under-18s and asks women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to consult a healthcare professional.

What you should not expect from it: at 214 kcal, a Carb Killa is a snack, not a meal replacement, and it will not make you lose weight. It usefully replaces a confectionery bar; it does not replace a dinner.

Carb Killa bar or a whey shake?

Both provide a comparable amount of protein, but they do not solve the same problem.

The bar wins on convenience. Nothing to measure out, nothing to wash, nothing to mix, and you can eat it on a train. It is the only format that fits in a pocket.

The shake wins on density and on cost. A serving of whey isolate provides an equivalent amount of protein for markedly fewer calories, with no fat and no polyols, and the price per gram of protein is in another league. If you are in a calorie deficit, the shake is mathematically the better choice, and our weight loss range starts from the same reasoning.

If it is the indulgent side that appeals to you rather than the bar format, protein cookies play on the same ground with different textures. And to build your baseline intake, the protein range is the one to look at first.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Grenade Carb Killa vegetarian?

No. It contains 18.3% hydrolysed bovine gelatine, an ingredient of animal origin. This is the most common question about this product and the answer is no, whatever the flavour.

How much sugar does a Carb Killa contain?

The “of which sugars” line is not broken down in the data the manufacturer has sent us, and we are not going to invent it. What we can state: 13.6 g of carbohydrate and 6.7 g of fibre per bar. The exact sugar figure is on the wrapper of each flavour.

Why can the bar cause bloating?

It contains more than 10 g of polyols per 100 g, which triggers the regulatory statement about the laxative effects of excessive consumption. Starting with half a bar is the manufacturer's recommendation for sensitive individuals.

Which flavour should you try first?

The caramel and peanut profiles are the fullest in flavour, the white chocolate and Oreo profiles the sweetest on the palate. If you cannot decide, take two different ones: at 60 g apiece, trying them costs little.

Can you eat several a day?

The manufacturer sets the limit at one bar a day. Beyond that, you are stacking up polyols, fat and calories with no extra protein benefit compared with a less processed protein source.

Does the bar contain palm oil?

Yes, palm oil appears in the ingredients list. We hold no verified information about its origin or its supply chain, and so we will write nothing further about it.

Does it keep well in summer?

Badly. The chocolate coating melts, and the manufacturer asks for storage in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture. A bar forgotten in a car in the sun will be inedible.

Where can you buy Grenade Carb Killa bars?

Carb Killa bars are available individually on this page, in the flavours stocked, and in our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier. It is the kind of product that is better bought in store the first time: you leave with two different flavours rather than a whole box of one you do not like.

We ship throughout France and Europe.

What is Grenade Protein Spread?

It is a spread formulated with whey protein concentrate and sweetened with maltitol instead of sugar. It provides 20 g of protein per 100 g and 1.8 g of sugars per 33 g serving. The flavours listed: Salted Caramel, Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate Cookies and Hazel Nutter.

The ingredient list for the milk chocolate version is short: vegetable oil (rapeseed and palm), maltitol as the sweetener, whey protein concentrate, skimmed milk powder, 7% fat-reduced cocoa, lecithins as the emulsifier and natural vanilla flavouring. The manufacturer describes its palm oil as sustainable; we report that statement exactly as it publishes it, without having verified it.

The principle is easy to grasp: the sugar in a conventional spread is replaced by a polyol, and part of the dry matter by milk protein. What you end up with is still a spread — fatty, dense, calorie-rich — and that is the first thing to take on board. The British brand's full range is in our Grenade section, and the category as a whole under protein snacks.

What does a 33 g serving contain?

These values relate to the milk chocolate version. The manufacturer indicates that they vary slightly from one flavour to another; the net weight of the jar is not included in the data supplied, so we cannot work out the number of servings.

The line that explains this entire product is the one for polyols: 29 g per 100 g. Maltitol takes the place that sugar would occupy in an ordinary spread, and that is what brings the sugars down to 5.6 g per 100 g, against around thirty grams for a supermarket product. The gap is real and verifiable.

But read the line above it: 520 kcal and 38 g of fat per 100 g. A conventional spread sits at around 540 kcal. In other words, the sugar has changed, not the calorie density. This product solves a sugar problem, not a calorie problem, and you should buy it knowing that.

One point of regulatory vocabulary is worth stating plainly. The 20 g of protein account for 80 kcal out of the product's 520, or 15.4% of the energy value. The threshold for the “source of protein” claim is 12%: it is cleared. The threshold for “high protein” is 20%: it is not. This spread is therefore a source of protein, not a high-protein spread, and the distinction is not cosmetic. The wording that may be used remains: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass.

How should you use Protein Spread?

Dose: 33 g, or roughly two heaped teaspoons. Base: wholemeal bread, pancakes, rice cakes, a bowl of oats. Timing: breakfast or as a snack. Frequency: one serving a day is a sensible benchmark. Duration: none, it is a food; use within three months of opening.

Storage calls for two specific habits, and they are not optional. Keep the jar between 15 and 22 °C and above all do not put it in the fridge: in the cold the spread hardens and becomes impossible to spread. And stir before use: oil separating out at the surface is normal in a spread with no stabilising additive, and it blends back in with thirty seconds of a spoon.

On the serving size, a word of honesty. Thirty-three grams is not much — two teaspoons. Eating it with a spoon straight from the jar, you go past 60 or 80 g very quickly, which is 300 to 400 kcal. The one habit that changes everything: serve yourself onto a plate rather than eating over the jar.

In the kitchen it takes a few seconds of heating quite happily, for drizzling over protein pancakes or a bowl of oats. It also works into a cake batter, bearing in mind that polyols cope poorly with long baking at high temperatures.

Who is this spread for, and who is it not for?

It suits those who like something sweet at breakfast and are looking to bring their sugars down without giving up the pleasure. It also suits those following a flexible diet who would rather build a treat in than cave in on a whole jar on a Sunday evening.

It contains MILK, in two forms: whey protein concentrate and skimmed milk powder. Traces of GLUTEN, SOYA and NUTS are possible. It is therefore suitable neither for vegans nor for people allergic to milk proteins.

The most important statement concerns the polyols: excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. That sentence is mandatory from 10% polyols onwards, and at 29 g per 100 g we are a very long way above that. In practice: a 33 g serving delivers 10 g of maltitol, which most people tolerate without any trouble. Three servings in a day, or 30 g of polyols, and many will have an unpleasant time of it. If you are affected by irritable bowel syndrome, serious caution is called for.

What you should not expect from it, and this is the most useful point on this page: it is not a weight-loss product. At 520 kcal per 100 g, it sits at the level of a conventional spread. Nor is it a source of protein in the sense you have in mind: 7 g per serving does not replace a shake, and you would have to eat 125 g of it — 650 kcal — to match the protein in a serving of whey. What it does well is replace a sweet spread with the same thing containing far fewer sugars. Nothing more, and that is already useful.

Protein spread or peanut butter?

This is the comparison that settles it, and it is closer than it looks.

A plain peanut butter generally provides 25 to 30 g of protein per 100 g, with no sweetener, no polyol and a single ingredient. It is the better choice if your priority is a simple composition or the protein content, and if your gut does not cope with polyols. Its calories, on the other hand, are higher still, around 600 kcal per 100 g, and it tastes nothing like chocolate.

Protein Spread wins on one front only, but it is the one that triggers the purchase: it answers a craving for something sweet, which a plain peanut butter does not. If your problem is the spread in the cupboard at 30 g of sugars per 100 g, this is a direct and effective replacement. If your problem is your calorie total for the day, neither one will solve it, and you should be looking at zero-sugar jam, which is far less dense. For a genuine protein snack, it is our protein bars or a protein shake you should choose, not a spread.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really lower in calories than a conventional spread?

Barely. This product comes in at 520 kcal per 100 g, a supermarket spread at around 540. The real difference is in the sugars — 5.6 g against around thirty grams — not in the calories. Buy it for that reason, not to lose weight.

What is maltitol, and is it a problem?

It is a polyol, a bulk sweetener that replaces sugar by volume. At 29 g per 100 g, the regulatory statement applies: excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. A 33 g serving delivers 10 g of polyols, generally well tolerated; three servings in a day, much less so.

How much protein is there in a serving?

Seven grams per 33 g of spread. It is a top-up, not a main source: you would have to eat 125 g of it to equal a serving of whey, or 650 kcal. Treat those 7 g as a bonus on a slice of toast, not as a building block of your daily protein total.

Should it be kept in the fridge?

Definitely not, and it is the instruction most often ignored. The manufacturer asks that the jar be kept between 15 and 22 °C: in the cold the spread hardens and becomes impossible to spread. Use within three months of opening.

Why is there oil floating on the surface?

It is natural separation, flagged by the manufacturer, and not a fault. Stir the spread with a spoon before each use to blend the oil back in. A spread that never separates generally contains more stabilisers.

Is it suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

For vegetarians yes, for vegans no. The formula contains whey protein concentrate and skimmed milk powder, two dairy ingredients. Nor is it suitable in cases of milk protein allergy.

Do the flavours all have the same values?

No, the manufacturer states that the figures vary slightly from recipe to recipe: the table on this page relates to the milk chocolate version. Hazel Nutter and White Chocolate Cookies differ more, the former because of its nut content. Refer to the label on the jar you receive.

Where can you buy Grenade Protein Spread?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is a cupboard product rather than a supplement: it keeps for three months after opening, so there is no point stockpiling five jars.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is one of the aisles where we talk people out of buying more often than we sell. The question we ask is always the same: how often do you open the jar? One serving a day is a well-managed treat; three is 500 kcal and 30 g of polyols, and that is no longer the same product at all.

What is Himalaya Liv.52?

Himalaya Liv.52 is a food supplement in tablet form, sold in bottles of 100. Its formula combines six plants from the Ayurvedic tradition with a traditional mineral preparation. Himalaya states that the formula has been on the market since 1955.

One point has to be made at the outset, because it governs everything else on this page. In India, Liv.52 is registered as an Ayurvedic medicine and carries the corresponding indications. In France and in the European Union, it is placed on the market as a food supplement. These are two different regulatory statuses, with two different levels of evidence and two different communication regimes. The Indian indications do not transfer here, and we will not be repeating them. So you will find on this page no promise of any effect on the liver, on digestion or on elimination: we describe a composition, a method of use and a set of precautions.

The rest of the brand's range is gathered in the Himalaya collection, alongside our other plant-based supplements such as turmeric and ashwagandha.

What does one Liv.52 tablet contain?

Here is the list of declared active components, with their botanical name and, where one exists, their traditional Ayurvedic name.

The last column is the most important thing on this page. No amount per tablet is disclosed to us, for any of the seven components. We therefore cannot give you a dosage in milligrams, a standardisation percentage or a degree of standardisation, and we refuse to write those words while the figures are not on the table. A formula whose dosages are not published cannot be compared with another on any serious basis: that is a fact, and you need to know it before buying.

The declared excipients are microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate and talc. The tablet may contain traces of gluten depending on manufacturing conditions. This product provides no vitamin or mineral declared with a nutrient reference value: that is why this page carries no conventional nutrition table.

How do you take Liv.52?

• Dose: 2 tablets per intake, for an adult.
• Volume of liquid: a large glass of water.
• Timing: with meals, morning and evening.
• Frequency: 2 intakes a day, so 4 tablets a day.
• Duration: the stated duration is a period of 6 to 8 weeks, repeatable.

At 4 tablets a day, a bottle of 100 tablets covers 25 days. So allow two bottles to see out a six-week period, and a little more for eight. Do not exceed the stated dose: with a product whose unit dosages are not published, increasing your intake on your own initiative makes no sense at all.

Who is Liv.52 not suitable for, and why refer you to a doctor?

It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and it must not be used in case of a known allergy to any of its components. It is not intended for children. Given the possible traces of gluten, the formula is not suitable for people with coeliac disease.

The decisive point lies elsewhere. If you are looking for this product because a blood test has worried you, because a doctor has picked something up about your liver, or because you have symptoms, this food supplement is not the answer and this page cannot help you. A liver disorder is diagnosed and monitored medically. Taking a supplement instead of seeing a doctor means delaying a diagnosis — and that is the only real risk we have to tell you about here. Go and see your doctor.

The same instruction applies if you are on any medication whatsoever, or if you have a known condition: ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before you start. Interactions between plant extracts and medicines do exist, they are poorly documented for this formula, and that is one more reason to put the question to a professional rather than to an online shop.

Finally, what you should not expect from it: this product does not offset alcohol consumption, does not “cleanse” anything, and is no substitute for a varied and balanced diet, for a healthy lifestyle, or for medical advice.

Liv.52 or a supplement whose effect is authorised in Europe?

Here is the honest comparison, and it deserves to be read before you order.

In Europe, health claims relating to plants are, for the vast majority of them, awaiting evaluation by EFSA: none is authorised for the plants in this formula. That does not mean they have no effect; it means that nobody has the right to assert an effect, in the absence of an evaluated dossier. So we stick to the description.

If you want a supplement whose effect is established and whose formulation is authorised, choose instead a product whose label carries quantified nutrients with their percentage of the nutrient reference value. A multivitamin, a magnesium, a vitamin D or an omega 3 falls within that framework: their authorised wordings are set by Regulation 432/2012, and you know exactly what you are taking and in what amount.

If it is precisely this Ayurvedic formula you are after, because you know it from elsewhere or by personal choice, here it is, described as it stands, with no promises added. That is a trade-off that belongs to you, and it is better made knowingly.

Frequently asked questions

Do Liv52, Liv 52 and Liv.52 refer to the same product?

Yes. All three spellings point to the same Himalaya reference. The difference is purely a matter of punctuation in the way the name is typed.

What is the dosage in milligrams of each plant?

It is not disclosed to us, and we will not invent it. No unit amount appears in the manufacturer data we hold. If that figure is decisive for you, ask Himalaya directly before buying.

How long does one bottle last?

Twenty-five days at the stated dosage of 4 tablets a day. A period of 6 to 8 weeks therefore calls for two bottles, or slightly more.

Is Liv.52 a medicine?

No, not in France. Here it is sold as a food supplement. Its status as an Ayurvedic medicine in India confers no equivalent status in the European Union, and the indications attached to that Indian status do not apply here.

What is the Mandur bhasma in the formula?

It is a mineral preparation from the Ayurvedic tradition, not a plant extract. Its exact nature and its amount are not disclosed to us. That is a further reason to seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you are on any treatment.

Can it be taken at the same time as a medicine?

That question is not settled on a product page. Put it to your doctor or your pharmacist, who know your treatment. The manufacturer itself asks for professional advice if you are taking medication.

Does it contain gluten or allergens?

The manufacturer flags possible traces of gluten depending on manufacturing conditions. No other allergen is declared in the data available to us. Check the labelling on the bottle you receive, which is what counts.

Can it be taken continuously all year round?

The stated duration is 6 to 8 weeks, repeatable — which is not the same thing as permanent use. If you are considering prolonged use, discuss it with your doctor.

Where can you buy Himalaya Liv.52?

Liv.52 is available on this page in bottles of 100 tablets, and in our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier. It is a product we would rather talk about before selling: the first question we ask across the counter is whether a doctor has been consulted, and depending on the answer, we sometimes advise against buying it.

We ship throughout France and Europe.

What is Ingredients Superfood sweet potato powder?

It is a dehydrated sweet potato flour with a single ingredient: white sweet potato, and nothing else. No flavouring, no sweetener, no preservative, no colouring. The list runs to three words, and on this type of product that is exactly what you want.

The manufacturer sets out its method: a white sweet potato variety, a pass through one-micron membranes which it calls microfiltration, then low-temperature dehydration. We report these statements as it publishes them. What matters in practice is that you get a fine powder, not a flaked purée.

The formats available: 1 kg and 2.3 kg. At the recommended 50 g serving, that works out at 20 and 46 servings respectively. The product joins our carbohydrate source sections, alongside cream of rice and oat flour. The brand is listed with us in the Ingredient Superfood section.

What does a 50 g serving contain?

* Column calculated from the values declared per 100 g, as the manufacturer does not publish a per-serving column. The energy value is given only in kilocalories, with no kilojoule equivalent, and the fibre content is published as a range rather than a fixed value: we reproduce it as it stands.

The figure that deserves your attention is 8 to 10 g of fibre per 100 g. The regulatory threshold for the "high fibre" claim is 6 g per 100 g: it is cleared, and comfortably so. That is what really sets this powder apart from a maltodextrin or a cream of rice, which provide practically none. Fibre means slower digestion and longer-lasting satiety — an advantage at breakfast, and a drawback thirty minutes before a session.

Second figure, and it goes the other way: 11.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That is frankly more than a cream of rice, which sits at around 0.3 g. Nothing abnormal — sweet potato is a naturally sweet vegetable, and that sugar is not added, it comes from the root. But if you are watching your simple sugars, the line is there and you need to see it. The manufacturer also states a glycaemic index of between 46 and 60; we report that figure as manufacturer data, since no European standard governs how it is measured.

Finally, one point that matters. The manufacturer mentions the presence of vitamins A, B6, B9 and C, copper, manganese, potassium and carotenoids, without publishing the quantities. Without figures, there is no way to check the 15% of the NRV threshold that governs any claim: we will therefore make none for these nutrients, and we will not present them as a selling point. 4.5 g of protein per 100 g, to finish: this is not a protein source, and it should not be counted as one.

How do you use sweet potato flour?

Serving: 50 g per serving, 50 to 100 g depending on your energy needs. Liquid: 150 ml per 50 g of powder, to be adjusted to the texture you want. Timing: in the morning, or 1 to 2 hours before exercise, or after the session. Frequency: 1 to 2 servings a day. Duration: none, it is a food.

Three uses, as the manufacturer gives them. As pancakes: 50 g of flour mixed with 3 whole eggs, cooked 2 to 3 minutes per side in a non-stick pan. This is the most common and the most successful use — sweet potato brings a natural sweetness that almost removes the need to add sugar. As a smoothie: 45 g of powder, 30 g of protein powder and 150 ml of plant-based milk, in a blender. In baking: replace up to 80% of the traditional flour in a cake, muffins or cookies, reducing the liquids slightly — the powder absorbs more.

On timing, a common-sense remark that is worth more than a protocol: fibre slows digestion. Allow 1 to 2 hours before exercise, not twenty minutes, or you will set off running on a full stomach. After the session, on the other hand, the lack of urgency is not a problem, and pairing it with a protein works very well.

Start with small amounts if you are not used to high-fibre foods: going from 0 to 10 g of extra fibre a day in one step does get noticed. Finally, keep the bag in an airtight container, somewhere cool, dry and away from light — a dehydrated powder takes up moisture easily.

Who is this powder for, and who is it not for?

It suits those who struggle to eat enough carbohydrate, those who cook and want a neutral base, and those looking for an energy source more filling than a sugar powder. It also suits vegetarians and vegans, as its composition contains no ingredient of animal origin.

The product is naturally gluten-free, since sweet potato contains none. The manufacturer does point out, however, that traces of other allergens are possible depending on production conditions: in the case of coeliac disease or a severe allergy, read the label on the bag you receive.

It does not suit you if you are looking for a fast-absorbing carbohydrate around exercise. The 8 to 10 g of fibre, its strength at breakfast, become a handicap during a session or just before it: that is the job of a maltodextrin, not this one. Nor does it suit you if you have a sensitive gut and you introduce 100 g at once — bloating guaranteed.

What you should not expect from it: this is not a weight-loss product. 172 kcal per 50 g serving is energy, and energy that is easy to drink or to cook with, which is precisely the opposite of what you are after in a strict deficit. Nor is it a protein source, or a vitamin supplement: the micronutrients present are not quantified, and we will not sell them to you as a selling point.

Sweet potato or cream of rice?

Both are powdered carbohydrate sources, in the same calorie range — 343 kcal against around 366 kcal per 100 g. The choice comes down to three very concrete differences.

Fibre. 8 to 10 g here, next to nothing for cream of rice. That is sweet potato's decisive argument: it fills you up, it lasts longer, and it turns a breakfast into a real meal. It is also what rules it out around immediate exercise.

Sugars. 11.7 g against around 0.3 g. Cream of rice is almost entirely starch, which makes it unbeatable if you are watching your simple sugars or if you are looking for a neutral carbohydrate to stack in large amounts during a bulk.

Taste. Sweet potato has a taste, and it is rather pleasant — a natural sweetness that goes very well with cinnamon, vanilla or chocolate. Plain cream of rice has almost no taste at all, which is an advantage if you want full control over your preparations.

Cream of rice is therefore the better choice before and after training, and during a bulk when you have to get a lot of carbohydrate down without filling up. Sweet potato is the better choice at breakfast, as a snack, and in every cooked preparation where taste counts. Plenty of people end up with both in the cupboard, and that is not a bad call.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference from fresh sweet potato?

Convenience, essentially. You do not have to peel it, cook it, or wait forty minutes for the oven. 50 g of powder mixes in thirty seconds. In return, dehydration concentrates the values: 100 g of powder does not correspond to 100 g of fresh tuber, but to considerably more.

Can it be eaten raw, without cooking?

The manufacturer suggests a smoothie use, so without cooking, with 45 g of powder per 150 ml of liquid. The texture is fine. That said, it is in pancakes or in baking that this product is at its best: cooking develops the sweet potato flavour, which stays discreet when cold.

How many servings are in a bag?

Twenty 50 g servings in the 1 kg format, forty-six in the 2.3 kg format. If you use 100 g a day, the large format covers a little over three weeks. The small format remains the right choice for a first try.

Does the product contain added sugar?

No. The 11.7 g of sugars per 100 g come solely from the sweet potato itself, which is a naturally sweet vegetable. The composition has only one ingredient, with no sweetener and no added sugar. That is also why you rarely need to sweeten your preparations.

Can it be mixed with whey?

Yes, it is even one of the suggested uses: 45 g of powder and 30 g of protein in 150 ml of plant-based milk. Prepare it in a blender rather than a shaker, as the powder is thicker than a cream of rice. If you cook it hot, add the protein at the end of the preparation: poured into a boiling liquid, a whey can curdle.

Is it suitable for coeliacs?

Sweet potato naturally contains no gluten. The manufacturer does not, however, claim a certified "gluten-free" designation in the data available to us, and it reports possible traces of other allergens depending on production conditions. In the case of coeliac disease, check the label on the bag you receive.

Exactly how much fibre per serving?

Between 4 and 5 g for a 50 g serving, based on the range of 8 to 10 g per 100 g declared by the manufacturer. That range is not a publishing failure: the content of a plant product varies from one harvest to the next. We prefer to reproduce it as it stands rather than announce a false precision.

Where to buy sweet potato powder?

The formats can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe.

The 2.3 kg format is a serious commitment for a product whose taste, discreet though it is, does not appeal to everyone. Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, is the place to start with the 1 kg bag before moving up to the large one — and to ask the only question that really counts here: is it for breakfast or for training? Depending on the answer, this is not necessarily the product we will recommend to you. The rest of the section can be compared in our sports nutrition.

What is IO Genix ALC1000?

IO Genix ALC1000 is a single-ingredient supplement: one vegetable capsule provides 1,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine, and nothing beyond the shell. The bottle holds 60 capsules, which is two months at one serving a day. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section.

Carnitine is a molecule the body makes for itself from two amino acids, lysine and methionine, and which the diet supplies mainly through red meat. Its physiological role is well described: it carries long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, where they are oxidised. That is the mechanism, and it is not disputed.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is the acetylated form of that molecule. The difference is not cosmetic: adding the acetyl group changes the way it moves around the body, and this is the form that crosses the blood-brain barrier most readily. That is why it is usually the one chosen when the aim is something other than fat metabolism alone.

What does one ALC1000 capsule contain?

The manufacturer does not publish energy values for this product, and the question makes little sense for a capsule of this size.

1,000 mg per capsule is a generous dose and it is a single serving. That is what sets this product apart from most of its category: many carnitine supplements require three or four capsules a day to reach the gram, which multiplies the chances of forgetting. Here, one capsule in the morning and it is done.

The second notable point is the brevity of the formula: one active, one vegetable shell, nothing else. No bulking agent, no colouring, no declared anti-caking agent. In a category where you find fifteen-line lists, this is a label you can read in three seconds, and that is a genuine deciding factor.

We must, however, say what the law allows us to write, because it is essential with this family of products. No health claim is authorised in Europe for carnitine, in any form whatsoever. Not on fat burning, not on energy, not on performance, not on cognitive function. The mechanism of fatty acid transport is real and taught; the effect of oral supplementation in someone who is not deficient, however, has not convinced the European assessors. So we can describe the molecule and its dose; we cannot promise you anything.

One last point on wording: the manufacturer presents the product as “100% natural”. The acetyl-L-carnitine sold commercially is obtained by synthesis or by fermentation, and that phrasing strikes us as questionable. We are not repeating it. What is true and verifiable is that there is no additive in the capsule.

Ingredient list

Acetyl-L-carnitine 1,000 mg, vegetable capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose). Gluten-free, lactose-free. Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, as synthetic carnitine is not of animal origin.

How do you take ALC1000?

Serving: 1 capsule. Liquid: a glass of water, 200 ml is enough. Timing: in the morning on an empty stomach, or before physical activity. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer describes cycles of two to three months, with the option of continuous use.

Avoid taking it in the evening. The manufacturer points this out and it is the most useful piece of advice on this page: acetyl-L-carnitine can interfere with falling asleep in some users. The morning is the default slot; before training works too, provided you are not training at 21:00.

Taking it on an empty stomach is recommended in order to limit competition with the amino acids from a meal, as carnitine uses comparable transporters. It is not an absolute requirement: if an empty stomach bothers you, taking it after a light breakfast is still better than giving up.

Consistency matters more than the exact timing. The manufacturer states that the first noticeable effects, if there are any, appear after two to four weeks of continuous use. A trial of a few days allows no conclusion, in either direction.

Drink normally through the day. And be aware that this product combines without difficulty with coenzyme Q10 or with omega 3, which act on neighbouring steps of energy metabolism — with none of the three duplicating another.

Who is ALC1000 for, and who is it not for?

It suits an adult who wants to try a single active, properly dosed, without going through a combined formula in which they will never know which ingredient is doing the work. It suits vegetarians and vegans particularly well: their diet supplies very little carnitine, red meat being the main source, and that is the profile for which an extra intake makes the most sense.

The manufacturer asks that you seek the advice of a healthcare professional in the event of pregnancy, breastfeeding or ongoing medical treatment, and rules the product out in the event of hypersensitivity to any of its components. It must be kept out of reach of children.

It is not for you if you are looking for a product with an immediate effect: there is nothing to feel when you take it, and that is normal. Nor is it for you if your goal is weight loss — we come to that in the next paragraph, and it is the subject on which this category tells the most stories.

What you should not expect from it: carnitine does not melt fat away. The fact that a molecule carries fatty acids to the mitochondria does not mean that adding more speeds anything up: in someone eating a normal diet, that transport is not the limiting factor. That is precisely why no claim has been validated. Fat loss comes from a calorie deficit, and nothing else. If you buy this product thinking it will replace a deficit, you will be disappointed, and we would rather say so beforehand.

Acetyl-L-carnitine or L-carnitine tartrate?

These are the two forms found on the shelves, and they are not interchangeable.

L-carnitine tartrate is the most common form in fat burner capsules and in training drinks. It is cheaper, it dissolves well, and it is the one most often used in protocols dealing with exercise and recovery. It is the better choice if your use is strictly sporting and if you take it around your sessions.

Acetyl-L-carnitine crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily thanks to its acetyl group. It is the form chosen when the interest lies somewhere other than muscle. It costs more per gram, and it is taken as a capsule rather than a powder. It is the better choice if you want a single active, additive-free, in one daily serving.

Neither of the two has an authorised claim in Europe: on that score, they are level. The choice therefore comes down to form, dose and use, not to a promise. If your goal is to structure a calorie deficit, the weight loss section brings together all the products in that family, and the caffeine-free formulas avoid adding a stimulant to an already busy day.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference from standard L-carnitine?

Acetyl-L-carnitine carries an additional acetyl group, which changes how it moves around the body and lets it cross the blood-brain barrier more readily. L-carnitine tartrate, more common and cheaper, is the one found in fat burners and training drinks. These are two different uses for the same family of molecules.

When should you take it?

In the morning on an empty stomach, or before physical activity. Avoid taking it in the evening: the manufacturer points out that it can affect sleep in some people. As with any active with a gradual effect, the hour matters less than the consistency.

How long does a bottle last?

Two months, at one capsule a day for 60 capsules. That matches exactly the cycles of two to three months described by the manufacturer. One bottle therefore covers a full course, with nothing left over and nothing missing.

Does it make you lose weight?

No, and no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe. Carnitine carries fatty acids to the mitochondria, but that transport is not the limiting factor in someone who is properly fed. Fat loss results from a calorie deficit. This product is no substitute for it.

Is this product suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, and it is in fact the profile for which it holds the most interest. The shell is made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, of plant origin, and the carnitine sold commercially is not of animal origin. And a vegetarian diet supplies very little carnitine, red meat being the main dietary source.

Can it be taken continuously?

The manufacturer indicates that it can, while also describing cycles of two to three months. In practice, one bottle corresponds to one cycle, and taking a break between two lets you check whether stopping changes anything — which remains the only honest way to assess a product with no authorised claim.

Are there any additives in the capsule?

None in the published information: one active and one vegetable shell, that is the whole list. The product is also declared gluten-free and lactose-free. In a category where the excipients often take up more room than the active, that is a concrete argument.

Where can you buy IO Genix ALC1000?

The bottle of 60 capsules can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we sell mainly to vegetarian customers, and rarely to those who come in looking for a fat burner: it is not one, and saying so avoids a disappointment. The rest of the category can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix AMINO 10?

IO Genix AMINO 10 is an essential amino acid powder to be mixed with liquid, whose 20 g serving — two scoops — provides 10 g of EAAs. All nine essential amino acids are present, each with its exact dose. That is the difference between an EAA product and a plain BCAA: BCAAs provide only three of them.

The list is short: instant EAA blend, maltodextrin, citric acid, flavouring, silicon dioxide, sucralose and acesulfame K as sweeteners, and pyridoxine hydrochloride for the vitamin B6. The word “instant” is not decorative — raw amino acids have a reputation for being hard to dissolve, and instantising genuinely changes how comfortable the product is to use.

The flavours available: Cranberry, Lime and Raspberry. The product joins our EAA and IO Genix sections.

What does a 20 g serving contain?

The manufacturer publishes no energy value, no macronutrient breakdown and no net weight for the tub: we therefore cannot state the number of servings per pack, and we will not estimate it. The information is on the packaging.

What makes this table interesting is that it is complete — all nine amino acids are quantified individually, and the sum comes to exactly 10,000 mg. Many products in this category simply announce a total. Two figures deserve attention. The three BCAAs total 6,260 mg (leucine, valine, isoleucine), close to two thirds of the blend. And leucine alone accounts for 3,060 mg: it is the most studied amino acid for protein synthesis, and 3 g matches the amount found in the reference protocols.

As for claims, only one is authorised here, and it concerns the vitamin: vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism, as well as to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. For the amino acids themselves, no claim exists in European regulation — neither on muscle building nor on recovery. So what we describe is a composition and a use, not an effect.

How do you prepare AMINO 10?

Dose: 20 g, that is 2 scoops of roughly 20 cc. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of water or juice. Timing: 30 minutes before training, or during the session; on rest days, in the morning on an empty stomach. Frequency: once a day. Duration: the manufacturer sets out neither a course nor a break — there is no reason to impose one on an amino acid product.

Shake vigorously: the powder is instantised and dissolves without lumps, but free amino acids need a little mechanical energy to get going. Made up with juice rather than water, the drink goes down better — EAAs are naturally bitter, and acidity helps mask it.

A word on timing. Drinking amino acids during a session makes sense in one specific situation: a fasted session, or a very long one, with no meal in the preceding hours. If you ate two hours beforehand and your daily protein intake is covered, an extra 10 g of EAAs does not add much. Better to say so plainly than to sell you one more shaker.

The product is compatible with creatine or a glutamine in the same shaker, if you want to simplify your routine.

Who is AMINO 10 for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at those who train fasted in the morning, at those who do long sessions with no meal in between, and at those who want something to sip during training rather than plain water. It also suits people who struggle to digest protein powder during a session.

Two specific contraindications appear on the label, and they are more serious than average. This supplement must not be taken by people on antidepressant treatment — the presence of L-tryptophan, a serotonin precursor, is the reason. It must also not be taken in cases of kidney failure: an intake of free amino acids increases the nitrogen load to be cleared. It is not recommended for children or pregnant women. If you are on any medical treatment whatsoever, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before use.

On allergens, the product may contain traces of GLUTEN (wheat and oats), NUTS, PEANUT, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA. Keep it tightly closed, in a cool, dry place.

What not to expect from it: a substitute for protein. 10 g of EAAs does not replace 25 g of whey, and it does not count the same way towards a daily protein total. Nor is it an energy product: no stimulant, no carbohydrate in any useful quantity. And if your diet already supplies enough protein, adding EAAs will make no measurable difference — that is the least saleable truth in this category.

AMINO 10 or BCAAs?

The question comes up constantly at the counter, and it deserves a clear answer.

BCAAs remain a defensible choice in two cases: price, generally lower per kilo, and habit — if you have been taking them for years and the product suits you, nothing obliges you to switch. They provide three amino acids, leucine, valine and isoleucine, often in a 2:1:1 or 8:1:1 ratio.

AMINO 10 provides all nine essential amino acids, including the three BCAAs at a level of 6,260 mg. The difference is not cosmetic: the other six — lysine, threonine, phenylalanine, histidine, methionine, tryptophan — cannot be made by the body either, and complete protein synthesis requires them all. A product that provides only three leaves the rest to your diet. In practice, if you eat enough protein it makes little difference; if you train fasted or in a substantial deficit, a complete EAA has the edge. To cover your basic needs it is, in any case, the protein section you should turn to first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EAAs and BCAAs?

BCAAs cover three branched-chain amino acids; EAAs cover nine, the BCAAs included. In this formula, the BCAAs account for 6,260 mg of the 10,000 mg total. The other six essentials complete the profile, which a BCAA on its own does not do.

How many servings are in a tub?

The net weight does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work it out. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 20 g to get the number of servings.

Can you take it on rest days?

The manufacturer suggests you can, in the morning on an empty stomach, to keep intake regular. Our view is more nuanced: if your diet covers your protein needs, a serving on rest days brings nothing measurable. Save the product for your sessions, that is where it earns its place.

Why is it contraindicated with antidepressants?

Because of the 280 mg of L-tryptophan per serving. Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin, and supplementing may interact with treatments acting on that pathway. The manufacturer states it explicitly: if you are on that kind of treatment, this product is not for you.

Does the powder dissolve well?

Yes, the blend is instantised. Untreated free amino acids have a reputation for floating and forming lumps; here, a vigorously shaken shaker is enough. A slight deposit at the bottom of the glass is still possible, with no consequence.

Can it be mixed with creatine?

Yes, without difficulty. The manufacturer states it is compatible with creatine, glutamine or a protein in the same shaker. Just watch the taste: an unflavoured creatine goes down very well, a chocolate protein with a cranberry flavour, far less so.

Which flavour should you choose?

The three available are Cranberry, Lime and Raspberry, all in a tart register. That is a coherent choice: acidity covers the natural bitterness of amino acids. Lime is the most refreshing in very cold water, Cranberry the most widely liked.

Where can you buy IO Genix AMINO 10?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is a product on which we readily ask one question before selling: when do you plan to drink it. The answer determines whether it will be useful to you or merely pleasant.

In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the IO Genix range is fully on the shelf, and comparing an EAA label with a BCAA label takes two minutes. The whole section can be browsed from sports nutrition.

What is IO Genix Arginine Kyowa?

IO Genix Arginine Kyowa is a pure L-arginine powder. One level 3 g scoop provides 3,000 mg of L-arginine, and the only other component in the tub is an anti-caking agent. The manufacturer states 100 servings per container, which works out at roughly three months of use at one serving a day.

L-arginine is what is known as a semi-essential amino acid: the body can produce it, but not always in sufficient quantities depending on age and state of health. Food supplies it too, chiefly through meat, fish, nuts and pulses. It is also the substrate from which the body makes nitric oxide, a messenger involved in regulating the diameter of the blood vessels.

The Kyowa Quality designation on the label refers to the origin of the raw material: an amino acid produced by plant fermentation by a specialist Japanese supplier. It is a traceability claim made by the manufacturer, not a promise of efficacy — we report it as such. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our L-arginine section.

What does one serving of Arginine Kyowa contain?

3 g of arginine per serving is a straightforward dose for a single-ingredient product. The most telling comparison is not with another supplement but with your plate: it takes roughly 150 g of chicken breast or a large handful of peanuts to come close to that amount. The difference is that the powder arrives on its own, without the calories and without the meal that goes with them.

The tub contains nothing beyond the amino acid and an anti-caking agent, which is both its appeal and its limitation. The appeal: you know exactly what you are taking, and you can adjust the dose to the gram. The limitation: with no flavouring and no sweetener, pure arginine tastes bitter and slightly soapy. In 200 ml of cold water it goes down; in juice, or mixed into a flavoured booster, you stop noticing it altogether.

One point needs to be clear on the regulatory side: no health claim is authorised in Europe for L-arginine. Not on circulation, not on the pump, not on growth hormone, not on the body's defences. The previous version of this page asserted several of these effects and mentioned a certification guaranteeing maximum purity: those passages have been removed. Arginine's role as a precursor of nitric oxide is an established fact of biochemistry; what oral supplementation actually produces in a healthy adult is another question, and one that has no validated answer at European level.

Ingredients list

L-arginine (Kyowa Quality), anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide).

May contain traces of GLUTEN (wheat), EGG, MILK, FISH and SOYA.

How do you take Arginine Kyowa?

Serving: 3 g, that is one level measuring scoop. Liquid: 200 to 300 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before training, preferably on an empty stomach. Frequency: 1 to 2 servings a day according to the manufacturer. Duration: the manufacturer sets no fixed course length; the 100-serving tub covers more than three months at one serving a day.

Taking it away from meals is not a minor detail. The amino acids in a full meal compete with arginine for the same intestinal transporters. Taking it on a heavy stomach is not dangerous, it is simply less effective. Thirty minutes before the session, on a light stomach, is the window that makes the most sense.

Mix vigorously: the powder dissolves well but can form clumps if you only stir it with a spoon. And increase your water intake across the day, as the manufacturer recommends.

Two servings a day are possible according to the label, but start with one. At high doses and on an empty stomach, arginine causes digestive discomfort in some people — bloating, loosened transit. It is neither serious nor common at 3 g, but it is the reason it is better to build up gradually rather than starting at 6 g on day one.

It combines without difficulty with citrulline, creatine monohydrate or a beta-alanine powder, in the same glass and with no known interaction.

Who is arginine right for, and who is it not right for?

It appeals to the strength trainer who builds their own pre-workout, ingredient by ingredient, rather than buying a ready-made fifteen-component formula. That is the great advantage of this format: you choose what goes in and at what dose. It also suits anyone looking to top up a diet that is low in animal protein.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and rules it out for under-18s. It also asks you to consult a healthcare professional in case of cardiovascular disorders, antihypertensive treatment or heart disease. That last precaution is the most important on this page: arginine acts on a pathway involved in vascular regulation, and stacking a supplement and a medicine on the same pathway is never trivial. If you are being treated for blood pressure, the question is one for your doctor, not for a retailer.

One other situation calls for caution: people who have had recurrent cold sores sometimes prefer to avoid high doses of arginine, on the basis of a known balance with another amino acid, lysine. This is not a manufacturer contraindication, it is a point to keep in mind and one you can raise with your pharmacist.

What not to expect from it: this is not a stimulant, there is no caffeine here, and you will not feel a kick. It is not a mass-gaining product — for that, it is protein and total calories that decide. And it is not a treatment, whatever the condition concerned.

Arginine or citrulline: which should you choose?

This is the most useful decision in the whole category, and the answer often comes as a surprise.

Arginine taken orally is largely broken down before it even reaches the general circulation, by an intestinal and hepatic enzyme called arginase. This is well established, and it explains why substantial doses are needed to raise blood levels.

Citrulline, on the other hand, largely escapes that first pass and is then converted into arginine in the kidney. The result is paradoxical but documented: at comparable amounts, citrulline raises blood arginine levels more than arginine itself does. If your aim is blood flow during training, citrulline is the more rational choice, and that is what we recommend in store.

Arginine keeps two advantages: it is generally cheaper per gram, and it is the form the body uses directly in the urea cycle and in several other metabolic pathways. Plenty of trainees take the two together, in fact. If what you are mainly after is a product you can feel during the session, neither one will really deliver: look instead at complete pre-workouts.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Kyowa Quality designation mean?

It indicates the origin of the raw material, an amino acid produced by plant fermentation by a Japanese supplier specialising in amino acids. The manufacturer puts it on the label as a matter of traceability. We report it as such: it is information about provenance, not a guarantee of effect.

Should it be taken on an empty stomach?

Preferably on an empty or light stomach, 30 to 45 minutes before the session. The amino acids in a full meal compete with it for the same intestinal transporters. Taking it after a large meal is not pointless, it is simply less effective.

Can you exceed 3 g a day?

The manufacturer allows up to two servings a day depending on your needs. Start with one: at high doses and on an empty stomach, arginine causes digestive discomfort in some people. Building up gradually is the right approach, and do not exceed the daily dose stated on the packaging.

Is the taste bearable?

The powder is unflavoured: it is bitter and a little soapy. In 200 ml of cold water it stays drinkable, if joyless. Mixed into juice, a flavoured drink or an already sweetened pre-workout, it disappears completely.

How many servings are in a tub?

100 servings of 3 g, scoop supplied. At one serving a day, that covers more than three months. It is one of the few products in the category whose container comfortably outlasts a standard training cycle.

Is it compatible with blood pressure medication?

That question is one for your doctor. The manufacturer explicitly asks for professional advice in case of antihypertensive treatment, cardiovascular disorder or heart disease. This is not a boilerplate precaution copied across: arginine acts on a pathway involved in vascular regulation.

Is it suitable for vegetarians?

Yes as regards the raw material, obtained by plant fermentation according to the manufacturer, and the powder has no animal casing since these are not capsules. The product may, however, contain traces of milk, egg and fish linked to the production facility.

Where can you buy IO Genix Arginine Kyowa?

The 100-serving tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues store, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we sell mainly to people who put together their own pre-workout, and the conversation almost always begins with an honest comparison against citrulline. The rest of the category can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Ashwagandha KSM-66?

IO Genix Ashwagandha KSM-66 is a capsule supplement based on a dry ashwagandha root extract (Withania somnifera), standardised to 5% withanolides. The bottle holds 60 capsules for a net weight of 36 g, which is two months of use at one capsule a day.

Ashwagandha is a plant from traditional Indian medicine, grown mainly in India and in Rajasthan. Its Sanskrit name literally means “smell of horse”, in reference to that of its fresh root. It is this root, and not the leaves, that is used here — the distinction matters, as the two parts of the plant have neither the same composition nor the same regulatory framework.

The mention KSM-66 denotes a standardised root extract produced by a specialist Indian supplier. “Standardised to 5% withanolides” means that the concentration of withanolides — the plant's characteristic compounds — is guaranteed to be consistent from one batch to the next. That is genuine quality information: a raw root powder offers no guarantee of the kind. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our ashwagandha section.

What does one Ashwagandha KSM-66 capsule contain?

One figure is missing, and it is the most important one: the manufacturer publishes the standardisation at 5% withanolides, but not the amount of extract per capsule. We will not invent it and we will not deduce it from the net weight, which includes the maltodextrin, the shell and the anti-caking agent. Without that value it is impossible to compare this product precisely with another extract on the market. The label on the bottle you receive is the only reliable source on this point, and that is where to look.

What can be said, on the other hand, is what the standardisation is worth. An extract standardised to 5% withanolides is a serious extract: it is the reference level for this plant, and it guarantees a consistency that raw root powders — often cheaper — never provide. You know that each capsule resembles the last, which is the basic condition for a two-month course.

On the regulatory side, we have to be blunt: no health claim is authorised in Europe for ashwagandha. Not for stress, not for tiredness, not for sleep, not for mental balance, not for performance. The term “adaptogen” itself has no European regulatory standing. A great deal is written about this plant; none of it can appear on a French product page, and we will not be writing any of it.

If your concern is tiredness, be aware that there are ingredients for which claims genuinely are authorised: magnesium and vitamin B6 contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Those are validated wordings, and you will find them in our magnesium and vitamin B sections.

Ingredients list

KSM-66 (dry ashwagandha root extract, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal), maltodextrin, capsule (GELATINE), anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids).

May contain traces of GLUTEN (wheat and oats), NUTS, PEANUTS, EGGS, MILK, SULPHITES, FISH and SOYA.

How do you take Ashwagandha KSM-66?

Serving: 1 capsule. Liquid: a glass of water. Timing: with a meal, morning or evening depending on your routine. Frequency: one serving a day, never more. Duration: 4 to 6 weeks minimum, 2 to 3 months for a full course.

Taking it with a meal is the only technical instruction on this page, and it is justified. A concentrated plant extract goes down better with food than on an empty stomach, and the presence of fat in the meal favours the absorption of the plant's lipophilic compounds. An extract swallowed on an empty stomach is not dangerous, it is simply less well used and sometimes less well tolerated.

Morning or evening: the manufacturer leaves the choice open. In practice, pick the moment you are sure of keeping to every day for two months. A product taken irregularly allows no conclusion at all, and that is where most courses fail — not on the dosage.

The manufacturer puts the minimum at 4 to 6 weeks and the full course at between 2 and 3 months. A 60-capsule bottle covers exactly two months: that is consistent, and it means one bottle equals one course. Do not run courses back to back indefinitely without speaking to a healthcare professional — we explain why just below.

The product does not combine with anything in particular, and that is for the best: introduce it on its own, without changing anything else at the same time. If you are already taking a ZMA or melatonin, wait a fortnight before adding anything, otherwise you will never know what is producing what.

Who is ashwagandha for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at a healthy adult who wants to try a properly standardised plant extract, in one simple daily serving. It is the most convenient format in the category: one capsule, one meal, two months.

The contraindications here are specific and they should be read before buying. The manufacturer advises against the product for pregnant and breastfeeding women without medical advice, requires a compulsory medical consultation in case of hyperthyroidism, and asks that you avoid combining it with sedatives without medical supervision. The product should be kept out of reach of children.

One further element is worth knowing, and it comes from a French authority rather than from the manufacturer. In 2024, ANSES published an opinion on food supplements containing ashwagandha and called for vigilance, notably because of cases of liver damage reported to the nutrivigilance scheme. The agency recommends avoiding the consumption of these supplements in pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and adolescents, and people with a liver or thyroid condition. That is not a reason to give up if you are in good health; it is a reason to respect the dose, not to run courses back to back without advice, and to seek medical advice at the slightest unusual sign.

The capsule is made of gelatine: this product suits neither vegetarians nor vegans. It may also contain traces of gluten, nuts, peanuts, eggs, milk, sulphites, fish and soya.

What you should not expect from it: it is neither a sleeping pill, nor an anxiolytic, nor a treatment. Anxiety that takes hold, lastingly disturbed sleep or unexplained tiredness are matters for a doctor, who will make a diagnosis where a capsule will do nothing. Nor is it a sports performance product.

Ashwagandha or magnesium, which should you choose?

The two cross paths in the same baskets, and one of them is regulated where the other is not.

Magnesium is a mineral with a defined nutrient reference value and several authorised claims, including its contribution to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the normal functioning of the nervous system. Dietary magnesium intakes are frequently insufficient in France, which gives supplementation a clear basis. It is also the cheaper of the two, and the one whose contraindications are the lightest.

Ashwagandha belongs to another category: a concentrated plant extract, with no authorised claim, with real contraindications and a vigilance opinion from a health agency. It makes sense if it is this particular plant that interests you, with full awareness of the facts, and if none of the situations listed above applies to you.

Our advice over the counter is consistent: start with magnesium, on its own, for a month. If the need persists, ashwagandha can come afterwards. Introducing both on the same day will teach you nothing, and stacking a ZMA, a multivitamin complex and a plant extract is expensive for zero information.

Frequently asked questions

What does “standardised to 5% withanolides” mean?

That the concentration of withanolides, the root's characteristic compounds, is guaranteed to be consistent from one batch to the next. It is the reference level for this plant and a genuine mark of regularity, which raw root powders do not offer. It says nothing, however, about the amount of extract per capsule.

How much extract is there per capsule?

The manufacturer does not publish it, and we are not going to guess. The net weight of 36 g for 60 capsules includes the maltodextrin, the shell and the anti-caking agent, and therefore allows no calculation. The label on the bottle you receive is the only reference.

Should it be taken in the morning or in the evening?

The manufacturer leaves the choice open, the only firm instruction being to take it with a meal. Settle on the moment you will keep to every day for two months: regularity counts for far more than the exact hour with this kind of course.

What does ANSES say about ashwagandha?

In an opinion published in 2024, the agency called for vigilance over supplements containing this plant, notably because of reported cases of liver damage. It advises against their consumption by pregnant and breastfeeding women, by children and adolescents, and by people with a liver or thyroid condition.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is made of gelatine, of animal origin. It is a common limitation across this range and there is no plant-based version of this particular product.

How long does one bottle last?

Two months exactly: 60 capsules, one a day. That matches the full course suggested by the manufacturer, who puts the minimum at four to six weeks. One bottle therefore equals one course, which keeps the arithmetic simple.

Can it be combined with a sleeping pill or a sedative?

Not without medical supervision: the manufacturer explicitly asks that you avoid combining it with sedatives. If you are on treatment of that kind, the question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist before the purchase, not after opening the bottle.

Where can you buy IO Genix Ashwagandha KSM-66?

The 60-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship all over France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product in front of which we take the time to explain what the regulations forbid us from promising: customers often arrive with expectations formed elsewhere, and it is better to reset them before the purchase than after. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1?

IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1 is a branched-chain amino acid supplement in tablet form, available in a tub of 150 or 300 tablets. It belongs to the BCAA section and to the IO Genix range, a Spanish sports nutrition brand.

The formula combines two things only: the three branched-chain amino acids — L-leucine, L-valine, L-isoleucine — in a stated ratio of 8 to 1 to 1, and vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxine hydrochloride. The rest is there to make the tablet: microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide. No flavouring, no sweetener, no colouring.

The format is the first reason to buy this one rather than another: you swallow it, you do not mix it. No shaker to wash, no bitterness to mask — leucine is markedly bitter, and that is what forces high-ratio powders to load up on sweeteners.

What does one serving of BCAA 8.1.1 contain?

The label is worded for a serving of 5 tablets, which supplies 3,000 mg of BCAAs in total, 1.4 mg of vitamin B6 — that is 100% of the nutrient reference value — for 12 kcal and 3 g of protein. No carbohydrates, no fat.

At the stated 8:1:1 ratio, those 3,000 mg break down into 2,400 mg of L-leucine, 300 mg of L-isoleucine and 300 mg of L-valine — a calculation based on the ratio and the total declared, not on lines read off the label: the manufacturer does not detail the breakdown. Per unit, one tablet supplies 600 mg of BCAAs including 480 mg of leucine. That is the figure that matters when comparing two tubs, well ahead of the ratio printed on the front: the ratio does not create leucine, it redistributes the same grams.

* Breakdown calculated from the 8:1:1 ratio and the total of 3,000 mg declared by the manufacturer. ** No NRV is established for amino acids. The energy value is given by the manufacturer in kilocalories only: the kilojoule equivalent does not appear there and we are not adding it.

Vitamin B6 is the only ingredient for which European claims exist, and dosing it at 100% of the NRV makes them usable: vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism, to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to the normal functioning of the nervous system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Branched-chain amino acids, for their part, have no authorised health claim. Our vitamin B section brings together the other formulas that contain some.

How should IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1 be taken?

The manufacturer recommends 5 tablets a day, swallowed with a large glass of water, roughly 250 ml. It suggests splitting the dose around the session: 2 to 3 tablets 30 minutes before training, 2 to 3 immediately after, or 2 between meals on non-training days. The frequency is therefore one to two servings a day.

On duration, the manufacturer specifies neither a course nor a time limit, and we are not inventing one on its behalf. What can safely be said: free amino acids are absorbed in fifteen to thirty minutes and no loading effect builds up from one day to the next, unlike creatine. A tub of 150 tablets covers 30 servings, the 300-tablet tub covers 60. Taking them in the middle of a meal rather than on an empty stomach reduces the digestive discomfort some people feel with free amino acids.

Who is this BCAA for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at adults who train with resistance work and whose daily protein intake is already adequate. The tablet format makes it practical at the office, while travelling or in the gym without a bottle.

The manufacturer states that the product may contain traces of gluten, egg, milk, fish and soya. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for anyone under 18, and calls for medical advice in the event of liver or kidney disorders, or of any ongoing treatment. Maple syrup urine disease, a rare metabolic condition, contraindicates any intake of branched-chain amino acids. Those questions are for your doctor or your pharmacist.

What not to expect from it: it does not replace a protein source. Three amino acids out of the nine essential ones do not build a muscle protein — lysine, methionine, threonine and three others are missing. If your diet is tight on protein, a serving of whey isolate will do more than this tub, and cost less per gram of amino acids. And to hold up better through a long session in the heat, it is electrolytes that answer the need.

BCAA 8.1.1 or EAAs?

It has to be said even when selling the product: BCAAs have been overtaken by EAAs, which supply all nine essential amino acids instead of three. The protein synthesis signal is sent in both cases; only EAAs also supply the building blocks. And the 8:1:1 ratio has no demonstrated superiority over a 2:1:1 at an equal total amount: beyond the quantity of leucine that triggers the signal, adding more pushes nothing higher.

EAAs are therefore the better choice in three situations: training on an empty stomach, a marked calorie deficit, an insufficient protein intake. Those are the cases where amino acids are missing, not just a signal.

This BCAA keeps two concrete advantages. The format: nothing to mix, nothing to wash, no taste to put up with — EAA powders are considerably harder to drink. And the price per serving, consistently lower. If your diet already covers your protein, those two criteria may be enough to settle it. Otherwise, go for EAAs.

Frequently asked questions

When should BCAA 8.1.1 tablets be taken?

The manufacturer suggests 2 to 3 tablets 30 minutes before the session and 2 to 3 afterwards, five a day in total. A tablet cannot be sipped during exercise the way a powder can: the logic is that of two servings bracketing the workout. Over the course of a day, it is total protein that weighs, not this timing.

Which BCAA should you take, an 8:1:1 or a 2:1:1?

Compare the grams of leucine per serving, not the ratio. This product supplies 2,400 mg per serving according to the stated ratio; a 2:1:1 dosed at 5 g supplies 2,500. No solid data places a high ratio above a 2:1:1 at an equal total amount, and the 2:1:1 reproduces the proportion found in muscle protein.

How long does a tub of 150 tablets last?

Thirty days at the full serving of five tablets a day, sixty for the 300-tablet tub. If you take it only on training days, reckon on roughly twice as long. The manufacturer sets neither a course length nor a compulsory break.

Tablets or powder: what difference does it make in practice?

Taste: leucine is very bitter, and an 8:1:1 powder needs a lot of sweetener to be drinkable — here the question does not arise. Convenience: nothing to measure out, nothing to rinse. And volume, finally: five tablets to swallow against half a litre to drink, which deprives you of the drink if you were counting on it during the session.

Does this BCAA contain allergens?

No allergen goes into the formula, but the manufacturer flags possible traces of gluten, egg, milk, fish and soya linked to the production site. If you have a diagnosed allergy to any of them, this product is not indicated. The formula contains neither flavouring nor sweetener.

Can it be taken at the same time as a whey protein?

Yes, with no interaction, but there is little point: a whey already contains around a quarter of its protein as BCAAs, leucine included. Stacking the two at the same hour amounts to paying twice for the same amino acids. Keep these tablets instead for the moments when a powder is not practical.

Why is there vitamin B6 in a BCAA?

Because it is a cofactor for the enzymes that metabolise amino acids, and because at 1.4 mg per serving, that is 100% of the NRV, it allows the product to carry claims that BCAAs on their own do not have. It does not increase their absorption: the idea circulates, no official source supports it.

Where can you buy IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1?

This page lets you order the 150 and 300 tablet tubs, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this product is recommended by comparison: we set the tub next to a tub of powdered amino acids and work out the leucine per serving and the price per serving in front of you. The conclusion is not always the one you would expect. The rest of the family is in our protein range, and our sports nutrition section puts every product back in its place.

What is IO Genix Berberine Complex?

IO Genix Berberine Complex is a capsule supplement combining just two ingredients: a Berberis vulgaris root extract standardised to 97% berberine, and chromium in picolinate form. The bottle holds 60 capsules, i.e. a 30-day course at two capsules a day.

Berberine is a plant-derived alkaloid, recognisable by its bright yellow colour, found in the bark and roots of barberry. The plant was long used as a dye before finding a place in traditional herbal medicine, in China as in India. It is now one of the most debated plant extracts in the field of metabolism.

The second ingredient, chromium, is a trace element that the diet supplies in very small amounts, mainly through wholegrain cereals, meat and pulses. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our berberine section.

What does a dose of Berberine Complex contain?

This is better said plainly than glossed over: the manufacturer publishes the standardisation of the extract, but neither the amount of extract nor the amount of chromium per capsule. We are not going to invent them. Standardisation to 97% berberine is a useful quality indicator — it points to a very concentrated extract, where many products settle for 5 or 10% — but a percentage without milligrams does not let you work out the dose you are actually swallowing. The label on the bottle you receive is what counts, and that is where you should look.

That gap has a direct bearing on what we can write about the chromium. The two wordings authorised in Europe for this trace element are “chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels” and “chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism”. They apply only above a minimum threshold per portion, and without a published amount, we cannot verify that the threshold is met. So we are reproducing what the manufacturer puts on its label, without adopting it as our own.

For berberine itself, the position is simpler and clearer: no health claim is authorised in Europe for this molecule. Not for blood glucose, not for weight, not for cholesterol, not for digestive transit. Plenty is written about this extract; none of it may appear on a French product page, and none of it is a substitute for medical advice.

Ingredients list

Berberis vulgaris root extract (97% berberine), chromium picolinate, capsule (GELATINE), anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids). The capsules are declared free from titanium dioxide.

May contain traces of GLUTEN, NUTS, EGG, MILK, FISH and SOYA.

How do you take Berberine Complex?

Dose: 2 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: in the morning, preferably with breakfast. Frequency: one serving a day, do not exceed it. Duration: the manufacturer recommends a course of at least one month, which is exactly what one bottle covers.

Do not take it on an empty stomach. The manufacturer says so, and it is a comfort instruction that genuinely matters here: berberine is poorly tolerated on an empty stomach by a lot of people, with nausea or digestive discomfort as a result. Taken with breakfast, the problem usually disappears.

If you still feel some digestive discomfort in the first few days, take one capsule instead of two for a week before moving up to the full dose. That works better than stopping after three days and concluding that the product does not suit you.

One month is the stated minimum duration, and it is also the length of time one bottle covers. An active ingredient of this kind cannot be judged over a week. That said, do not run courses back to back indefinitely without speaking to a healthcare professional: we return to this in the next section, and it is the most important point on this page.

This product combines without overlap with a multivitamin, an omega 3 or a standardised turmeric. Introduce it on its own, without changing anything else at the same time: that is the only way to know how well you tolerate it.

Who is berberine for, and who is it not for?

The manufacturer is unusually explicit on this point, and its list deserves to be read before purchase rather than after. The product is for healthy adults only. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, not permitted for children or adolescents, and requires medical advice for people with diabetes who are on medication, in cases of liver or heart disorders, and for anyone following a course of medication.

The words “course of medication” are not a turn of phrase, and this is the point we explain to every customer at the counter. Berberine acts on liver enzymes and on intestinal transporters involved in the metabolism of a great many medicines. In practical terms, it can alter the blood concentration of a treatment taken at the same time, in either direction. This is not a matter of dosage or excessive caution: if you are taking any medicine at all, that question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist before you open the bottle.

The product contains gelatine: it is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans. It may also contain traces of gluten, nuts, egg, milk, fish and soya.

What you should not expect from it: it is not a treatment, and it replaces none. Nor is it a weight-loss product — if that is your goal, a calorie deficit and physical activity do the work, and our weight loss section or our caffeine-free fat burners answer a different logic. No capsule makes up for a diet that is not on track.

Berberine or chromium alone — do you need both?

The question is worth asking since this product combines the two, and it helps to know what each one actually brings.

Chromium is a nutrient in the strict sense, with a defined European reference value and two authorised claims. It is a regulated, well-understood ingredient, with no particular grey areas at the doses usually found in supplements. It is also present in most complete multivitamins, often at a comparable level — check your label before adding more, as doubling up achieves nothing.

Berberine belongs to another category: it is a concentrated plant extract, with no authorised claim, documented drug interactions and real contraindications. That is also what makes this product distinctive: an extract standardised to 97% is no trivial ingredient, and that is precisely why it comes with so many warnings.

If you are simply looking to cover your trace element intake, a complete multivitamin is more rational and cheaper. If it is the Berberis vulgaris extract that interests you specifically, then this product makes sense — provided you have read the list of contraindications and, if you are taking any medication at all, have discussed it with a healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions

What does “standardised to 97% berberine” mean?

It indicates the berberine content of the root extract used: in 100 mg of extract, 97 mg are berberine. It is a very concentrated extract. One caveat, though: that percentage does not tell you how many milligrams of extract a capsule contains, information the manufacturer does not publish.

Should it be taken with food or away from meals?

With food, and preferably at breakfast. The manufacturer explicitly recommends avoiding it on an empty stomach in order to improve tolerance. It is a piece of advice that makes a real difference: on an empty stomach, berberine causes nausea or digestive discomfort in some people.

Can it be taken alongside medication?

Not without medical advice. The manufacturer explicitly asks for it, and the reason is a serious one: berberine can alter the way the body metabolises many medicines, and therefore their concentration in the blood. Put the question to your doctor or your pharmacist before you open the bottle.

How long does a bottle last?

30 days, at two capsules a day for 60 capsules. That is also the minimum course length the manufacturer recommends, which makes the arithmetic simple: one bottle equals one course. Do not run months back to back without speaking to a healthcare professional.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is made of gelatine, which is of animal origin. The manufacturer does state, however, that the capsules contain no titanium dioxide, which is useful information for anyone watching additives, but which changes nothing about the vegetarian question.

Does berberine make you lose weight?

No claim of that kind is authorised in Europe for berberine, and we will not be writing one. This product is not a fat burner and replaces neither a calorie deficit nor regular physical activity. If weight loss is your goal, start with those two levers.

Can it be taken if you are diabetic?

Not without prior medical advice. The manufacturer states it in black and white for people with diabetes who are on medication, and it is an instruction to take seriously. That conversation belongs to your own doctor, who knows your treatment and your follow-up.

Where can you buy IO Genix Berberine Complex?

The 60-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is one of the few products we sometimes refuse to sell on the spot: when a customer tells us they are on medication, we would rather they came back after speaking to their pharmacist. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Beta Alanine Professional?

IO Genix Beta Alanine Professional is a single-ingredient powder: 3 g of beta-alanine per serving, and nothing else. No flavouring, no sweetener, no colouring, no bulking agent. The manufacturer states 100 servings per tub, i.e. 300 g of powder and more than three months of daily use.

Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body can make it itself. Its value in sports nutrition comes down to another compound: combined with histidine, it forms carnosine, a dipeptide found in muscle. It is beta-alanine availability that limits how much carnosine muscle can store, and that is why it is taken as a powder rather than hoped for from the diet.

In practice, this product belongs to the same family as creatine: a baseline active, inexpensive, taken every day for several weeks, with nothing to feel at the moment you take it. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix aisle, and the other products in the category in our beta-alanine aisle.

What does a serving of Beta Alanine Professional contain?

3 g per serving is the dose that makes sense, and it was not picked at random. The published protocols for this molecule sit around 3 to 6 g a day, often split across the day. Plenty of pre-workouts on the market advertise it proudly on the label and then put in 800 mg or 1.6 g, buried in a fifteen-ingredient formula. Here, one serving of bare powder gives you the full amount, and you know exactly what you are swallowing.

The complete absence of additives has a practical consequence worth knowing before you order: pure beta-alanine has a tart, slightly metallic taste. Diluted in 250 ml of water it goes down without pleasure but without difficulty. If taste matters to you, mix it into a flavoured drink or into your usual booster rather than into plain water.

A word on the regulatory side, because it needs to be clear: no health claim is authorised in Europe for beta-alanine. Not for endurance, not for fatigue, not for performance. So we describe the molecule, its known biochemical role and its dosage — we promise no quantified result. The previous version of this page quoted percentage increases in carnosine and delays in fatigue: those figures could not be sourced and they have been removed.

Ingredients list

Beta-alanine (3,000 mg per serving). Single-component formula, with no additive, no sweetener, no colouring.

May contain traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS, SOYA and FISH. The manufacturer states that production takes place in a facility that handles these allergens.

How do you take Beta Alanine Professional?

Serving: 3 g, i.e. one level scoop. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before training. Frequency: once a day, rest days included. Duration: four weeks minimum, eight to sixteen weeks for a full course, with a break possible afterwards.

Two things matter above all. First: taking it every day counts for more than the time of day you take it. Unlike a stimulant, this molecule does nothing in the hour that follows. What is being built up are the muscle stores, day after day, and they build up on the days you do not train too. Skipping rest days simply drags the course out for nothing.

Second: four weeks is a minimum, not a target. The manufacturer states that the bulk of it happens between eight and twelve weeks of consistent use. A 100-serving tub covers more than three months: that is precisely the timescale on which this type of product is judged. Buy one for a two-week trial and you are wasting your money.

The powder dissolves easily in water at room temperature. It combines without difficulty with creatine monohydrate, with citrulline or with a pre-workout you already use, provided you check that the latter does not already contain some: stacking is the leading cause of unexpected tingling.

Who is beta-alanine for, and who is it not for?

It is of interest first and foremost to those whose efforts last between thirty seconds and a few minutes at high intensity: long sets in weight training, CrossFit, combat sports, swimming, middle-distance running, repeated sprints. That is the effort format in which muscle carnosine plays its buffering role. On sets of three heavy reps or over a marathon, by contrast, the effort format is not that one.

The point to know before buying is paraesthesia. The manufacturer flags it explicitly: taking it causes temporary skin tingling, mainly on the face, ears and extremities, which fades within fifteen to thirty minutes. It is neither an allergy nor a sign of intolerance, and it carries no known danger. But it is disconcerting the first time, and some people never get used to it. If the sensation bothers you, split the serving into two 1.5 g doses across the day: it drops off markedly.

The manufacturer does not recommend the product for children under 12, asks pregnant and breastfeeding women to seek the advice of a healthcare professional, and invites anyone on medical treatment to consult a doctor. Do not exceed 3 g a day. The product may contain traces of gluten, milk, eggs, soya and fish.

What not to expect from it: it is not a stimulant, it gives neither energy nor focus, and it does not replace a caffeine-free booster if alertness is what you are after. It does not build mass, it does not burn fat, and it will not make up for a shaky training programme or five hours of sleep.

Beta-alanine or creatine, which should you start with?

This is the question we are asked most often about this aisle, and the answer is clear-cut.

If you are only going to take one, take creatine monohydrate. It is the best-documented molecule in the whole of sports nutrition, it carries a claim authorised in Europe stating that creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise, it costs little, it has no noticeable side effect and it acts on a range of effort — very short, very intense efforts — that beta-alanine does not cover.

Beta-alanine works in a different window, that of efforts lasting thirty seconds to a few minutes, where creatine begins to stop contributing anything. It is the best second choice, once creatine has been in place for several months and your discipline has you spending a lot of time in that intensity zone. The two also go together perfectly well, in the same glass.

If your goal is more about the pump and training volume, neither one is the answer: it is towards citrulline and arginine that you should be looking. And if you simply want a product you can feel during the session, look at the pre-workouts — but then you are after something other than this tub.

Frequently asked questions

Why does beta-alanine make your skin tingle?

It is paraesthesia, caused by the stimulation of nerve receptors in the skin. It appears fifteen to twenty minutes after taking it, affects mainly the face, ears and hands, and disappears within half an hour. The manufacturer describes it as normal and harmless. Splitting the serving into two doses reduces it considerably.

Do you need to take it on rest days?

Yes. Beta-alanine is not taken for that day's session but to build up muscle stores that accumulate slowly. Taking it daily without exception, including on days without training, is what makes the course worthwhile.

How long before you notice anything?

Nothing in a week. The manufacturer indicates four weeks minimum and puts the bulk of it between eight and twelve weeks of consistent use. This is a baseline product: if you expect a noticeable effect from the very first session, you will be disappointed, and you will have picked the wrong aisle.

How many servings in a tub?

100 servings of 3 g, i.e. 300 g of powder and more than three months of daily use. That is consistent with the recommended course length, which is not all that common: many tubs in this aisle run out before the course has produced anything at all.

Can it be mixed with a pre-workout?

Yes, in the same glass, with no compatibility issue. Just check your pre-workout's label: many already contain beta-alanine, sometimes 1.6 g or 2 g. In that case, adjust the amount of powder so as not to exceed 3 g a day in total.

Is the taste unpleasant?

The powder has no flavouring and no sweetener: it has a tart, slightly metallic taste that nobody finds enjoyable. In 250 ml of water it remains perfectly bearable. In a flavoured drink or a juice, you barely notice it at all.

Is this product a doping agent?

No. Beta-alanine is an amino acid naturally present in food and does not appear on any list of prohibited substances. That does not exempt an athlete subject to testing from checking the status of every product they consume with their federation.

Where can you buy IO Genix Beta Alanine Professional?

The 100-serving tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is a product we rarely sell on its own: it almost always turns up as a second supplement, after creatine, bought by someone who has been training long enough to know where their sets give out. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix peanut butter?

This is a peanut butter with a minimal ingredient list: 99.5% skinless roasted peanuts, plus 0.5% roasted peanuts with skins and sunflower oil. No added sugar, no sweetener, no emulsifier, no palm oil. Two textures are listed: smooth and crunchy.

With this kind of product, the ingredient list is the only criterion that really counts, and this one is about as short as you could hope for. Most supermarket peanut butters add sugar, salt and a palm fat to stop the oil separating out. None of that here — which is also why the oil rises to the top, something we will come back to.

The product joins our peanut butter and IO Genix ranges. It is a food, not a supplement: it belongs next to the oats, not next to the capsules.

What does a serving contain?

* Columns calculated from the per 100 g values. Three figures are missing from the labelling we were given: sugars, saturates and the fibre content, described as “naturally present” without a number. The net weight of the jar is not specified either.

One value strikes us as needing verification, and we would rather say so: the label declares 1.35 g of salt per 100 g and presents it as “naturally present”, even though the ingredient list contains no added salt and unsalted peanuts contain far less than that. We are reproducing the manufacturer's figure without correcting it, and we would encourage you to read the label on the jar you receive if you are watching your salt intake.

The figure that defines this product is 58 g of fat per 100 g, i.e. 666 kcal. That is a lot, it is entirely normal, and it is the first thing to take on board: a level tablespoon is roughly 20 g, so 133 kcal. Two generous spoonfuls eaten standing in front of the cupboard easily come to 300 kcal. Peanut butter is an excellent food; it is not a light one.

The second figure is the 26 g of protein per 100 g. An honest clarification is needed here: that represents 15.6% of the energy value, which clears the threshold for the “source of protein” claim (12%) but not the one for “high in protein” (20%). And above all, peanut protein is not a complete protein: its essential amino acid profile is limiting, particularly in methionine and lysine. A 20 g serving gives you 5.2 g of protein: that is a bonus, not a source.

Peanuts naturally supply iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, copper and selenium. Since none of these contents is quantified, no regulatory wording can be used for these minerals, and we will not use any.

How should you use this peanut butter?

Amount: 10 to 30 g per serving depending on your goal. Base: toast, oats, pancakes, fresh fruit. Timing: breakfast or a snack. Frequency: one to two servings a day. Duration: none, it is a food.

The manufacturer's guidelines are useful because they turn grams into real situations. 10 to 15 g to enrich a dish or a light snack. 20 to 25 g for a full breakfast or a post-session snack. 30 g at most when the aim is to add energy. Beyond that, you are mostly adding calories.

The one thing that makes all the difference, and that nobody does: weigh it out the first time. Twenty grams of peanut butter is a good deal less than people imagine. Once you have the visual reference, the spoon is enough.

With no emulsifier, the oil rises to the top when the jar stands still: that is the sign of a product with no stabilising additive, not a fault. Stir the jar thoroughly the first time you open it, right down to the bottom, then store it the right way up. Some people keep it upside down between uses, which redistributes the oil.

In the kitchen it holds up very well in pancakes, cookies or a satay sauce. Its most useful pairing is still the simplest: a spoonful stirred into a bowl of oat flour, which turns a carbohydrate breakfast into a complete meal.

Who is this peanut butter for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone trying to push their calories up without eating more volume: it is one of the most energy-dense foods in the catalogue, and one spoonful adds 133 kcal effortlessly. For mass gain, it is a far more pleasant lever than a gainer. It also suits anyone who reads labels: at 99.5% peanuts, there is not much to argue with.

It contains PEANUTS, and traces of ALMONDS, HAZELNUTS, CASHEW NUTS, PISTACHIOS, MACADAMIA NUTS, MILK and SOYA are possible. If you are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, this product is obviously out — and peanut allergy is one of the most severe there is. Keep out of reach of children.

It is not suitable during a strict calorie deficit unless you weigh it scrupulously: 58 g of fat per 100 g does not forgive guesswork. Nor is it suitable if you are watching your salt intake and have not checked the value discussed above.

What you should not expect from it: it is not a protein source. Five grams per spoonful, with an incomplete amino acid profile, replaces no shake and no piece of meat. Nor is it a “health” product: peanuts do supply good fatty acids, but no claim can be used here in the absence of quantified contents. It is a dense, tasty and honestly formulated food. Nothing more, and that is already a great deal.

Peanut butter or a protein spread?

This is the comparison that comes up over the counter every single day, and it comes down to what you are trying to solve.

A protein spread, like the ones in the Grenade range, supplies around 20 g of protein per 100 g — less than this butter — but it answers a sugar craving that plain peanut butter does not satisfy. It is sweetened with polyols, with the laxative warning that goes with them, and its ingredient list is a great deal longer. It is the right choice if your problem is the chocolate spread in the cupboard.

Peanut butter wins on three concrete points: 26 g of protein per 100 g against 20, an ingredient list two lines long, and no polyols, so no risk of digestive discomfort. It also costs considerably less per kilo. It is the default choice unless you specifically need a dessert flavour.

And if your goal really is to increase your protein intake, neither of them is the answer: a serving of protein powder supplies 25 g for 120 kcal, whereas you would need 100 g of peanut butter and 666 kcal for a comparable result. The other snack formats can be compared in our protein snacks range.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the oil rise to the top?

Because there is no emulsifier and no palm fat in the formulation. That is normal behaviour for a peanut butter made of 99.5% peanuts, and it is rather a good sign. Stir it thoroughly, right down to the bottom of the jar, the first time you open it: the texture becomes even again.

How many calories in a spoonful?

A level tablespoon is around 20 g, so 133 kcal, 5.2 g of protein and 11.6 g of fat. That is the most useful reference point on this page: two generous spoonfuls easily go past 300 kcal, and that shows up in a day's totals.

Smooth or crunchy?

The formulation is the same, only the texture changes: smooth on one side, with pieces of peanut on the other. The smooth blends better into porridge or a sauce; the crunchy works better on toast. It is a preference, not a nutritional criterion.

Does it contain added sugar?

No, the ingredient list contains none: only roasted peanuts and a touch of sunflower oil. The 14 g of carbohydrate per 100 g come naturally from the peanuts. The breakdown of the “of which sugars” line is not published by the manufacturer, however.

Is it a good source of protein?

It is a “source of protein” in the regulatory sense, but not in the sense you mean. Twenty grams of product supplies 5.2 g of protein, with an incomplete amino acid profile, limiting in particular in methionine and lysine. It is a bonus on a slice of toast, not a building block of your daily total.

How long does an opened jar keep?

Several weeks at room temperature, away from light. With no preservative, the only risk is the fats going rancid, which announces itself immediately in the taste. As the net weight of the jar is not in our data, check it on the label to estimate how long yours will last.

Is it suitable for vegans?

Yes. The only ingredients are roasted peanuts and sunflower oil, both of plant origin. Do note, however, the possible traces of milk flagged by the manufacturer, as well as those of several tree nuts.

Where can you buy IO Genix peanut butter?

Both textures can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a cupboard staple that keeps for a long time: there is no need to stockpile five jars, but two are never too many.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is one of the few aisles where we advise turning the jar around before buying, whatever the brand. Two lines of ingredients is a good sign; seven, including sugar and palm fat, much less so. The habit is worth keeping for any supermarket shop.

What is IO Genix's Caffeine 200 mg?

It is anhydrous caffeine in capsules, dosed at 200 mg per unit, in a bottle of 100. A single active ingredient, no flavouring, no sweetener, no blend: it is the simplest product in the whole stimulant aisle.

Two hundred milligrams is the equivalent of two to three espressos. The difference with coffee comes down to three things: the dose is identical from one capsule to the next, it travels in a pocket, and it requires neither finding a machine nor drinking anything. For a session at 6:00 in the morning or a competition in a car park, those are three real advantages.

The rest of the composition takes three lines: magnesium carbonate as a bulking agent, magnesium stearate as an anti-caking agent, and a gelatine capsule coloured with calcium carbonate and sodium starch octenyl succinate. As the shell is made of gelatine, the product is not suitable for vegetarians. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix aisle.

What does one capsule contain?

* No NRV is established for caffeine. Other components: bulking agent (magnesium carbonate), capsule (gelatine, colours: calcium carbonate and sodium starch octenyl succinate), anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate). Pack size: 100 capsules. Traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGG, SOYA, SULPHITES, FISH, MOLLUSCS and CRUSTACEANS are possible depending on manufacturing conditions.

The framework needs setting out straight away, because it is what determines how the product is used. EFSA considers that a single intake of 200 mg of caffeine raises no safety concern in healthy adults, and takes 400 mg as the benchmark for the whole day, from all sources combined. One capsule therefore puts you exactly on the single-intake limit — and if you drink coffee alongside it, the total climbs fast.

A concrete calculation, because it often changes the advice: one capsule in the morning, two coffees during the day and a 200 mg pre-workout already adds up to 550 to 600 mg. You are above the daily benchmark without having given it a single thought.

On the effects, let us be precise: caffeine has no authorised health claim in Europe. Not on alertness, not on endurance, not on weight loss. We can therefore promise you nothing, and we will not. What we can describe: a molecule, a dose, an equivalent in cups of coffee, and a protocol for use. The rest you already know from experience — you have all drunk a coffee.

How should Caffeine 200 mg be taken?

Dose: 1 capsule, i.e. 200 mg. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before physical or mental effort, in the morning or in the early afternoon. Frequency: one intake a day, never after 15:00. Duration: cycling advised, 5 days on for 2 days off, or 3 weeks for 1 week off.

If you have never taken caffeine in this form, start with half a capsule. The manufacturer recommends it, and it is good advice: the capsule opens, the powder can be divided, and one session will tell you whether 100 mg is enough for you. Two hundred milligrams at once, on an empty stomach, does not go the same way for everybody.

The 15:00 rule is the one that matters most, and it is stricter here than on many products: the manufacturer asks that no caffeine be taken in the 6 hours before bedtime. The half-life of the molecule is around five hours in an average adult, more in some people. A capsule at 18:00 still means a hundred milligrams or so in circulation at midnight.

Cycling is not a whim either. Tolerance to caffeine sets in within a few weeks, and the doses then have to go up to recover the same sensation — which is neither desirable nor sustainable. Five days on for two days off is enough to maintain sensitivity.

Two practical remarks. The manufacturer advises increasing water intake to 2 or 3 litres a day during use, caffeine having a mild diuretic effect. And it advises against taking it at the same time as other stimulants — tea, coffee, guarana — which amounts to repeating the daily total calculation.

Who is this product for, and who is it not for?

It is for adults only, and suits those who tolerate caffeine well and want a precise, portable dose with no taste and no preparation. It is also the most economical format in the category: 100 capsules, i.e. more than three months at one intake a day, for the price of a few energy drinks.

The manufacturer is categorical about the contraindications, and we repeat them as they stand. This product is not advised for children or for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and is ruled out in the case of a heart condition, high blood pressure, an anxiety disorder, insomnia or hypersensitivity to caffeine. If any of those apply to you, this product is not for you, and that is not negotiable.

It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans: the shell is made of gelatine. Nor is it suitable if you train in the evening, for the sleep reasons set out above.

The possible side effects are well known and the manufacturer lists them: nervousness, irritability, palpitations, headaches, digestive upset. They appear mainly in people who are not used to it or at cumulative doses. That is precisely why the trial half-capsule makes sense.

What not to expect from it: nothing more than a well-measured coffee. Caffeine does not make up for a short night, it masks it — and the sleep debt itself remains entirely. Nor does it make you lose weight, whatever the label on half of the fat burners aisle may say. What it does do is make a session easier to get started, which is already something.

Caffeine on its own or a complete pre-workout?

That is the real choice, and the answer depends on what you are trying to achieve.

A complete pre-workout provides, on top of the caffeine, pump and endurance ingredients: citrulline at 4 or 6 g, beta-alanine at 3.2 g, often tyrosine or betaine. It is the better choice if you want the complete formula without having to put anything together yourself, and if the sensation of a pump is part of what you are looking for. Its drawback: you pay for the whole thing, including the ingredients you have no interest in, and you do not choose the caffeine dose.

Caffeine on its own does exactly the opposite. You know what you are taking to the milligram, you adjust in half-capsules, and you can combine it with whatever you want — citrulline on its own, beta-alanine on its own, or nothing at all. At 100 capsules a bottle, it is also by far the cheapest option per session. It is the rational choice if you already know what works for you.

And if you train in the evening, neither suits: a caffeine-free pre-workout is what to turn to, even if it means losing that kick. On this point, a night's sleep is worth more than a good session.

Frequently asked questions

How many coffees does 200 mg correspond to?

Two to three espressos, according to the manufacturer. It is an average equivalent: the content of a coffee varies a great deal with the grind, the machine and the volume. The useful benchmark is EFSA's — 200 mg in a single intake, 400 mg over the day from all sources combined.

Can the capsule be opened to take half a dose?

Yes, and it is even what the manufacturer advises for a first trial. The capsule opens, the powder can be divided. The taste of pure caffeine is extremely bitter: better to close the half back inside the capsule and swallow it than to put it on your tongue.

How late in the day can it be taken?

The manufacturer asks that none be consumed in the 6 hours before bedtime, and in practice that you stay before 15:00. That is consistent with the half-life of the molecule, around five hours in an average adult — and a good deal more in some people. An evening intake costs a night.

Why take breaks?

Because tolerance sets in quickly: after two to three weeks of daily use, the same dose no longer produces the same effect. The manufacturer advises 5 days on for 2 days off, or 3 weeks for 1 week. That is what allows you to keep one capsule effective without raising the doses.

Are the capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is made of gelatine, of animal origin. The manufacturer also reports possible traces of gluten, milk, egg, soya, sulphites, fish, molluscs and crustaceans depending on manufacturing conditions.

Can it be combined with a pre-workout?

Technically yes, but you have to do the arithmetic. Most pre-workouts contain 150 to 350 mg of caffeine per serving: added to the 200 mg of a capsule, you exceed EFSA's daily benchmark in a single intake. The manufacturer does in fact explicitly advise against combining it with other stimulants.

How long does a bottle last?

More than three months at one capsule a day, the bottle holding 100. With the advised cycling — five days out of seven — reckon on four to five months. It is one of the most favourable dose-to-price ratios in the whole shop.

Where can you buy IO Genix Caffeine 200 mg?

The bottle of 100 capsules can be ordered from this page, and we ship anywhere in France and Europe. It is a product that covers a whole quarter of a year with a single bottle: few items in the catalogue can say as much.

At the counter in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is the product we suggest to those who come in looking for a complete pre-workout without realising that what they like in it is essentially the caffeine. The test is simple: try a capsule on its own for two weeks, and you will know. The rest of the stimulants and pre-training formulas can be compared in our sports nutrition selection.

What is IO Genix Carni3000?

IO Genix Carni3000 is an L-carnitine supplement in capsule form. A three-capsule dose provides 2,000 mg of L-carnitine tartrate, of which 1,360 mg is pure L-carnitine and 640 mg tartaric acid. The bottle holds 90 capsules, which is exactly 30 doses and one month's course.

L-carnitine is not an amino acid in the strict sense but an amino acid derivative, which the body makes in the liver and kidneys from lysine and methionine. Food supplies it too, almost exclusively through animal products: red meat is by far the richest source, hence its name, taken from the Latin carnis.

Its biological role is well established: it carries long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, where they are broken down to produce energy. Without carnitine, that transport does not happen. It is this mechanism, a real one, that gave the product its reputation — and we shall see below why you should be wary of drawing hasty conclusions from it. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix aisle.

What does a dose of Carni3000 contain?

The figure to remember is not 2,000 mg, it is 1,360 mg, and the difference deserves an explanation that many product pages gloss over. L-carnitine tartrate is a salt: the carnitine molecule is bound to tartaric acid to stabilise the powder. Out of 2,000 mg of salt, around 68% is genuinely usable carnitine. When a label states “2,000 mg of L-carnitine tartrate”, it is accurate, but it is not saying the same thing as “2,000 mg of L-carnitine”. Here the manufacturer publishes both values, which does it credit and allows an honest comparison with other products.

The Carnipure mention refers to the origin of the raw material, that of a specialist Swiss manufacturer. It is traceability information that the manufacturer prints on the label; we report it as such, without turning it into an efficacy argument.

On the regulatory side, the position is clear: no health claim is authorised in Europe for L-carnitine. Not on weight loss, not on fat metabolism, not on endurance, not on recovery. Its role as a mitochondrial transporter is an established fact of physiology; what oral supplementation changes in a healthy adult who already eats meat is another matter entirely, and one with no validated answer. The previous version of this page promised increased fat oxidation and support during a cutting phase, and announced limited stock to rush the purchase: those passages have been removed.

Ingredients list

L-carnitine tartrate (Carnipure), anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate), capsule shell (GELATINE). No stimulants and no added sugars. The exact composition of the shell appears on the label of the bottle you receive.

May contain traces of GLUTEN, EGG, FISH, SOYA and MILK.

How do you take Carni3000?

Dose: 3 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. When: 30 minutes before training; on rest days, in the morning on an empty stomach. Frequency: one dose a day. Duration: a 6 to 8 week course, followed by a week off according to the manufacturer.

Three capsules at once is not trivial for anyone who struggles to swallow supplements. Take them one after the other with a large glass of water rather than together: that is the only practical difficulty with this product, and it is solved in ten seconds.

The capsule format is a genuine advantage here over the liquid format, which is very common for this molecule. Liquid carnitine ampoules travel badly, open up inside bags and often contain flavourings and sweeteners you can do without. A bottle of capsules slips into a gym bag with no risk, and the dose does not vary from one intake to the next.

The manufacturer recommends courses of 6 to 8 weeks with a week off. One bottle covers a month: count on two bottles for a full course, then. On days without training, the dose is taken in the morning on an empty stomach.

This product contains neither caffeine nor any stimulant. It can therefore be taken late in the day with no consequence for sleep, which is not the case for most of the products in our fat burners aisle. It combines without difficulty with a protein or an omega 3.

Who is Carni3000 for, and who is it not for?

It is of interest above all to two profiles. The first: people whose diet supplies little or no red meat — vegetarians, vegans, or simply heavy eaters of poultry and fish — in whom dietary carnitine intake is structurally low. The second: those who want a product with no caffeine, because they are already sensitive to stimulants or because they train in the evening.

One important reservation for the first profile, however: the capsule shell is gelatine, of animal origin. A strict vegetarian will therefore not be able to use it, which is a regrettable paradox for a product that would make particular sense in their case. We are flagging it rather than leaving the discovery for when the bottle is opened.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, asks that it be kept out of the reach of children and that you consult a healthcare professional if you are on medical treatment. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. The product may contain traces of gluten, egg, fish, soya and milk.

What not to expect from it, and this is the point on which we are most direct: this is not a fat burner. In a healthy person who eats meat, muscle carnitine stores are already close to their maximum, and muscle takes up circulating carnitine very poorly. No capsule creates a calorie deficit. If your goal is weight loss, diet and physical activity do all the work, and our weight loss aisle will not change that rule.

Carnitine or a burner with caffeine, which should you choose?

The two cross paths in the same cutting-phase basket, and they do not do the same thing at all.

A conventional capsule burner relies mainly on caffeine, sometimes combined with green tea or cayenne pepper. Its effect is noticeable: heightened alertness, a sense of energy, appetite often somewhat blunted. It is that sensation which explains its success, and it is real — but it comes from a stimulant, with the drawbacks that go with it: tolerance building up, disrupted sleep if taken late, palpitations in sensitive people.

Carnitine, on the other hand, is not felt at all. No noticeable effect, no kick, no effect on appetite. It is the better choice if you want to avoid stimulants, if you train late, or if you already drink a lot of coffee during the day. It is also the most honest thing to recommend to someone who already has three sources of caffeine in their routine.

If your priority is a stimulant-free product that you can nonetheless feel, look instead at our plant-based caffeine-free burners. And if you are already stacking several supplements, ask yourself about the total: three products doing half the same job cost more than a single well-chosen one.

Frequently asked questions

Why 2,000 mg of tartrate but 1,360 mg of carnitine?

Because L-carnitine tartrate is a salt: the carnitine is bound to tartaric acid, which stabilises the powder. Around 68% of the salt is usable carnitine, that is 1,360 mg for 2,000 mg of tartrate. Both values are accurate, but only the second lets you compare two products with each other.

Should it be taken before or after training?

The manufacturer states 30 minutes before the session, and in the morning on an empty stomach on rest days. This is a daily product: consistency matters more than the precise timing, since it produces no noticeable effect in the hour that follows.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is gelatine, of animal origin. That is all the more unfortunate given that vegetarians are precisely the profile in whom dietary carnitine intake is lowest, red meat being the main source.

How long does a bottle last?

Exactly 30 days: 90 capsules, three per dose, one dose a day. Since the manufacturer recommends courses of 6 to 8 weeks, count on two bottles to see a full course through.

Does it make you lose weight?

No, and no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe for L-carnitine. The product does not create a calorie deficit and does not alter appetite. It may accompany an effort, it never replaces one.

Is there any caffeine in it?

None. The formula contains only carnitine tartrate, an anti-caking agent and the capsule shell. That is what makes it possible to take it late in the day with no consequence for sleep, unlike most products in this aisle.

Can it be combined with a conventional burner?

Nothing stands in the way as far as composition goes, since the ingredients do not overlap. The real question is whether it is useful: adding together two products that do not act in the same place is expensive for a benefit that is hard to measure. Start with one and judge for yourself.

Where to buy IO Genix Carni3000?

The 90-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, around ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we point people towards when they want something without caffeine — and we tell them straight away that they will not feel a thing, because it is the truth and because it saves a disappointment a fortnight later. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.