Sports Nutrition

What is IO Genix Isolate Professional?

IO Genix Isolate Professional is a powdered whey isolate, available in 1 kg and 2 kg, from intense chocolate to pistachio. It is produced by IO Genix, a Spanish brand.

Its raw material is a whey protein isolate obtained by cross-flow microfiltration, the process the acronym CFM refers to, sold under the ingredient brand PROMIKO®. This is a mechanical membrane filtration carried out cold, not an ion exchange. In the Chocolat intense flavour, this isolate accounts for 86.91% of the recipe according to the manufacturer's ingredient list.

One point deserves to be settled straight away, because the confusion appeared on this page and is found elsewhere in the sector: 86.91% is the share of the isolate ingredient in the formula, not the protein content of the powder. The latter is declared at 83.1%. Both figures are correct; they simply do not measure the same thing.

The formula is completed with milk proteins, fat-reduced cocoa powder in the chocolate flavours, yoghurt powder, flavourings, two sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame K), vitamin B6, soya lecithin as an emulsifier and a complex of five enzymes sold under the name DigeZyme®: amylase, protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase.

What does a 30 g serving of Isolate Professional contain?

The reference serving is 30 g. In the Chocolat intense flavour, it provides 25 g of protein for 114 kcal, 1.9 g of carbohydrate of which 0.6 g sugars, 0.6 g of fat of which 0.3 g saturates and 0.03 g of salt. To this are added 0.5 mg of vitamin B6, or 36% of the nutrient reference value, and 30 mg of DigeZyme® complex. The details appear in the nutritional values tab, which takes precedence over everything this page says.

The declared protein content is 83.1%, the level expected of a flavoured isolate: the cocoa, the yoghurt powder and the flavourings take up space in the powder and bring the percentage down. It is the 0.6 g of fat and the 0.6 g of sugars per serving that stand out, and that is precisely what you are buying when you pay for an isolate rather than a concentrate.

The 1 kg tub covers 33 servings and the 2 kg one 66 servings. These are divisions we make here: the manufacturer does not publish a number of servings.

What we cannot give you, for want of having it: the value in kilojoules, the regulatory "per 100 g" column, the fibre content, the residual lactose content and a detailed amino acid profile. None of these data are passed on to us, and we will not reconstruct them from literature averages: an estimate presented as a measurement remains an invention.

Two regulatory wordings can be used here, and they are the only ones. Proteins contribute to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass. And, as the vitamin B6 content exceeds 15% of the NRV per serving, vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism. The enzyme complex, for its part, can be described but nothing can be promised of it: no digestive claim is authorised in Europe for this type of ingredient, and you will read none here.

How do you prepare IO Genix Isolate Professional?

The manufacturer indicates 30 g of powder, that is one scoop, in 250 to 300 ml of cold water or plant-based drink, shaken for about fifteen seconds. Only one volume figure is given, and that is the one.

Allow one to three servings per day, depending on the gap between what your meals already cover and your protein target. No course duration is indicated by the manufacturer, and there is no reason to set one: a protein powder is a food, not an active ingredient to be cycled.

The timing is a matter of convenience: after the session, at breakfast or as a snack. There is no thirty-minute window to respect — it is the twenty-four-hour protein total that determines the result, not the timing of the shaker.

An isolate dissolves quickly and gives a more fluid drink than a concentrate. It can be cooked with, but withstands long cooking less well, where it tends to dry out: add it at the end of preparation. A wide-mouth shaker, in our accessories, limits lumps; for a more substantial snack, pair it with a carbohydrate source such as cream of rice.

Who is this isolate suitable for, and who is it not suitable for?

It is aimed at three profiles. Those who digest a whey concentrate poorly and are looking for a more filtered powder. Those counting carbohydrates and fat at the end of a cutting phase, where 1.9 g and 0.6 g per serving change the day's calculation. And those taking two to three servings daily, for whom the 2 kg format brings down the price per gram of protein.

The product contains MILK and SOYA. It may contain traces of EGGS, GLUTEN and NUTS owing to shared manufacturing methods. A diagnosed allergy to cow's milk proteins contraindicates it: filtration removes lactose, never the proteins. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women. In the event of medical treatment or kidney or liver disorder, the question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist, not for a product page.

What should not be expected of it. It is not a lactose-free product: the residual content is not quantified by the manufacturer, and the presence of lactase in the enzyme complex does not change the composition of the powder. Nor is it a weight loss product: it provides a lot of protein for few calories, which helps to maintain a deficit, but it is the deficit that produces the result. Finally, it does not build muscle on its own, without training or sufficient calorie intake.

Isolate Professional or IO Genix Whey 80 Professional?

This is the trade-off that matters on this page, and it is settled in favour of the concentrate more often than one might think.

The Whey 80 Professional, from the same brand, contains 82% protein and provides 24.6 g per 30 g serving, against 25 g and 83.1% here. The gap comes down to four tenths of a gram of protein per serving. The concentrate, on the other hand, provides 7.2 g of BCAAs at an 8:1:1 ratio, obtained by directly adding L-leucine, which the isolate does not do. On the price per gram of protein, it wins almost every time.

The isolate retains three real advantages, and at least one of them must apply to you to justify the price difference. First, the fat: 0.6 g per serving against 1.0 g. Then a more thorough filtration, hence less residual lactose — the point that matters if shakers sit heavily with you. Finally the 2 kg format, which the Whey 80 does not offer. Note in passing that on carbohydrates the ranking is reversed: 1.9 g here against 1.3 g for the concentrate, because of the cocoa and the yoghurt powder.

If none of these three points speaks to you, take the concentrate. That is what our protein section already says, and we are not changing our minds because the isolate sells for more.

Frequently asked questions

Why 83.1% protein and not 86.91%?

Because the two figures do not measure the same thing. 86.91% is the proportion of the PROMIKO® isolate ingredient in the recipe for the Chocolat intense flavour, as it appears in the ingredient list. 83.1% is the protein content of the finished powder, that is 25 g for a 30 g serving. It is this second figure that is used to compare two proteins with one another.

Should you take the 1 kg or the 2 kg?

The 1 kg covers 33 servings of 30 g, the 2 kg covers 66. At one serving a day, the first lasts a month; at two servings daily, the second lasts barely longer. The 2 kg format lowers the price per gram of protein, provided you keep the same flavour to the end — which not everyone can put up with.

What is the DigeZyme® complex in the formula for?

It brings together five enzymes: amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase, at 30 mg per serving. We limit ourselves to this description. No digestive claim is authorised in Europe for an enzyme complex in a food, and we will therefore attribute no effect to it, whatever other product pages may say.

How much lactose is left in a serving?

We do not know: the manufacturer does not quantify the residual lactose content, and we will not put forward an invented value. What can be said is that the serving provides 1.9 g of carbohydrate in total, of which 0.6 g sugars. In case of severe intolerance, ask for the batch's technical data sheet before buying.

Which flavours are available?

Chocolat intense, Milkshake Vanille, Strawberry Cream, Original Black Cookies, Cookies & Cream, Bombon Rocher, Chocolate Amazonico, ChokoKrac, Peanut Butter & Cookies and Salted Caramel. The register is that of the milk dessert. Each exists in 1 kg and in 2 kg.

Are the nutritional values identical across all flavours?

No. The figures published here correspond to the Chocolat intense flavour, whose recipe contains fat-reduced cocoa. Flavours without cocoa show slightly different values, particularly on carbohydrates. The label on the tub you receive takes precedence over the one on this page.

Do you have an isolate without sweeteners?

Yes. This one contains sucralose and acesulfame K. If you are looking for an ingredient list without sweeteners or emulsifiers, look at the whey from Protéalpes, produced in France: three ingredients per flavour, a lower protein level for that very reason, and a smaller format. It is not the same product nor the same price per kilo.

Where to buy IO Genix Isolate Professional?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, in 1 kg as well as 2 kg, and we ship throughout France and Europe. The choice of format is rarely made well on a screen: in our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we set the 1 kg and the 2 kg side by side and we work out the price per gram of protein in front of you, isolate against concentrate.

The rest of the section can be browsed from our sports nutrition.

What is Sinob Honest Whey 1 kg?

Sinob Honest Whey is a whey concentrate in a 1 kg pouch, supplemented with a share of isolate. The composition stated by the manufacturer is precise: 81.9% whey protein concentrate and 12.5% isolate, the remainder being the flavouring, the sweeteners and the colouring. It is an everyday whey.

What sets the German brand Sinob apart comes down to two points, and they are the only verifiable ones. The first: the manufacturer names its raw material supplier, the Irish dairy company Volac, where almost the whole of the category simply writes "whey". The second: it states that it prints on each pack a serial number specific to the batch. A claim that a buyer can trace back to a specific batch is no longer a marketing statement — it is the difference between the two that makes the product interesting.

The flavours listed here, from Vanilla Ice Cream to Cinnamon Rice Pudding, including an Unflavoured version with no flavouring or sweetener.

What does a 30 g serving of Honest Whey contain?

The reference serving is 30 g, that is two scoops. It provides 22 to 23 g of protein depending on the flavour, for 110 to 120 kcal, 1 to 2 g of carbohydrate and 1 to 1.5 g of fat. The 1 kg pouch covers about 33 servings.

Related to 100 g of powder, that places the product at around 74 to 77 g of protein. That is less than a pure isolate, and that is normal: a concentrate retains a share of lactose and fat, which gives it its texture and its price. A level shown as 90% on a whey at this price should raise doubts, not reassure.

The manufacturer also states more than 6 g of BCAAs and more than 13 g of essential amino acids per 30 g serving. We report these while attributing them to the manufacturer. We do not, however, publish a detailed amino acid profile, a "per 100 g" column, or a line for "of which sugars", "fibre" or "salt": these data do not appear in what has been passed on to us. The applicable regulatory wording is this one: proteins contribute to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass.

How do you prepare Sinob Honest Whey?

The manufacturer indicates 30 g in 250 to 300 ml of cold water or milk, shaken for 20 seconds in a shaker. One to three servings per day depending on the gap between your dietary intake and your target. No course duration is indicated, and there is no reason to set one.

Water gives a light drink, milk a denser texture and a higher calorie contribution — useful during mass gain, to be avoided if you are watching your calories. The timing of the serving is secondary: after the session, at breakfast or between two meals, it is the day's protein total that determines the result.

The powder withstands cooking and works in a porridge, in pancakes or in fromage blanc. The Unflavoured version lends itself best to this: with no flavouring or sweetener, it is the only one you can sweeten yourself or add to a savoury preparation.

Who is Honest Whey suitable for, and who is it not suitable for?

It suits anyone who wants to know where what they are buying comes from without paying the price of an isolate, and anyone who quickly tires of a flavour: the choice of flavours here is wider than with most brands.

The product contains MILK, and therefore lactose, and SOYA in the form of lecithin. Traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, CRUSTACEANS, NUTS and LUPIN are possible. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, adolescents and people under medical treatment, and refers you to a doctor in case of doubt.

It is not suitable if you digest lactose poorly: the 12.5% of isolate changes almost nothing, the bulk of the formula remains a concentrate. In that case, turn to a whey isolate. Nor is it suitable if you are looking for as much protein as possible per serving, or if you are sensitive to soya. Finally, it is neither a weight loss product nor a meal replacement: it provides protein, and nothing else.

Sinob Honest Whey or ESN Designer Whey?

Both are German blends of concentrate and isolate, in the same price range. The choice comes down to three concrete points.

Density: 22 to 23 g of protein per 30 g serving with Sinob, against 23 to 25 g with ESN. The gap is real but modest — about two grams, that is less than a mouthful of chicken breast. Traceability: Sinob names its raw material supplier and numbers its batches, ESN does not. If this criterion matters to you, there is no debate. The choice of flavours: broader with Sinob, with an Unflavoured version that the ESN range does not offer here.

ESN remains the better choice if you count your grams as closely as possible and if you prefer a distinctly dessert-like profile. Sinob wins on transparency, on the number of flavours and on the 1 kg pouch format, easier to store than a rigid tub. In both cases, do the calculation that settles it: price, divided by the weight in kilos, divided by the protein level per 100 g.

Frequently asked questions

What is the serial number printed on the pouch for?

It identifies the production batch your pouch belongs to, and makes it possible to link a specific pack to a specific production run — which makes a check or a complaint possible. Few brands in the category go that far.

How many servings does the 1 kg pouch contain?

About 33 servings of 30 g. At one serving a day, that covers a month. At two servings on training days, reckon on three weeks. The pouch reseals and should be kept dry, away from heat and light.

Why is the protein level lower than on an isolate?

Because the formula is 81.9% based on a concentrate, which keeps a share of lactose and fat. An isolate takes filtration further and exceeds 85 g of protein per 100 g, but costs more. At 74-77 g per 100 g, Honest Whey sits within the normal range for a well-made concentrate.

What is the Unflavoured version like?

It contains neither flavouring nor sweetener: it is whey powder, with the slightly milky taste that goes with it. It appeals to two profiles, those who cannot tolerate sweeteners and those who cook with their whey and want to control the sugar or the cocoa themselves.

Can it be mixed with milk?

Yes, unlike a clear whey. Milk gives a thicker texture and adds calories, which is useful during a weight gain period and a nuisance during a restriction period. With water, reckon on 250 to 300 ml; with milk, stay closer to 250 ml, as the drink is already dense.

What is Volac, and why mention it?

It is the whey supplier named by the manufacturer, an Irish dairy company. Mentioning it does not mechanically improve the product, but it commits the brand to a specific origin rather than to an adjective. We report this information as the manufacturer publishes it.

Does it contain gluten?

Gluten is not an ingredient, but traces are possible owing to manufacture in a shared facility, in the same way as eggs, crustaceans, nuts and lupin. In case of coeliac disease, this product is not indicated.

Where to buy Sinob Honest Whey 1 kg?

The flavours can be ordered on this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, you can see the pouch, read the label and the batch number before buying — it is the only way to check for yourself what this page states.

The rest of the protein section can be compared in our sports nutrition, and the supplements taken alongside in the creatine monohydrate collection.

What is IO Genix Oat Flour?

IO Genix Farine d'Avoine is a powder made from micronised oat flakes — that is, ground extremely finely so that they dissolve in a liquid without cooking. Per 100 g, it provides 376 kcal, 61 g of carbohydrate of which only 1.3 g is sugars, 13 g of protein and 9.7 g of fibre. The flavours on offer run from chocolate brownie to pistachio, alongside an unflavoured version.

It is a food, not a supplement built around an isolated active: what you are buying is oats, put into a format you can drink from a shaker. Its appeal lies entirely in convenience. Where a porridge calls for a pan and ten minutes, one scoop in 250 ml of milk delivers the same intake in thirty seconds.

Oats are the most interesting cereal for a sportsperson's breakfast for one simple reason: they combine slow-digesting carbohydrate, a protein share that is unusual for a cereal, and a high fibre content. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix aisle, and the other products in the category in our oat flour aisle.

What does a serving of Oat Flour contain?

Two lines in this table deserve to be read together: 61 g of carbohydrate and 1.3 g of sugars. It is that ratio which sets an oat flour apart from an off-the-shelf chocolate powder, where the proportions are often reversed. With 1.3 g of sugars per 100 g, this product meets the European criterion for the low in sugars claim. The brownie or pistachio taste therefore comes from the flavourings and sweeteners, not from added sugar.

The fibre content is the other strong figure. At 9.7 g per 100 g, the product clears the threshold that allows it to be described as high in fibre under European regulations. A 30 g serving provides 2.9 g of it, which is far from trivial given that average intake in France remains below the recommendations.

The 13 g of protein per 100 g is also worth flagging: it is markedly more than rice or wheat flour. A 30 g serving provides 3.9 g, which does not make this powder a protein source, but which usefully adds to the shake if you mix it with a protein.

A point of honesty about what we cannot write. Oats contain beta-glucans, a soluble fibre that benefits from authorised claims in Europe. But those claims require a minimum quantity of beta-glucans per portion, and the manufacturer does not publish the beta-glucan content of this powder. We therefore cannot repeat them, and we are not going to invent them.

Ingredients list

Unflavoured: micronised oat flakes.

Flavoured versions: micronised oat flakes, natural flavourings, sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame potassium, steviol glycosides).

Chocolate versions: micronised oat flakes, cocoa powder, flavourings, sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame potassium, steviol glycosides).

May contain GLUTEN through cross-contamination. May contain traces of EGGS, MILK, NUTS and SOYA.

How do you use Oat Flour?

Serving: 30 g, or one scoop; 40 to 50 g when bulking. Liquid: 200 to 300 ml of water, milk or plant-based drink. Timing: at breakfast, one to two hours before training, or as a snack. Frequency: one to three servings a day depending on your goal. Duration: it is a food, there is no course to follow.

Shake it vigorously, and preferably in a shaker rather than stirring with a spoon. Micronisation makes things much easier, but a flour is still a flour: pour the liquid in first, the powder second, and shake immediately. That is the only way to avoid lumps.

The choice of liquid completely changes the result. With water, you stay at 113 kcal for a fluid texture. With milk, count on around a hundred extra calories, more protein and a distinctly creamier consistency — that is what we recommend for a proper breakfast. With a plant-based drink, the result sits somewhere in between.

It lends itself very well to cooking, unlike many powders in this aisle: pancakes, crêpes, muffins, overnight cold porridge. It can replace part of the ordinary flour in a recipe, bearing in mind that it does not rise like wheat flour and gives denser results. Ready-made protein pancakes remain simpler if you have no time to weigh things out.

For pre-training use, allow one to two hours before the session: this is slow-digesting carbohydrate, and 2.9 g of fibre per serving is not something to take just before going for a run. If you are after carbohydrate to take during exercise, maltodextrin is where to turn, not here.

Who is Oat Flour for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone who cannot face a solid breakfast in the morning, anyone short of time, anyone looking for quality carbohydrate while bulking, and anyone wanting to break out of the bread-and-sugary-cereal routine. It is probably the best value-for-interest product in the whole range.

It is not suitable for people who are gluten intolerant or coeliac. Oats do not contain gluten naturally, but the manufacturer explicitly flags a possible presence of gluten through cross-contamination: this product is not certified gluten-free, and that distinction is decisive in this particular case. It may also contain traces of eggs, milk, nuts and soya.

The manufacturer carries the usual food supplement wording on its label: product not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children or people on medical treatment, with medical advice recommended before use. We reproduce it as it stands, without interpreting it, while pointing out that what we have here is micronised oat flakes — in other words, a cereal.

The 2.9 g of fibre per serving is an asset but can trouble a sensitive gut if you go from none to three servings overnight. Build up gradually.

What not to expect from it: it is not a protein, and 3.9 g per serving replaces no shake. Nor is it a slimming product — 113 kcal a serving are calories like any others, simply good-quality ones. And if your goal is mass gain, this powder contributes to it but does not replace a complete gainer.

Oat flour or cream of rice — which to choose?

Both occupy the same place in an eating plan and are separated by three specific criteria.

Cream of rice is more digestible, almost fibre-free, and better suited to just before or just after training, when a light stomach is preferable. It is also naturally gluten-free, which settles the question once and for all for anyone intolerant. Its texture is smoother and more neutral.

Oat flour provides more fibre, slightly more protein, and slower digestion. It is the better choice for breakfast and for snacks that have to last several hours. On the other hand it has a coarser texture, which not everyone enjoys.

The third criterion is taste, and it often settles matters: the choice of flavours here is wider than it generally is in cream of rice. On a product eaten every morning, palate fatigue is a real issue. A spoonful of peanut butter in the bowl solves the problem for both, as it happens.

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are in a serving?

113 kcal per 30 g made up with water, with 18.3 g of carbohydrate, 3.9 g of protein and 2.9 g of fibre. With semi-skimmed milk, count on around a hundred extra calories and a markedly higher protein intake.

Does it contain gluten?

Oats do not contain it naturally, but the manufacturer flags a possible presence of gluten through cross-contamination. This product is therefore not suitable for coeliacs or for strictly intolerant people. If you need a guaranteed gluten-free option, cream of rice is the right choice.

Is there any added sugar?

No. The table shows 1.3 g of sugars per 100 g, which corresponds to the sugars naturally present in oats. The taste of the flavoured versions comes from the flavourings and from three sweeteners: sucralose, acesulfame potassium and steviol glycosides.

Can you bake with it?

Yes, and it is in fact one of its best uses: pancakes, crêpes, muffins. Bear in mind that it does not rise like wheat flour and gives denser results. Replacing half the flour in a recipe is a good starting point.

Which flavours are available?

The range includes an unflavoured version, flavoured versions and chocolate versions. The list that is actually available is the set of variants offered on this page: that is what counts, since deliveries do not always cover the whole range.

Can you mix it with a protein?

Yes, and that is the most common use: 30 g of oat flour with 25 g of protein makes a complete breakfast in a single shaker. The mix is thicker, so add 50 ml more liquid than usual.

How much when bulking?

The manufacturer suggests 50 g per serving and two to three servings a day in that case, against 30 g in the morning and before the session for maintenance. Build up gradually: jumping straight to an extra 9 g of fibre a day makes itself felt on your digestion.

Where to buy IO Genix Farine d'Avoine?

The various flavours 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 first product we suggest to anyone who tells us they cannot swallow a thing before eleven in the morning: drinking your breakfast still works better than skipping the meal while promising yourself you will do better tomorrow. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Nutriting nuPower?

Nutriting nuPower is a French multivitamin complex in tablet form. The daily dose is four tablets, and it brings together twelve vitamins, four minerals and six antioxidant actives. Nutriting is a French brand founded in 2012, known for publishing detailed formulas rather than proprietary blends — and on that count, it keeps its word here.

What sets the product apart has less to do with the vitamins than with what comes alongside them. Next to the standard foundation you will find 200 mg of N-acetyl-cysteine, 100 mg of R-alpha-lipoic acid, 100 mg of green tea extract, 50 mg of quercetin, 30 mg of coenzyme Q10 and 5 mg of lutein. Those six are practically never found in a supermarket multivitamin, and that is what explains the price gap with a high-street pharmacy product.

The forms chosen deserve a mention: vitamin B6 as pyridoxal-5-phosphate, vitamin B9 as L-methylfolate, vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, vitamin C as Quali-C®. These are active or patented forms, more expensive than their standard equivalents. The product is free from gluten, GMOs, titanium dioxide, colourings and animal gelatine. It joins our multivitamins range.

What do four nuPower tablets contain?

Two caveats, in the name of transparency. First, the number of tablets per box is not disclosed in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work out exactly how long a box lasts. Second, the nutrition table describes magnesium and zinc as citrates, whereas the ingredients list mentions magnesium carbonate and zinc gluconate. The quantities themselves are not in question; we are flagging the discrepancy rather than settling it on the brand's behalf.

The wording permitted under European regulations applies to this foundation, and there is plenty of it: vitamins B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, vitamin C and magnesium contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue; vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, vitamin C, magnesium and iodine contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism; vitamins C and E, zinc and selenium contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress; vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and normal muscle function; zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis. No claim, on the other hand, is authorised in Europe for N-acetyl-cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, quercetin, coenzyme Q10 or lutein. They are there for the formulation, not for a promise.

How should you take nuPower?

Dose: 4 tablets a day. Liquid: a glass of water. Timing: with meals, ideally 2 in the morning and 2 at midday; taking all 4 at once during a main meal is still fine if that makes life easier. Frequency: one or two servings a day. Duration: a 2 to 3-month course for a baseline effect, and it can be used all year round.

Two practical points. Taking it with a meal genuinely matters: vitamins A, D and E are fat-soluble, and the meal provides the fats that support their absorption. And avoid taking it in the evening. That is not superstition: the B-vitamin complex and the green tea extract have no place just before bed for anyone who is sensitive to them.

If you train, keep taking it on rest days too. A multivitamin works through consistency, not through peaks — four tablets on session day and nothing for the rest of the week makes no sense at all. Lastly, do not stack it with other supplements delivering the same nutrients: between nuPower, a separate magnesium and a winter vitamin D, the total adds up fast.

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

It is aimed at adults who want a broad micronutrient foundation in a single product, rather than stacking up five different tubs. Heavy training blocks, periods of passing fatigue or an irregular diet are the most common cases we see over the counter. The formula also suits anyone looking for active forms — methylfolate, methylcobalamin, pyridoxal-5-phosphate — rather than the standard ones.

There are several cases where it is not suitable. The product is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women and must not be used under the age of 18. Medical advice is required in the case of heart conditions or anticoagulant treatment, because of the vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 it contains. People with diabetes should ask their doctor for advice before use. And if you are on any form of medication, the question needs asking before you buy, not after. The product may contain traces of GLUTEN, SOYA and MILK depending on manufacturing conditions.

What you should not expect from it: a multivitamin does not fix an unbalanced diet, it fills gaps. It will not make you lose weight, it will not build muscle, and it replaces no blood test. If you have been feeling tired for months, the right course of action is testing prescribed by your doctor — not a supplement bought blind.

nuPower or vitamins bought separately?

That is the real trade-off, and the answer depends above all on how much you know about your own needs.

Buying separately remains the better choice when you have an identified shortfall. If a blood test shows low vitamin D, you need a vitamin D dosed accordingly: nuPower's 5 µg covers 100% of the NRV, which is maintenance, not correction. The same logic applies to magnesium, whose 125 mg covers 33% of the NRV — well below what the dedicated products in our magnesium range offer. Buying separately also lets you choose your forms and pay less per milligram.

nuPower wins on coverage and on sticking with it. Twenty-two nutrients in a single serving, including six actives — NAC, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea, quercetin, coenzyme Q10 and lutein — that you would otherwise have to buy as that many separate tubs. Do the maths: add up the price of a basic multivitamin, a NAC and a CoQ10, and the gap closes quickly. Not to mention that a single product taken at breakfast is something you can keep up over time, where five tubs end up at the back of a cupboard.

Frequently asked questions

How many tablets should you take a day?

Four, which is the full daily dose the values in the table are based on. Cutting down to two tablets mechanically halves every intake: that is not a harmless half-measure, it is a different formula.

How long does a box last?

We cannot say: the number of tablets per pack does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer. We would rather flag that than put forward an estimate. At four tablets a day, do the maths as soon as the box arrives.

Can it be taken in the evening?

That is not recommended. The manufacturer advises taking it in the morning and at midday, not least because the formula contains a green tea extract and a B-vitamin complex. In sensitive people, a late serving can make it harder to fall asleep.

What are the NAC and alpha-lipoic acid in the formula?

N-acetyl-cysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid derivative, present here at 200 mg. R-alpha-lipoic acid is a sulphur compound the body produces naturally, dosed at 100 mg. No health claim is authorised in Europe for either one: we describe them, we do not attribute any effect to them.

Is it suitable for vegetarians?

The formula contains no animal gelatine and the tablet coating is made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The manufacturer does not, however, explicitly claim vegetarian or vegan certification in the data available to us, and we will not write it on their behalf.

Can it be combined with another supplement?

Yes, provided you add things up. Vitamin C is already at 150% of the NRV and zinc at 150%: adding a product from our zinc or vitamin C range would push you high with no extra benefit. Check the totals before you stack.

Why is vitamin B9 in methylfolate form?

Because it is the form the body can use directly, unlike folic acid, which has to be converted. It is a more expensive formulation choice, consistent with the other active forms chosen for this product — pyridoxal-5-phosphate for B6, methylcobalamin for B12.

Where can you buy Nutriting nuPower?

The product can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. Nutriting remains a brand we often recommend: the formulas are set out in full, which makes it possible to compare honestly with something else — an impossible exercise with proprietary blends.

At our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we are always happy to take the time to compare a label with what you are already taking: that is often where you discover three duplicates and one gap. The rest of the range can be found in the Nutriting collection.

What is IO Genix Cream of Rice?

IO Genix Crème de Riz is a pre-cooked rice flour, ground to a fine powder and designed to be reconstituted with hot water. It belongs to the family of instant carbohydrate sources, alongside oat flour and sweet potato flour.

The composition of the unflavoured version comes down to three words: pre-cooked rice flour. The flavoured versions add flavourings and three sweeteners — sucralose, acesulfame potassium and steviol glycosides. The chocolate flavours contain cocoa powder, and the Caramel Salé version contains sodium chloride. It is a short list, and on this type of product that is exactly what you want.

The flavours listed — Chokokrac, Black Cookies, Caramel Salé, Marie Cookies, Chocolat Peanut Butter, Rochello, Stracciatella, Praliné, Nutchoc, Crema Rica Cookies, Chocolat Amazonico, White Choco Rings, Dubai Chocolate — plus an unflavoured version, with no flavouring or sweetener, to cook with as you see fit. The product joins our cream of rice and IO Genix aisles.

What does a serving of cream of rice contain?

* Columns calculated from the values declared per 100 g, as the manufacturer does not publish a per-serving column. The energy value is given in kilocalories only, with no kilojoule equivalent, and fibre is not declared. The manufacturer also mentions the presence of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium and iron without publishing the amounts: without figures, no nutrition or health claim can be made for these nutrients, and so we will not make one.

The figure that defines the product is the ratio of 77 g of carbohydrate to just 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g. In other words, almost all of the carbohydrate content is starch. That is what sets a cream of rice apart from a maltodextrin or a sugary gainer: you get the energy without the simple-sugar load, in a preparation you can drink.

A second useful point: 8.4 g of protein per 100 g. It is not a protein source and should not be treated as one — but it beats pure maltodextrin, which provides none at all. Finally, 2.7 g of fat and 0.4 g of salt per 100 g: two low values, consistent with a cereal flour.

How do you prepare cream of rice?

Serving: 30 to 50 g depending on the occasion. Liquid: 200 ml of hot water per 50 g, adjusted to the consistency you want. Timing: 45 to 60 minutes before training, or immediately after, or at breakfast. Frequency: 1 to 3 servings a day depending on your goal. Duration: none, it is a food.

Preparation is the product's real selling point: tip in 50 g, or one and a half scoops, into 200 ml of hot water, stir, and the cream is ready in thirty seconds. No pan, no cooking, no washing-up. Add water if you want it runnier, or cut it back for a thick, spoonable texture.

The guidelines by situation, as the manufacturer gives them: 30 to 40 g 45 to 60 minutes before training; 40 to 50 g immediately after; 30 g at breakfast, with fruit; 30 g as a snack between meals. For mass gain, count on 50 g per serving across two to three servings a day; when cutting, 30 g around training only.

Two combinations that work. With a protein, in a ratio of 40 g of cream to 25 g of powder: it is the easiest post-training shake to put together. And in cooking, in pancakes, crêpes or bowl cakes, where the unflavoured version gives you the most freedom. A plant-based milk in place of water changes the texture completely.

Who is cream of rice for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed first at those who struggle to eat enough carbohydrate: limited appetite, short days, sessions close to mealtimes. Drinking 183 kcal of carbohydrate is far easier than getting through the equivalent in cooked rice. It also suits those who digest a solid meal poorly before training: a liquid texture goes down better than a plate an hour before a session.

The manufacturer states that the product is not suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children or people on medical treatment, and advises consulting a doctor before use. It may contain traces of EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA. Store it in a dry place away from light. If you experience any adverse effect, stop and seek advice.

Here is what not to expect from it. It is not a protein source: 4.2 g in a 50 g serving does not count towards a protein total. Nor is it a weight-loss product — 183 kcal a serving is energy, and energy that is easy to swallow, which is precisely the opposite of what you want in a strict deficit. And there is nothing magical about rice flour: it is ground, pre-cooked rice. Its value lies in convenience, not in any nutritional superiority over a bowl of rice.

Cream of rice or maltodextrin?

Both are powdered carbohydrate sources, and we are often asked which to choose. The answer depends on the time of day.

Maltodextrin is the better choice during and immediately after exercise, particularly in endurance sports. It dissolves in cold water, can be drunk from a bottle, and its rapid absorption is precisely what is asked of it. On that ground, cream of rice cannot replace it: it is thick, it is prepared with hot water, and you cannot drink it while pedalling.

Cream of rice wins everywhere else. Its profile is that of a food rather than a sugar: 77 g of carbohydrate of which only 0.3 g is sugars, against a maltodextrin made up of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate. It fills you up, it has flavour, it can be cooked with, and it provides 8.4 g of protein per 100 g. For breakfast, a snack, or the pre-training meal, this is the one to reach for. The other options in the aisle — waxy maize, cyclic dextrin — sit on the maltodextrin side, not the food side.

Frequently asked questions

Hot water or cold?

Hot water, 200 ml per 50 g. The flour is pre-cooked, which lets it thicken as soon as it meets heat — allow thirty seconds of stirring. With cold water, the texture stays grainy and far less pleasant.

How many servings are there in a bag?

The net weight of the packaging does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work it out. Divide the weight stated on the packaging by 50 g, or by 30 g depending on your usual serving.

Does the unflavoured version have any taste?

Very little: it is pre-cooked rice flour, with no flavouring or sweetener. That is a drawback if you drink it on its own, and an advantage if you cook with it — it imposes no flavour on your preparations, and you control the sweetness.

Can you mix it with whey?

Yes, and it is in fact the most common use. The manufacturer suggests 40 g of cream to 25 g of protein. Make the cream up with hot water first, let it cool for a minute, then add the protein: poured into a scalding liquid, a whey can curdle.

How much should you take before training?

30 to 40 g, 45 to 60 minutes before the session, according to the manufacturer's guidelines. That works out at 110 to 146 kcal and 23 to 31 g of carbohydrate. Beyond that, and especially less than an hour before exercise, the volume can become uncomfortable.

Does it contain gluten?

Rice flour does not contain any naturally. The manufacturer does not, however, claim a "gluten-free" designation in the data available to us, and flags possible traces of eggs, milk, fish and soya. If you have coeliac disease, check the label on the bag.

Is it suitable when cutting?

Yes, provided you keep the dose in check. The manufacturer recommends 30 g around training only, or 110 kcal. In its favour: 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g and a filling texture. Against it: this is liquid energy, easy to consume without noticing.

Where to buy IO Genix Crème de Riz?

All the available flavours can be ordered from this page, including the unflavoured version. We ship throughout France and Europe.

This is a product that is better chosen in store than online, because the difference in taste between a Stracciatella and a Chocolat Amazonico cannot be guessed from a photo. Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, stocks them all, and it is the moment to leave with two different bags rather than two of the same.

What is Bolero Sugar-Free Drink?

Bolero Sugar-Free Drink is a powder to dilute, sold in individual 9 g sachets. One sachet flavours between 1.5 and 3 litres of water, depending on the intensity you are after. It is neither a food supplement nor a sports drink: it is a concentrated, sweetened flavouring that makes tap water drinkable when plain water bores you.

The brand is Bulgarian and offers a very wide range, from classics such as lemon, peach or strawberry-banana through to more unusual registers — ginger, cinnamon, guanabana, goji berry, almond. The flavours available at any given moment vary with deliveries; the list shown on this page is the one matching actual stock.

On the label, the list fits on a single line: acids (citric acid, malic acid), inulin fibre, natural flavourings, sweeteners (acesulfame K, sucralose, steviol glycosides extracted from stevia), acidity regulator, anti-caking agent, thickeners (guar gum, gum arabic), L-ascorbic acid and natural colours. No preservatives, no aspartame. At 0.80 € a sachet, the litre works out at a few cents — that is the real argument, and it has nothing to do with nutrition.

What does a glass of Bolero contain once prepared?

The values below are those of the reconstituted drink, not of the powder. That is the useful reading: nobody swallows a dry sachet.

* Nutrient reference values for a typical adult. The manufacturer does not publish a separate “of which sugars” line, nor a value for salt: we are not going to reconstruct it on their behalf. The figures correspond to an average dilution and may shift from one flavour to another.

Two numbers are worth pausing on. 2 kcal per 100 ml, or around twenty calories per litre: over a day in which you drink two litres of flavoured water, that comes to 40 kcal. It is negligible within a deficit, and it is exactly what you ask of this kind of product. Then the 12 mg of vitamin C per 100 ml, or 15% of the NRV — above the threshold that allows a drink to be described as a source of vitamin C. On that basis, the authorised wordings apply: vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. A prepared litre provides around 120 mg. It is not the reason to buy the product, but it is not nothing either.

How do you prepare a Bolero sachet?

One 9 g sachet, in 1.5 to 3 litres of cold water, once a day at most according to the daily portion stated by the manufacturer. There is no course to follow: it is a drink, it is used as you go, for as long as you like.

Setting the intensity comes down to three benchmarks: 1.5 litres for a bold, tangy taste, 2 litres for the most common balance, 3 litres if you simply want to break the neutrality of water without feeling you are drinking a cordial. Start at 2 litres and adjust from there.

Pour the powder into an already filled bottle and shake for thirty seconds: the gums need agitation to disperse, otherwise you will be left with lumps at the bottom. An opened bottle keeps in the fridge and should be drunk within twenty-four hours.

Beyond water, the powder is also used to flavour fromage blanc, plain yoghurt or a serving of neutral-tasting BCAAs and EAAs, which many people find hard to finish. Half a sachet is more than enough in that case.

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

The product is aimed first at people who do not drink enough because water bores them, and at those trying to get away from fizzy drinks without turning to the shop-bought diet versions. During a cutting phase, it is also a simple way to add variety without adding calories, in the same way as our zero sauces.

It is not suitable in several cases. If you are sensitive to intense sweeteners — bloating, digestive discomfort —, start with a 3-litre dilution, or give it a miss: the formula contains three of them, acesulfame K, sucralose and steviol glycosides. The manufacturer recommends not exceeding one sachet a day and that children drink it under adult supervision. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before making daily use of it. Anyone who is diabetic or following a medically supervised diet should discuss it with their doctor rather than rely on a product page.

And above all, what not to expect from it. Bolero does not make you lose weight: it avoids calories, which is not the same thing. With 1 mg of sodium per 100 ml, it is not a rehydration drink either; after two hours out in the sun, what you need is real electrolytes, not a flavouring. And it contains no stimulants, unlike what the energy drinks section offers.

Bolero or an electrolyte powder?

The question comes up often at the counter, because the two come in the same form: a powder, some water, a taste. Yet they are two products that answer different needs.

Bolero is a flavouring. Its value lies in the volume it allows you to drink: 1.5 to 3 litres per sachet, at a derisory cost, with 2 kcal per 100 ml. Use it for everyday hydration, at the office, in the car, across the whole day.

An electrolyte powder provides sodium, potassium and magnesium in stated amounts, precisely what Bolero does not have. It is the better choice as soon as you sweat heavily: a long session in a heated gym, running in summer, endurance sport beyond an hour, or the day after a heatwave. In those situations, flavouring water is not enough, and nobody should be selling you the opposite.

The two combine very well: minerals during training, Bolero for the rest of the day. And if you are looking for energy before a session, it is the pre-workouts you should be looking at, not this.

Frequently asked questions

How many litres does a 9 g sachet make?

From 1.5 to 3 litres, as you prefer. At 1.5 litres the taste is pronounced and slightly acidic; at 3 litres it becomes discreet. The dilution recommended by the manufacturer, the one that suits most people, is around 2 litres per sachet.

Does Bolero contain aspartame?

No. The sweeteners used are acesulfame K, sucralose and steviol glycosides extracted from stevia. The label explicitly mentions the absence of aspartame, as well as the absence of gluten and lactose.

Does Bolero hydrate better than water?

No, and the formulation does not allow for it: 1 mg of sodium per 100 ml is far too little to talk about rehydration in the sense that sports drinks mean it. What the product changes is the amount you actually drink. Drinking two litres of flavoured water rather than one litre of plain water is the only mechanism at work, and it is more than enough.

Which flavour should you choose to start with?

The tangy flavours go down best on a first order: lemon, iced peach, strawberry, watermelon. The unusual registers — cinnamon, ginger, almond, guanabana — are good but divisive, so save them for a second purchase. At 0.80 € a sachet, trying three flavours costs less than a bottle of fizzy drink.

Can it be used to flavour unflavoured amino acids?

Yes, and it is a common use. Half a sachet in a shaker of unflavoured EAAs or glutamine is enough to make the mix drinkable. Just take care not to add up two full sachets in the same day, since the manufacturer recommends sticking to one.

Is it suitable for children?

The manufacturer asks that consumption by a child takes place under parental supervision. Given the intense sweetener content, a generous dilution and occasional use are more sensible than a daily bottle. If in doubt, your pharmacist will answer better than we can.

Is the composition the same across all flavours?

The base is identical, but the flavourings and the natural colours change, and the nutritional values may vary slightly at the margin. The colour comes from a carrot concentrate on the flavours concerned. Always refer to the label of the sachet you have in your hand.

Where can you buy Bolero Sugar-Free Drink?

Every flavour in stock can be ordered from this page, individually, which lets you put together your own selection without buying a whole box of a flavour you do not like. We ship throughout France and Europe.

At Vendargues, in our shop about ten minutes from Montpellier, the sachets are displayed loose and it is the shelf customers spend the most time in front of: picking five flavours at random remains the best method. The rest of the range can be found in the Bolero collection, and the other ways of adding flavour without sugar — powders, syrups, flavourings — in flavourings and sweeteners.

What is Rabeko zero calorie sauce?

Rabeko sauces are condiment sauces reformulated to contain very few calories. Depending on the flavour, they provide 15 to 25 kcal per 100 g, with 0 to 0.5 g of sugars and 0 to 0.5 g of fat. The usual serving is 15 to 20 g, or one to two tablespoons.

The principle is simple: a base of water and modified maize starch replaces the oil and sugar of a conventional sauce, and the sweetness comes from sucralose. An ordinary barbecue sauce sits at around 150 kcal per 100 g, a mayonnaise at around 700. That is the gap, and it is a considerable one.

The flavours in the range: Ketchup, BBQ, Curry, Samouraï, Burger, Sweet Mayo, Truffle Mayo, Teriyaki, Honey Mustard, Snack Sauce, Sriracha, Garlic Zero, Sauce César and Sweet Chili. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our Rabeko department, and the other products in this category in our zero sauce department.

What does a Rabeko sauce contain?

The figure that matters is not the one per 100 g, it is the one per serving. Nobody eats 100 g of sauce in one go. At 20 g — a generous tablespoon on a plate — you are between 3 and 5 kcal. In other words, the sauce drops out of the calculation. That is exactly what this kind of product is asked to do, and it explains why it does so well during a period of restriction.

As a guide, flavour by flavour: the Barbecue is declared at 15 kcal per 100 g, the Ketchup at 20 kcal. These are the manufacturer's labelling values. They vary slightly from one recipe to the next, and the exact table appears on the bottle you receive.

One point to know if you are following a strict diet: the Barbecue recipe includes roasted sugar syrup in its ingredients list, in quantities too small to show up in the "of which sugars" line. This is not a contradiction — the nutrition declaration and the ingredients list follow different rules — but it is better to know it than to discover it on the label.

In regulatory terms, two claims are governed and verifiable here: "no added sugars" and "low fat" rest on precise thresholds set by European regulation, which these recipes meet. No promise of an effect, on the other hand — on weight, satiety or digestion — is permitted for a sauce. This product does not support a diet: it makes a diet bearable, which is not the same thing.

Ingredients list

The composition varies with the flavour. Two representative examples:

Barbecue: water, tomato purée, modified maize starch, salt, roasted sugar syrup, onion, food acids (acetic acid, citric acid), paprika, vinegar, garlic, thickener (guar gum), smoke flavouring, chilli, preservative (potassium sorbate), parsley, sweetener (sucralose).

Ketchup: water, tomato purée, modified maize starch, salt, food acids (citric acid, acetic acid), onion, preservative (potassium sorbate), chilli, sage, nutmeg, cinnamon, sweetener (sucralose).

The allergens change from one flavour to another: you must check the label on the bottle you choose. The mayonnaise-style sauces contain EGG and MUSTARD; the Teriyaki contains SOYA and GLUTEN; some curry recipes contain LACTOSE. Most flavours are gluten free and lactose free, but not all of them.

How do you use Rabeko sauces?

Serving: 15 to 20 g depending on the dish. Preparation: shake before use; the sauce is used straight from the bottle, with no dilution. Temperature: hot or cold. Uses: alongside grilled meat, fish and vegetables; dressing salads, sandwiches and wraps; as a dipping sauce; as a marinade or the base of a cooked dish. Storage: in the fridge once opened, to be used within four weeks.

Shake the bottle properly, not for three seconds. These sauces are thickened with guar gum and starch, without a heavy emulsifier: the texture separates slightly when left to stand. A well-shaken bottle gives an even sauce; a barely shaken one gives a thin liquid first, then a thick residue at the bottom.

They hold up to cooking, and that is what they do best. A spoonful of Teriyaki or Barbecue added to a chicken breast at the end of cooking turns a cutting-phase meal into something edible. As a marinade, leave it to work for at least twenty minutes before cooking.

Refrigerating after opening is not optional. These sauces contain a great deal of water and very little sugar or fat — two natural preservatives that they have precisely been stripped of. Potassium sorbate does the rest, but four weeks refrigerated after opening is the sensible limit.

To round out a lighter kitchen, the same logic exists elsewhere: a cooking spray replaces the oil in the pan, and a zero jam does the same job on your morning toast.

Who are these sauces for, and who are they not for?

They are for anyone following a controlled diet who has had enough of plain chicken and rice. That is the number one reason people buy them, and it is a perfectly legitimate one: a diet you stick to for three months beats a perfect diet abandoned after ten days.

They are not suitable without checking if you have an allergy. This is the most important point on this page: the allergens vary with the flavour. Egg, mustard, soya, gluten and lactose may be present depending on the recipe. Do not rely on what is true of one flavour, read the label of the one you are buying.

They are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, in line with the statement carried by the manufacturer. And if you are following a strict medical diet — low salt, low residue — ask a healthcare professional for advice: the salt content varies with the flavour and is not negligible in some of them.

What you should not expect from them. They do not make you lose weight: they avoid adding calories, which is very different. They have no digestive or metabolic virtue. And the manufacturer notes a possible laxative effect if consumed to excess — meaning: if you empty a bottle in two days. At 20 g per meal, the question does not arise.

Zero sauce, or a conventional sauce in small amounts?

That is the real question, and it deserves better than a sales answer.

A teaspoon of conventional mayonnaise is around 35 kcal. That is not the end of the world. If you eat a balanced diet and have no numerical target, a small amount of a good sauce beats a product with fifteen ingredients including modified starch and sucralose. We say so freely across the counter, even if it is not what you would expect a retailer to say.

Zero sauce comes into its own when quantity is the problem. If you are one of those people who drown a plate in sauce, or if you are going through a period of restriction where every ten calories count, the gap becomes real: 5 kcal against 140 for the same amount of mayonnaise. That, and only that, is where this product changes something.

Another approach exists and costs less: seasoning with flavourings and sweeteners, spices, lemon, balsamic vinegar. It is less convenient than a bottle, but it is cooking without additives. To compare the ranges available, our Callowfit department offers another brand in the same niche, and our weight loss department brings together the products designed for this phase.

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are there in a serving?

Between 3 and 5 kcal for a 20 g serving, depending on the flavour, on the basis of 15 to 25 kcal per 100 g. That is the useful figure: nobody eats 100 g of sauce. A conventional sauce of the same volume provides between 30 and 140 kcal.

Which flavours are available?

In the range: Ketchup, BBQ, Curry, Samouraï, Burger, Sweet Mayo, Truffle Mayo, Teriyaki, Honey Mustard, Snack Sauce, Sriracha, Garlic Zero, Sauce César and Sweet Chili. The composition changes from one flavour to another, allergens included.

Do these sauces contain sugar?

The nutrition declaration gives 0 to 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g depending on the flavour, and the "no added sugars" claim is met. The Barbecue recipe does, however, include roasted sugar syrup in its ingredients list, in quantities too small to show up in the sugars line.

Which allergens should you watch out for?

That depends entirely on the flavour. The mayonnaise-style sauces contain egg and mustard, the Teriyaki soya and gluten, some curry recipes lactose. Most flavours are gluten free and lactose free, but you have to check bottle by bottle.

Can they be heated?

Yes, they can be used hot or cold. Added to meat at the end of cooking, or as a marinade twenty minutes beforehand, they hold up perfectly. This is in fact their most interesting use, more so than simply as a cold accompanying sauce.

How long do they keep once opened?

Four weeks in the fridge, with the bottle tightly closed. These recipes contain a great deal of water and very little sugar or fat, which are the natural preservatives of a conventional sauce. Refrigeration is therefore not a superfluous precaution.

Are they suitable for vegetarians?

Most of them are, but not those containing egg yolk — the mayonnaise-style recipes. As with the allergens, the answer depends on the flavour chosen and is there to be read on the bottle's label.

Where can you buy Rabeko sauces?

The bottles can be ordered from this page in the flavours available, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the aisle customers spend the longest in front of — and our advice is always the same: take two different ones rather than the same one twice. Over a three-month cutting phase, boredom arrives faster than hunger. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition department.

What is IO Genix Multivit?

It is a vitamin and mineral supplement in capsules, whose daily serving comes down to a single unit. That capsule brings together twelve vitamins and eight minerals, twenty micronutrients in all.

It is a classic multivitamin format: one serving in the morning, nothing to measure out, nothing to split. Its distinctive feature is that it contains iron at 100 % of the reference value, which not every formula does — and that point deserves reading before you buy, as we come back to below.

One point of composition to know straight away: the capsule coating is gelatine, coloured with calcium carbonate and starch sodium octenyl succinate. The product is therefore suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section.

What does a capsule contain?

NRV within the meaning of Regulation 1169/2011. The exact number of capsules per box does not appear in the labelling data passed on to us; the manufacturer refers to a 60-day course corresponding to a full box, which suggests 60 capsules — check it on the packaging rather than taking our word for it.

An honest reading of this table yields three lessons. The first is good: five nutrients reach 100 % of the NRV (B2, B3, biotin, folate, vitamin D, plus iodine and iron), and zinc goes as far as 150 %. All of them are well above the 15 % threshold that permits the regulatory wordings to be used, which is not the case for every multivitamin on the market.

The second is more qualified. Vitamin D at 5 µg covers 100 % of a reference value that is itself very low: in winter, at our latitudes, that dose will not do much for your status. If that is your concern, a dedicated product from the vitamin D section will be far more useful. The same goes for vitamin B12 at 40 %, which is not enough on a vegan diet.

The third is the most important, and nobody writes it: this multivitamin contains 14 mg of iron, as ferrous fumarate. For a menstruating woman, that is relevant. For an adult man or a post-menopausal woman, diet generally covers the requirement, and iron is not easily cleared: it builds up. It is not a nutrient to be taken “just in case” all year round for no reason. If that is your situation, choose an iron-free multivitamin instead, and keep the iron section for cases where a blood test has justified it.

The regulatory wordings available here are numerous; the main ones are these: iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body, to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue; vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, to the normal function of the immune system and increases iron absorption; iodine contributes to normal thyroid function; zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress; vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.

How do you take Multivit?

Serving: 1 capsule. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: in the morning, with breakfast. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: a course of at least 60 days, with the option of a week off every three months.

The instruction to take it at breakfast is not a matter of convenience. Four of the nutrients in this formula — vitamins A, D and E and beta-carotene — are fat-soluble: they need fat in the stomach in order to be absorbed. A capsule swallowed on an empty stomach with a black coffee means part of what you paid for leaves again untouched. A breakfast containing a little fat — eggs, full-fat fromage frais, nuts — is more than enough.

Two points about combining. The iron and the zinc in this formula are present at a full dose: do not add a zinc or iron supplement on top without doing the sum first. And if you take magnesium or calcium as a supplement, leave two hours between them: these minerals compete for the same intestinal transporters.

On duration: do not judge it after a week. A multivitamin corrects intakes, it does not produce a sensation. That is in fact the best criterion for spotting a product that promises too much.

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

It suits adults whose diet is irregular, periods of heavy training load, and phases of prolonged calorie deficit — three situations in which micronutrient intakes drop as a matter of course. It suits menstruating women particularly well, for whom iron at 100 % of the NRV is a real advantage.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and in case of allergy to any of the ingredients. Traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA are possible. Store in a dry place, away from light, out of the reach of children.

It is not suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as the coating is gelatine. Nor is it suitable, and we will say so plainly, for an adult man who eats a balanced diet and has no reason to supplement with iron: in that particular case, an iron-free formula is more appropriate. Finally, two of the forms chosen here are not the best in their category — zinc oxide and calcium carbonate are among the least well absorbed salts.

What not to expect from it: a multivitamin does not replace vegetables, does not give energy to someone whose status is normal, and improves no performance. “Contributing to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue” means filling a gap, not powering up an ordinary day. It is a safety net, not an engine.

A multivitamin or separate supplements?

That is the real trade-off in this category, and it depends on how precisely you know what you need.

The multivitamin wins on simplicity and on coverage. One capsule, twenty nutrients, a single bottle to reorder, and the assurance of not leaving any one micronutrient at absolute zero. If you do not know what you are short of — which is true of most people — it is the rational choice, and by far the cheapest.

Separate supplements win as soon as the need has been identified. A dedicated vitamin D goes up to 25 or 50 µg where this multivitamin stops at 5. A vitamin C dosed at 1,000 mg bears no comparison with the 60 mg here. And above all, they let you avoid taking what you do not need — iron, once again, being the textbook case.

The advice we give most often: start with the multivitamin for two months. If a deficiency is suspected, have it measured, then target it. It is less spectacular than buying eight bottles, but it is how you avoid stacking three sources of zinc without noticing.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a multivitamin if you eat a balanced diet?

No, not as a matter of course, and nobody in the category will tell you so. A multivitamin makes sense when the diet is irregular, in a calorie deficit, or on a restrictive diet. In someone who eats a varied diet and eats enough, the extra intake brings nothing that has been demonstrated.

Why does this product contain iron?

Because it is a nutrient that is frequently insufficient in menstruating women. In an adult man or a post-menopausal woman, on the other hand, dietary intake is generally enough and iron builds up. If that is your case, an iron-free formula is more suitable, and a blood test will settle the question better than any product page.

Are the capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The coating agent is gelatine, of animal origin. It is a point rarely highlighted on this type of product, and yet it rules out a proportion of buyers: check it as a matter of habit before buying a multivitamin, whatever the brand.

Can it be combined with other supplements?

Yes, provided you add up the totals. Zinc here is at 150 % of the NRV and iron at 100 %: a second product containing either will push you over with no benefit. Leave two hours, too, between it and any calcium or magnesium serving, as those compete with these minerals for absorption.

Why take it at breakfast rather than in the evening?

For two reasons. Vitamins A, D and E are fat-soluble and are absorbed far better in the presence of fat, so with a meal. And the B vitamins are involved in energy metabolism: the manufacturer prefers to place them at the start of the day, which is a sensible habit.

How long does a box last?

The manufacturer refers to a 60-day course for a full box, at one capsule a day. The exact number of capsules does not appear in our labelling data: check it on the packaging. It recommends a week's break every three months.

Is zinc at 150 % of the NRV too much?

Not in itself: 15 mg remains well below the safety benchmark of 25 mg a day set by EFSA for zinc from supplements. The risk is not this product on its own, but stacking — an evening ZMA commonly adds 15 to 30 mg, and you go over without meaning to.

Where can you buy IO Genix Multivit?

The box can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. One capsule a day, two months of it: this is the easiest supplement to fit into a routine.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this category prompts a question we always ask first: is there iron in what you are already taking? It is the micronutrient where invisible stacking is most common, and the one it is best not to pile up. The rest of the micronutrients can be compared in our sports nutrition selection.

What is Sinob's Juiced EAA?

Sinob Juiced EAA is a powdered drink that brings together all nine essential amino acids. A 15 g serving provides 12 g of amino acids for 50 kcal, including 3 g of leucine, and neither carbohydrates nor fat. The 450 g tub covers 30 servings.

The essential amino acids are the nine the body cannot make for itself: leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, threonine, phenylalanine, methionine, histidine and tryptophan. All of them must therefore come from the diet. The first three make up the BCAAs, far better known, but it really is the nine that count.

That is the fundamental difference with a BCAA product, and it is easy to state: you do not build a protein with three bricks out of nine. An EAA formula supplies the full set. The rest of the German range can be browsed in our Sinob aisle, and the other products in the category in our EAA aisle.

What does a serving of Juiced EAA contain?

12 g of amino acids for 50 kcal is a ratio few products reach, and it is what justifies the price of this category. Relative to energy, protein here accounts for almost the whole of the calorie content. At that level an authorised claim becomes usable: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass, and to the maintenance of normal bones. These are the official wordings of the European framework, and they apply here because the product comfortably exceeds the required threshold.

It is, as it happens, the only solid regulatory argument in this entire aisle, and it is worth knowing: BCAAs on their own are not entitled to it. No claim is authorised for branched-chain amino acids taken in isolation. An EAA product with a proper protein content, on the other hand, falls within the scope of the protein claims. The difference is not commercial, it is regulatory.

The 3 g of leucine per serving is the second figure to look at. Leucine acts as a trigger in protein synthesis, and the research places the useful threshold at around 2.5 to 3 g per intake. You are there.

Data missing from the manufacturer's file: leucine alone is quantified. The amounts of the other eight essential amino acids are not disclosed, even though the order of the ingredients list allows their ranking to be guessed. We will not estimate them; the full profile appears on the packaging as supplied.

A small formulation curiosity: the list includes a black pepper extract, an ingredient usually employed as an absorption aid. Its amount is not disclosed either.

Ingredients list

Acidity regulator (citric acid), L-leucine, L-lysine, L-valine, L-isoleucine, L-lysine hydrochloride, L-threonine, L-phenylalanine, dextrose, flavouring, L-methionine, L-tryptophan, L-histidine, emulsifier (sunflower lecithins), maltodextrin, sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K), black pepper extract.

Manufactured in a facility that also handles MILK, EGGS, GLUTEN, SOYA, PEANUTS, NUTS, FISH and CRUSTACEANS.

How should Juiced EAA be taken?

Serving: 15 g, i.e. one scoop. Liquid: 300 to 500 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 minutes before the session, during training, or just after. Frequency: one serving around training; two during a calorie deficit. Duration: no set course.

Shake for around twenty seconds: it dissolves instantly and without lumps. Drink it straight away. The volume of water is your adjustment variable: 300 ml gives a drink with a strong taste, 500 ml a lighter one, better suited to a long session you sip your way through.

The most defensible time to take it is around training, and particularly if you train fasted in the morning or a long way from your last meal. In that case, a serving 30 minutes beforehand delivers the nine amino acids at the moment the body has nothing else available, and free amino acids reach the bloodstream quickly, faster than a protein that has to be digested.

During a calorie deficit, the manufacturer suggests two servings a day. That is consistent: when food intake drops, the 50 kcal of a serving represent a near-zero energy cost for a genuine amino acid intake.

If, on the other hand, you already take a protein shake straight after the session, adding an EAA one brings nothing. A whey contains the nine essential amino acids and the other eleven. Choose one or the other depending on the moment, not both one after the other. This product does, however, combine without redundancy with creatine monohydrate, with electrolytes on long sessions, or with a carbohydrate source during exercise.

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

It is aimed first and foremost at three profiles: those who train fasted, those in a calorie deficit who watch every calorie, and those who digest protein powder badly during exercise. In those three cases, a free amino acid drink at 50 kcal does a job that no whey does as well.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, for children and for people on medical treatment, with prior medical advice in the latter case. The facility statement is broad — milk, eggs, gluten, soya, peanuts, nuts, fish and crustaceans — and should be read carefully by anyone with an allergy.

The formula contains sucralose and acesulfame K. If you avoid artificial sweeteners, look elsewhere.

What not to expect from it. It is not a meal replacement: 50 kcal feed nobody. It is not a stimulant, there is no caffeine and nothing else stimulating in it. And above all, it is not a protein replacement: 12 g of essential amino acids are useful, but 25 g of complete protein costs less and covers more needs. If your daily protein intake is already adequate and you do not train fasted, this product will mainly be a pleasant drink.

EAA or whey isolate?

This is the real comparison to make before buying, and it turns out differently depending on the time of day.

A whey isolate provides 25 g of complete protein per serving, with the nine essential amino acids and the eleven non-essential ones, at a markedly lower cost per gram of protein. On purely nutritional grounds, it wins every time. If your objective is to cover your daily protein needs, our whey isolate aisle is where to go, without hesitation.

EAAs have two precise advantages, and only two. The first is lightness: 50 kcal against 110 to 120 for a serving of whey, which genuinely counts when you are cutting. The second is digestion: free amino acids require no digestive work, which makes them drinkable during exercise where a milky shake sits heavily on the stomach.

When is whey clearly the better choice? After the session, at breakfast, in a yoghurt, or as soon as budget comes into play. And compared with a BCAA product, this one is more complete for a similar price: that is the comparison that turns most clearly in its favour.

Frequently asked questions

How many amino acids per serving?

12 g of essential amino acids in a 15 g serving, including 3 g of leucine, with 50 kcal, zero carbohydrate and zero fat. Leucine is the only amino acid quantified by the manufacturer; the amounts of the other eight are not disclosed.

What is the difference with BCAAs?

BCAAs provide only three essential amino acids out of nine. EAAs provide them all. The difference is regulatory too: no claim exists for BCAAs, whereas a product high in protein such as this one comes under the authorised protein claims.

Which flavours are available?

The flavours available: mango-passion fruit, lime, orange, iced peach tea, iced lemon tea, cherry and forest fruits. On a product consumed several times a week, being able to alternate avoids the tub abandoned half full.

Can EAAs replace your protein?

No, not on cost. A whey provides 25 g of complete protein at a far lower cost per gram. EAAs are justified by how light they are in calories and by their immediate digestion, not as a daily substitute for a protein powder.

Can they be taken fasted?

Yes, and it is even one of their best uses. Free amino acids require no digestive work and reach the bloodstream quickly. A serving 30 minutes before a fasted morning session is the most coherent use of this product.

How many servings in the tub?

30 servings of 15 g in the 450 g tub. At four sessions a week, that comes to a little under two months. It is a more modest pack than a tub of BCAAs, the serving here being twice as heavy.

Are there any calories or sugar?

50 kcal per serving, zero carbohydrate and zero fat declared. The powder is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame K, with a small amount of dextrose and maltodextrin as carriers. It is compatible with a calorie deficit.

Where can you buy Sinob's Juiced EAA?

The 450 g tub can be ordered from this page, in one of the flavours available, and we ship anywhere in France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is the product we redirect most customers to when they come in looking for BCAAs: at a similar price, nine amino acids are worth more than three, and the question is settled in one sentence. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition selection.

What is Applied Nutrition's ABE Pre Workout?

Applied Nutrition ABE — short for All Black Everything — is a powdered pre-workout sold in a 375 g tub, that is 30 servings of 12.5 g. The British brand has turned it into its best-selling line, and it is probably the most recognisable pre-workout on the shelf, thanks to its boldly pitched flavours.

The formula is built around four actives with stated amounts: 4 g of citrulline malate 2:1, 3.25 g of creatine monohydrate, 2 g of beta-alanine and 200 mg of anhydrous caffeine. To these are added 200 mg of taurine, VitaCholine™ choline, niacin and vitamin B12. All of it sugar-free, sweetened with sucralose.

The flavours on offer run from Fruit Punch to Cherry-Cola by way of Candy Ice Blast, Sour Gummy Bear and Slush Puppie. The product sits in our pre-workouts and Applied Nutrition sections.

What does a 12.5 g serving contain?

Three dosages are missing — choline, niacin, vitamin B12 — and we are not going to invent them. The manufacturer does not publish the energy value or the macronutrient breakdown per serving either. That is a shame, because the rest of the label is precise to the milligram.

The 200 mg of caffeine define where the product sits, and it is an intelligent choice. It corresponds exactly to the benchmark EFSA uses for a single serving that raises no safety concern in healthy adults — whereas many competitors climb to 350 or 400 mg. In practice, you get a genuine stimulant effect without hitting your daily ceiling first thing in the morning.

The 3.25 g of creatine monohydrate exceed the 3 g per day threshold above which European regulations authorise the claim: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise. Read it carefully, though: that claim assumes a daily intake, and this product is only taken on training days. The 4 g of citrulline malate sit within the useful range without being remarkable. For citrulline, beta-alanine and taurine, no claim is authorised in Europe; for niacin, B12 and choline, approved wordings do exist, but since the dosages are not published we cannot verify that they reach the required thresholds.

How should you dose ABE Pre Workout?

Serving: 1 scoop of 12.5 g, one serving per day only. Liquid: 250 ml of cold water. Timing: 15 minutes before the session. Frequency: one serving per training day. Duration: in cycles of 6 to 8 weeks, followed by a break of 1 to 2 weeks.

New users start with a half serving of 6.25 g for the first seven days, as the manufacturer advises. At 200 mg of caffeine this is not essential for everyone, but it is the right way to find out your tolerance without ruining a session.

The manufacturer recommends taking it on an empty stomach or two hours after your last meal, and advises against taking it in the evening. Bear in mind that the stimulant effect stays noticeable for several hours: at 200 mg, a serving taken at 17:00 can still get in the way of falling asleep for anyone sensitive. For late sessions, the caffeine-free pre-workout section exists for exactly that.

Expect tingling within a quarter of an hour of taking it: that is the 2 g of beta-alanine, the sensation lasts around twenty minutes and has no consequences.

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

It is probably the pre-workout we most readily recommend for a first experience of the category. The dosages are serious without being extreme, the caffeine is at a sensible level, and the flavours are markedly more pleasant than the shelf average — a criterion that matters more than people admit when it comes to finishing a 375 g tub.

The restrictions are standard but real. High caffeine content: not recommended for children or for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Do not exceed one serving per day. Consult a healthcare professional if you have a known or suspected health condition, or if you are taking medication. The product contains no major allergen in its recipe, but it is manufactured in a facility that handles MILK, SOYA, EGGS, FISH, CELERY and CEREALS CONTAINING GLUTEN.

One thing to check before buying: if you already take creatine separately, the 3.25 g provided here are added on top on training days. That is not dangerous, it is simply money spent twice.

What you should not expect from it: strength or muscle. A pre-workout acts on alertness, focus and perceived effort. Creatine, for its part, works over weeks and only if taken every day — which this product does not allow for. And 200 mg of caffeine will not make up for a four-hour night.

ABE or a pre-workout with 400 mg of caffeine?

The question comes up often, and the answer has less to do with potency than with the way you train.

A heavily dosed pre-workout, at 350 or 400 mg of caffeine, earns its place in one specific case: two or three heavy sessions a week, for someone already well used to stimulants, who wants a pronounced effect and accepts not taking it the rest of the time. Those formulas also often list higher amounts of citrulline, sometimes 8 or 12 g. On that ground ABE is outdone, and there is no point pretending otherwise.

ABE wins on consistency. At 200 mg of caffeine, you can use it four or five times a week without sending your daily intake through the roof, which is impossible with a 400 mg formula. It also wins on the presence of creatine at a full dose, a rarity in this category, and on the flavours — a tub of pre-workout whose taste you tire of ends up at the back of a cupboard, whatever its dosages. If you want to avoid doubling up on creatine, a product from the creatine-free pre-workout section will suit you better.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are in the 375 g tub?

Thirty servings of 12.5 g. At four sessions a week, one tub covers a little over seven weeks — that is, the 6 to 8 week cycle the manufacturer recommends before the break.

Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot?

It is the equivalent of two espressos, and it corresponds exactly to EFSA's benchmark for a single serving in healthy adults. It is an unapologetic but measured dosage: enough to be felt, low enough not to mortgage the rest of your day.

Should you take creatine alongside it?

If you want the benefit of creatine, yes: it requires a daily intake, rest days included, whereas ABE is only taken before sessions. The 3.25 g in here are a bonus on training days, not a complete supplementation.

Why are some dosages not stated?

VitaCholine™ choline, niacin and vitamin B12 appear in the ingredient list with no quantity published in the data available to us. We flag that rather than estimate it. The four main actives, on the other hand, are given to the milligram.

Which flavour should you choose?

Fruit Punch and Bubble Gum are the safest bets; Cherry-Cola and Candy Ice Blast the most unusual; Sour Gummy Bear and Baddy-Berry the sharpest. This is the section with the widest range of tastes, and it is worth switching from one tub to the next.

Can it be taken on an empty stomach in the morning?

Yes, the manufacturer even recommends it: on an empty stomach or two hours after your last meal. The effect comes on faster. If you are sensitive to stimulants, taking it on a stomach that is not completely empty remains more comfortable the first time.

Is the tingling normal?

Yes, it comes from the 2 g of beta-alanine. It appears within a quarter of an hour, affects the face and the forearms, lasts around twenty minutes and is harmless. At 2 g the intensity stays moderate compared with formulas that put in 3 or 6 g.

Where can you buy Applied Nutrition ABE Pre Workout?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is the most requested pre-workout in our catalogue, and the only one where people regularly ask us to recommend the flavour rather than the formula.

In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the flavours are lined up on the shelf — that is still the best way to choose. The rest of the pre-training range can be compared from sports nutrition.

What is IO Genix Casein?

IO Genix Casein is a powdered micellar casein, providing 23 g of protein per 30 g serving. The raw material comes from New Zealand's Fonterra, one of the largest dairy processors in the world. The 900 g tub holds 30 servings, which is a month at one serving a day.

Micellar casein is not a slowed-down whey: it is the other milk protein, the one that makes up roughly 80 % of milk's protein fraction. What sets it apart is physical rather than chemical. On contact with stomach acid it forms a gel that empties slowly, which spreads the release of amino acids over several hours, where a whey is absorbed in an hour and a half. That is exactly what you want for the long overnight gap.

The flavours listed are Intense Chocolate and Original Black Cookies. The rest of the Spanish range appears in our IO Genix aisle.

What does a 30 g serving contain?

The per-100 g values are calculated from the manufacturer's declaration for a 30 g serving. Two caveats deserve to be set out in black and white.

First, the manufacturer does not publish the energy value of its product in the information available to us. We will not invent it; the label on the tub you receive is required to carry it.

Second, the published amino acid profile is arithmetically impossible: it states 20.1 g of BCAAs and 20.4 g of glutamine "per serving", which would make 40.5 g of amino acids in a serving that contains only 23 g in total. Those values are most likely expressed per 100 g of protein, but we will not decide that on the manufacturer's behalf and we would rather reproduce none of these figures than publish false ones. It is a point we have raised with them.

23 g of protein for 30 g of powder works out at 76.7 % — a very good rate for a casein, most of them sitting between 70 and 78 %. The manufacturer for its part states 75 %: the gap is minor and comes from rounding, but we would rather flag it than ignore it.

The figure worth pausing on is the 450 mg of calcium per serving, or 56 % of the daily reference value. This is not an addition: casein naturally carries milk's calcium, in the form of phosphate bound to the micelles. An evening serving therefore covers more than half of the daily calcium requirement, and calcium contributes to normal muscle function and to the maintenance of normal bones. It is the only genuinely quantifiable nutritional argument on this page, and it is a sound one.

The 1.5 g of carbohydrate and 0.8 g of fat per serving are low, which leaves a very clean shake, somewhere around a hundred kilocalories. That is consistent with the main use: an evening serving, when you no longer want to add anything to the day.

Lastly, the formula contains DigeZyme®, a complex of five enzymes — amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase — whose quantity is not published. The theoretical benefit is digestion of the powder, and lactase in particular for the residual lactose fraction. We cannot say more than that without a dose, and no claim is authorised for this complex. If digestion is your main problem, our digestive enzymes aisle offers products dosed for exactly that.

Ingredient list

Fonterra micellar casein (MILK), magnesium citrate, L-glutamine, cocoa powder, flavourings, emulsifier (SOYA lecithin), L-arginine HCl, L-ornithine HCl, L-lysine HCl, sweeteners (sucralose and sodium saccharin), DigeZyme® (multi-enzyme complex based on amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride). Contains MILK and SOYA lecithin. Possible traces of GLUTEN (OATS), EGG, FISH, NUTS and PEANUTS.

How do you take IO Genix Casein?

Serving: 30 g, that is one of the included scoops. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of water or skimmed milk. Timing: 45 minutes before bed, or between two widely spaced meals. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: no course duration, use is ongoing.

A shaker will do, but a blender gives a far better result: casein is thicker than a whey and lumps easily if you pour the powder in before the liquid. The order matters — liquid first, powder second.

Do not use hot water. Heat denatures the protein and turns the shake into something grainy and unpleasant. It is the number one cause of disappointment with a casein, and it is settled in one sentence.

A tip we hand out systematically across the counter: with only 100 ml of liquid and a spell in the fridge, the same serving takes on the texture of a dessert cream you eat with a spoon. For an evening serving that changes everything: it becomes a dessert rather than a shake, and it solves the problem for those who have no wish to drink half a litre before going to bed.

Casein combines without difficulty with a whey isolate taken at another point in the day: one after training, the other in the evening. That is not redundancy, it is two different speeds for two different needs.

Who is this casein right for, and who is it not right for?

It suits someone who eats dinner early and goes to bed late, someone who struggles to hit their protein target across the day, and someone looking for a filling serving at the end of the day. It also suits a calorie deficit, because a thick shake sits in the stomach far longer than a whey.

It contains milk and soya lecithin, which rules it out for anyone allergic to either of those two ingredients. Traces of gluten, egg, fish, nuts and peanuts are also flagged. It is not recommended for children, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is not suitable for the most sensitive lactose-intolerant users. Micellar casein contains little of it, and the presence of lactase in the DigeZyme® complex helps, but "little" is not "none at all". With a marked intolerance, a plant protein or a heavily filtered isolate remains safer.

What you should not expect from it: it does not build muscle overnight, and the idea that casein "protects against night-time catabolism" is a marketing line more than a demonstrated result. What it actually does is add 23 g of quality protein to a day that is short of it, at a moment when you are no longer hungry. That is concrete, it is useful, and it is enough to justify the purchase — but if your daily protein intake is already met, the additional benefit is slight.

Casein or whey for the evening serving?

It is the most common question in the protein aisle, and the answer is not the same for everyone.

A whey is absorbed quickly, with a peak of amino acids within the hour. It is the better choice after training, or when you want a light shake that does not sit heavily on the stomach. In the evening, its weakness is mechanical: the peak falls away within two hours, and there are seven hours of night left behind it.

Casein does the opposite. It rises less high, but it holds for several hours, and it is far more filling. It is the better choice for the bedtime serving, for a day with a long gap between two meals, or for someone who gets hungry in the evening and wants to avoid snacking. Its weakness is the texture: thicker, heavier, and noticeably less pleasant than whey for anyone who does not care for it.

If you are only going to buy one tub, buy an all-round protein. Casein is a second-line product: it makes sense once the first is already in place and you are looking to cover a specific slot.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings in a 900 g tub?

Thirty, at 30 g per serving, which is a month at one serving a day. It is a size consistent with the product's main use: an evening serving, every evening. If you only use it on training days, the tub will obviously last longer.

Can it be mixed with milk?

Yes, and it markedly improves both the taste and the texture. Skimmed milk adds about 5 g of protein and around ten grams of carbohydrate per 250 ml, which remains reasonable in the evening. With water, the shake is lighter and lower in calories, but also blander.

Why should you not use hot water?

Because heat denatures the proteins and makes the casein coagulate, so it turns grainy and unpleasant in the mouth. The nutritional content is not destroyed for all that, but the shake becomes hard to finish. Cold or room-temperature water only.

How do you get a dessert-cream texture?

Use only 100 ml of liquid instead of 250, mix thoroughly, then leave it in the fridge for thirty minutes. The casein swells and takes on a pudding-like consistency you eat with a spoon. It is the best use of the product for those who dislike drinking before sleep.

Is casein suitable for lactose-intolerant users?

Partly. It contains far less of it than a whey concentrate, and the lactase in the DigeZyme® complex breaks down part of what remains. That is enough for most moderate intolerances, but not for the more marked ones. If in doubt, start with a half serving.

Can it be taken after training?

Nothing forbids it, but that is not its territory. After a session, a fast-absorbing protein fits the moment better. Keep casein for the evening or for long gaps: that is where it brings something a whey cannot.

Why is there magnesium citrate in the list?

It appears second in the ingredients, which suggests a not insignificant quantity, but the manufacturer does not publish the dose. We therefore cannot state anything about its contribution or make any claim. If magnesium is what you are after, a dedicated product with a stated dose remains the right choice.

Where to buy IO Genix Casein?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we recommend to those who tell us they get hungry at 10 pm: a casein prepared with a thick texture solves that problem better than any appetite suppressant. The rest of the protein aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Omega 3?

It is a fish oil supplement in softgel capsules, with a daily serving of two capsules providing 2,000 mg of fish oil and 12 mg of vitamin E. The bottle covers 45 servings, that is a month and a half.

The formula is short: fish oil, vitamin E in the form of d-L-alpha-tocopherol acetate, and a shell made of gelatine, glycerine and water. Because the shell is gelatine, the product is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans — this is something few product pages mention, and it rules out a proportion of buyers straight away.

The vitamin E is not there by chance: polyunsaturated fatty acids oxidise, and adding a fat-soluble antioxidant to the oil is the usual way of slowing that process inside the capsule. At 12 mg per serving, it also reaches 100% of the nutrient reference value. The product sits in our omega 3 and IO Genix sections.

What does a two-capsule serving contain?

Pack size: 45 servings of 2 capsules. NRV for vitamin E within the meaning of Regulation 1169/2011: 12 mg.

The two “not disclosed” lines deserve a pause, because they are the single most important point on this page. The manufacturer declares 2,000 mg of fish oil but does not publish, in the labelling data available to us, the EPA and DHA contents. Yet those two figures, and those alone, are what makes it possible to compare one omega 3 with another. A fish oil can contain 18% EPA-DHA or 60%: the weight of oil tells you nothing.

The direct consequence, and we own it: we cannot use any of the authorised claims for omega 3. The wording “EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart” assumes an intake of at least 250 mg a day, and “DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision” assumes 250 mg of DHA. With no declared content, those thresholds cannot be verified. We would rather say so than repeat a figure found elsewhere: check the EPA/DHA statement printed on the bottle you receive, that is what counts.

What we can state without reservation concerns vitamin E: vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. At 100% of the NRV per serving, the regulatory threshold is comfortably cleared. On the published data as it stands, that is the only claim usable on this product.

One last safety marker: EFSA regards 5 g a day of combined EPA and DHA as an intake that raises no concern in adults. A serving of 2 g of total oil stays well below that, whatever the actual concentration.

How do you take IO Genix Omega 3?

Serving: 2 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: with a meal, morning or evening, it makes no difference. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: ongoing, as the manufacturer sets no fixed course length.

The “with a meal” instruction is not optional here, unlike with many supplements. This is an oil and a fat-soluble vitamin: their absorption depends directly on fat being present in the stomach at the same time. Two capsules swallowed on an empty stomach with a glass of water means part of the product goes to waste.

The remedy for fishy repeats, which is the leading reason people give up on this type of product, comes down to two tricks. Take the capsules in the middle of the meal rather than at the start, and keep the bottle somewhere cool: oil that has been warmed goes rancid, and a rancid capsule announces itself the moment you wake up.

On the time of day, the manufacturer does not take a view, and rightly so: omega 3 has no acute effect, only regularity counts. Take it at whichever meal you will reliably remember, which is usually dinner.

One combination precaution to finish: the manufacturer asks you to avoid taking it alongside an anticoagulant without medical advice. That question is one for your doctor, never for a product page.

Who is this omega 3 right for, and who is it not right for?

It is aimed at people who eat little oily fish — sardine, mackerel, salmon, herring — which is to say most people. Two capsules a day at dinner, one bottle every six weeks: it is an undemanding supplement, and its simplicity is its main selling point.

The product contains FISH. Traces of GLUTEN, EGG, MILK and SOYA are possible. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and rules it out for under-18s. It asks you to consult a healthcare professional in case of a clotting disorder, anticoagulant treatment or cardiovascular disease. Store in a dry place, away from light and moisture.

It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, since the capsule is gelatine and the contents are of marine origin. Nor is it suitable if you want to compare EPA and DHA doses precisely: with no published contents, the comparison cannot honestly be made, and that is this product's real limitation.

What not to expect from it. It is neither a cardiovascular treatment nor a performance product. No claim can be made here beyond the vitamin E one, and an omega 3 supplement does not replace two portions of fish a week — it fills a gap, and does nothing more than that.

Marine omega 3 or plant-based omega 3?

This is the only real choice in the category, and it turns not on a matter of principle but on a difference between molecules.

A fish oil supplies EPA and DHA directly, the two fatty acids the European claims relate to. A flaxseed-based plant omega 3, such as the one in the TrainedByJP range, supplies alpha-linolenic acid, which the body has to convert into EPA and then DHA — a conversion known to be limited. The authorised wording is not the same either: ALA “contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels”, which is a different matter.

Plant omega 3 is the better choice, and the only possible one, if you are vegan, allergic to fish, or if the marine aftertaste has made you give up in the past. That is reason enough: a product taken every day beats a better-designed product that stays in the cupboard.

Fish oil keeps the advantage on direct EPA and DHA intake. That said, on this particular product those contents are not published: if your aim is to reach the 250 mg a day that unlocks the claims, choose a product in the category that states its figures. To round things off in winter, our vitamin D section answers a neighbouring and far better documented need; and if it is the antioxidant side that interests you, the vitamin E and CoQ-10 sections offer dedicated formulas.

Frequently asked questions

How much EPA and DHA are in one serving?

The manufacturer does not publish these contents in the labelling data available to us. We will not invent them: they are, however, the only figures that allow two omega 3 products to be compared, since the weight of fish oil carries no informative value on its own. Check the statement on the bottle you receive.

Why does it have to be taken with a meal?

Because this is an oil and a fat-soluble vitamin. Their absorption depends on fat being present in the digestive tract at the same time. Two capsules on an empty stomach with a glass of water means part of the product is lost — and it is a very common mistake.

How do you avoid fishy repeats?

Two habits are enough in most cases: swallow the capsules in the middle of the meal rather than at the start, and keep the bottle somewhere cool. Oil that has been warmed goes rancid, and a rancid capsule announces itself immediately. If the problem persists, a plant-based omega 3 will settle the matter.

How long does a bottle last?

Forty-five days, at two capsules a day, that is 45 servings. The manufacturer sets no fixed course length and recommends ongoing use: with this type of nutrient, it is regularity over several months that counts, not an intensive three-week stint.

Are the capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No, on two counts. The shell is gelatine of animal origin, and the contents are a fish oil. A vegetarian or vegan should turn to a plant-based omega 3, bearing in mind that it supplies ALA rather than EPA and DHA.

Can it be taken alongside anticoagulant treatment?

Not without medical advice: that is the precaution explicitly stated by the manufacturer, which also covers clotting disorders and cardiovascular disease. This question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist, the only people who know your medication.

What is the vitamin E doing in the formula?

It plays two roles. Inside the capsule, it is a fat-soluble antioxidant that slows the oxidation of the oil. In the body, at 12 mg per serving, that is 100% of the NRV, it allows the only regulatory wording usable on this product to be applied: vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Where can you buy IO Genix Omega 3?

The bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is a supplement that works over the long run: better to order one in advance than to break off for three weeks.

At the Vendargues store, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a category where we systematically turn the bottle over before selling it, so we can read the EPA-DHA line together. It is the only figure that matters, and many customers discover on that occasion that until then they had been comparing weights of oil. The rest of the category can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Rabeko Zero Jam?

Rabeko Zero Jam is a reduced-calorie jam for spreading, whose distinctive feature lies in what replaces the sugar. In a classic jam, sugar makes up half the jar and serves as much to sweeten as to give texture. Here that role is played by polydextrose, a dietary fibre making up 50% of the recipe, backed by pectin as a gelling agent and sucralose for the sweet taste.

The ingredients list is short and identical from one flavour to the next: dietary fibres (polydextrose 50%), the fruit, lemon juice, pectin, sucralose and potassium sorbate as a preservative. The fruit really is there — this is not a flavoured gel — and it is what provides the product's only sugars.

The flavours listed: Strawberry, Raspberry, Apricot, Cherry, Exotic, Forest Fruits, Blueberry and Cranberry. The Dutch brand's full range can be found in the Rabeko section, alongside the zero sauces.

What does a 20 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 "saturates" and "protein" lines are expressed as thresholds rather than exact values.

The figure that changes everything is 55 kcal per 100 g. A traditional jam provides around 250, with 50 to 60 g of sugars. Translated onto a slice of toast: you go from a tablespoon at 50 kcal and 11 g of sugars to a tablespoon at 11 kcal and 1 g of sugars. That is what makes a sweet breakfast compatible with a period of restriction, and it is the only argument this product needs.

Two nutrition claims are perfectly well founded here, and we can use them. "High fibre" first: the regulatory threshold is 6 g per 100 g, and the product shows 34. "Low sugars" next: the threshold is 5 g per 100 g, and the product sits exactly there. Let us add that the statement "with no added sugars" must always be accompanied by the wording "contains naturally occurring sugars" — the 5 g come from the fruit, not from an addition.

Those 34 g of fibre deserve a close look, because they have a flip side. A 20 g serving provides 6.8 g of fibre, which on its own is an appreciable share of the recommended daily intake. That is excellent if you are short of it. It is a lot in one go if you are not used to it, and we come back to this below.

How do you use Zero Jam?

Dose: 20 g, or one tablespoon. Liquid: none. Timing: breakfast, snack or dessert. Frequency: 1 to 2 servings a day to stay sensible on the fibre side. Duration: none, it is a food.

Two steps clearly improve the result, and they are little known. Stir the jar before use: the texture of a jam made with pectin and polydextrose is not uniform when left standing. And take it out of the fridge five to ten minutes before spreading it — cold, it is firm and tears the bread.

Beyond toast, it is used anywhere you would put a classic jam: in fromage blanc or plain yoghurt, on pancakes, as a topping for a cheesecake, or folded into home baking. It also sweetens tea or a herbal infusion. One pairing that works particularly well: a spoonful in fromage blanc with a scoop of protein, for a complete dessert at very few calories.

Once opened, keep the jar in the fridge and use it within three weeks. That is shorter than a traditional jam, and it makes sense: sugar is a preservative, and there is practically none here. Close it carefully after each use.

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

It suits anyone who wants to keep a sweet breakfast during a calorie deficit, anyone watching their sugar intake, and anyone looking to increase their fibre without thinking about it. The manufacturer declares it gluten free and compatible with vegetarian and vegan diets.

It is not for you if you tolerate large quantities of fibre poorly. That is the product's real limit, and the manufacturer mentions it: a laxative effect is possible in the event of excessive consumption, because of the polydextrose. With 6.8 g of fibre per spoonful, three slices of toast at breakfast can be enough to cause bloating or intestinal discomfort. If irritable bowel syndrome affects you, start with half a serving and see how it goes.

The manufacturer flags possible traces of NUTS, PEANUTS, MILK, SOYA, EGGS and GLUTEN depending on the factory of manufacture, and does not recommend the product for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It advises checking your tolerance the first time you take it — sound advice here.

What not to expect from it. This is not a slimming product: it is a jam that costs less in calories, which is very different. It is only worthwhile if it replaces classic jam, not if it is added to it. Nor is it a medical food, and we will make no claim relating to blood glucose or diabetes: that kind of statement is not permitted on a food product, and any question of the sort is one for your doctor.

Zero jam or peanut butter?

This is the comparison that really arises in front of the breakfast shelf, because these are the two spreads found in most athletes' cupboards. And they play entirely different roles.

Peanut butter provides fats, protein and plenty of calories: reckon on around 600 kcal per 100 g, roughly ten times more than here. It is the better choice when bulking, when you need to push the calorie total up without eating more in volume, or when you want to make a breakfast more filling and more complete in protein terms.

Zero jam is the better choice in the opposite situation, and there it is unbeatable: you want something sweet on your toast without it weighing anything at all on your day. At 11 kcal a spoonful, that is a line you can ignore in your calculations. It also wins on fibre, which peanut butter provides only in small amounts. Nothing stops you doing both on the same slice, incidentally — it is even a classic pairing, and zero jam is a useful stand-in for honey there. The rest of our sweet options can be found in the protein snacks section.

Frequently asked questions

55 kcal per 100 g, how is that possible?

Because the sugar, which makes up half of a classic jam, is here replaced by polydextrose — a dietary fibre with very few calories — and by sucralose, a sweetener used at doses of the order of a milligram. The remaining 5 g of carbohydrate come from the fruit alone. It is a substitution of ingredients, not a labelling sleight of hand.

Does it really contain fruit?

Yes. The fruit appears second in the ingredients list, just after the fibres, and it is what provides the 5 g of sugars per 100 g. Depending on the flavour, that means strawberries, apricots, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries or a mix of berries or exotic fruits.

Can polydextrose cause digestive trouble?

Yes, in significant quantities. The manufacturer carries a statement about a possible laxative effect in the event of excessive consumption. A 20 g serving provides 6.8 g of fibre: that is comfortable, three servings in the same morning much less so. Start with one spoonful and increase if you digest it well.

Can it be cooked or heated?

Yes, it can be folded into home baking or used as a topping. Just be aware that pectin and polydextrose do not behave like sugar when cooked: the texture does not caramelise and the result stays soft. For a tart, add it after baking rather than before.

How long does an opened jar keep?

Three weeks in the fridge, against several months for a classic jam. The difference comes down to sugar: it is sugar that preserves a traditional jam, and there is practically none here. Close the jar properly and do not dip a knife into it that has been used elsewhere.

Is it suitable for people with coeliac disease?

The manufacturer declares the product gluten free, but flags possible traces of gluten depending on the factory of manufacture. If you have confirmed coeliac disease, read the label on the jar you receive and, at the slightest doubt, abstain.

Which flavour should you choose first?

Strawberry and Raspberry are the closest to a classic jam and the most widely liked. Forest Fruits and Blueberry have a sharper profile that works very well in fromage blanc. Cranberry and Exotic are the most distinctive — save those for when you like going off the beaten track.

Where can you buy Rabeko Zero Jam?

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

With this product, the conversation over the counter at our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, rarely turns on the calories: they speak for themselves. It is more about the texture, which is not that of a sugar-based jam, and about how many jars to take — two different flavours are better than the same one twice when you have never tasted it. The rest of our reduced-calorie products can be found in our weight loss section.

What is IO Genix Protein Mass?

It is a mass-gain powder to be mixed with liquid, with a reference serving of 50 g for 195 kcal, combining protein, carbohydrate, creatine and glutamine. The flavours listed: Intense Chocolate, Original Black Cookies, Vanilla-Hazelnut, Crema Rica Cookies and Petit Yogurt.

Let us set the right expectations straight away, because the name can be misleading. With 16 g of protein and 28 g of carbohydrate for 195 kcal, this product belongs to the lean gainer family, not to the heavyweight gainers. A true hard gainer delivers 400 to 600 kcal per serving. That is not a flaw: it is a different category, and it is better to know before you buy.

The first ingredient on the list is oat flour, not maltodextrin or sugar — which explains the mere 2 g of sugars for 28 g of carbohydrate. Then come maltodextrin, a LACTOMIN® whey protein concentrate, L-glycine, Kyowa L-glutamine, creatine monohydrate, flavourings, sucralose, a colour (azorubine), the DigeZyme® enzyme complex and vitamin B6. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix aisle.

What does a 50 g serving contain?

* Column calculated from the values declared for 50 g. Not included in the data supplied: the energy value in kilojoules, the "of which saturates" line, the "fibre" line, the vitamin B6 content and the net weight of the pack — so we cannot calculate the number of servings per tub. Divide the weight printed on the packaging by 50 g.

The most interesting figure in this table is not the protein, it is the creatine: 3,000 mg per serving. That is exactly the daily maintenance dose, the one on which the only authorised claim on this entire product rests: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise, a claim valid from 3 g per day. One serving puts you right on it. If you take two, you are at 6 g, which brings nothing further.

The second figure is the sugars: 2 g for 28 g of carbohydrate. That is what genuinely sets this powder apart from a cheap gainer loaded with dextrose. The oat flour at the top of the list is not a marketing line: you can see it on the "of which sugars" row, and it is verifiable.

A third reading, less flattering: 16 g of protein per serving is not a lot. An ordinary whey shake delivers 22 to 25 for 120 kcal. Here, the protein comes with 28 g of carbohydrate. That is the very principle of a gainer, but it does mean you should stop comparing this product to a protein: it is not the same use.

On the glutamine and the DigeZyme® complex we shall be brief: no health claim is authorised in Europe for either glutamine or an enzyme complex. We mention them because they appear on the label, without attributing any effect to them.

How do you take Protein Mass?

Serving: 50 g, that is two scoops. Liquid: 300 to 400 ml of water or skimmed milk. Timing: between meals, or after training. Frequency: up to two servings a day depending on your bodyweight and your needs. Duration: ongoing, as no course duration is set.

The manufacturer's advice, which we are happy to repeat: start with a half serving for the first week. Twenty-eight grams of carbohydrate, creatine and glutamine all at once, in a stomach that is not used to it, makes itself felt. Building up gradually avoids the discomfort that makes people give up after three days.

Shake vigorously for thirty seconds, pouring the liquid in before the powder. With oat flour in the formula, the texture is thicker than a whey shake: that is normal, and 400 ml rather than 300 makes it considerably easier to drink if you have to get it down between two meals.

Creatine brings one further instruction, and it is not decorative: increase your water intake throughout the period of use. That applies to any product containing creatine monohydrate.

A final word on timing. The manufacturer suggests four slots; in practice, a gainer is there to add calories where you cannot manage to eat them. Take it at the point in the day when you usually skip a snack, not on top of a meal you are already eating.

Who is Protein Mass right for, and who is it not right for?

It is aimed at those who cannot get their calories up at the table: limited appetite, short days, a metabolism that burns through everything. Drinking 195 kcal is far easier than getting the equivalent down in rice and chicken. It also suits those already taking creatine who appreciate not having one more product to juggle.

The product contains GLUTEN (oat flour) and MILK. Note a discrepancy in the labelling supplied: the ingredient list mentions SOYA among the possible traces, while the warning places it among the allergens present. If you are allergic to soya, work on the more cautious assumption and check the packaging. Traces of WHEAT, EGG and FISH are also possible. The manufacturer advises against it for children, adolescents and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It contains azorubine (E122), an azo colour that requires the following regulatory wording: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. We reproduce it because it is mandatory, and because it appears nowhere else on this page.

It is not suitable if you are coeliac: oat flour is the first ingredient, and here gluten is a component, not a trace. Nor is it suitable when cutting, or if your aim is simply to raise your protein intake — in that case, a whey shake does better for fewer calories.

What you should not expect from it: mass gain without eating. 195 kcal is a snack, not a meal, and two servings a day represent 390 added calories. If your diet does not follow, this product will do nothing at all. The phrase "rapid muscle development" should not lead you to hope for anything other than a well-composed calorie supplement.

Protein Mass or a hard gainer?

That is the choice that really matters, and it comes down to a single line: calories per serving.

A hard gainer delivers 400 to 600 kcal per serving, with a carbohydrate-to-protein ratio often of 3:1 or 4:1 and a lot of maltodextrin. It is the better choice if you genuinely struggle to put on weight and need to add 800 to 1,000 kcal a day. Its drawback is well known: the volume is enormous, the taste quickly becomes sickly, and part of the calories come from simple sugars.

Protein Mass is the better choice for measured mass gain, where you want to add 200 to 400 clean calories without sending your sugars through the roof. The protein-to-carbohydrate ratio here is 1:1.75, which is far more balanced than a conventional gainer, and the 3 g of built-in creatine saves you a further product. It is also a shake you can drink every day without coming to hate it after a week.

A third route exists, and it is often the most economical: buy a protein, an oat flour and creatine separately, and put it together yourself. You control every dose and the cost per gram falls. What you lose is the convenience of a single powder — it is up to you to decide what matters most.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a gainer or a protein?

Not quite one and not quite the other: it is a lean gainer. With 16 g of protein and 28 g of carbohydrate for 195 kcal, it delivers less protein than a whey and far fewer calories than a hard gainer. Its place is that of a solid, well-composed snack, not a protein shake nor a massive calorie top-up.

Should you take creatine alongside it?

No, if you take one serving a day: the 3 g it contains correspond exactly to the daily maintenance dose, and that is the threshold on which the authorised claim rests. Adding more on top will do nothing further. On the days you do not take a shake, however, your creatine intake drops to zero.

Does the product contain gluten?

Yes, and not merely as traces. Oat flour is the first ingredient on the list, and traces of wheat are flagged as well. In cases of coeliac disease this product is not indicated — that is a point better read here than after the purchase.

How many servings per tub?

The net weight of the pack does not appear in the labelling data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot calculate it. Divide the weight printed on the packaging by 50 g, which is the reference serving for every value on this page.

Water or milk?

The manufacturer allows both, with skimmed milk. With water, you stay at 195 kcal, which is the honest calculation. With milk, allow 100 to 130 kcal more depending on the volume: that is useful if your aim really is to raise your calories, and it needs to go into your total if you are counting them.

Why start with a half serving?

Because 28 g of carbohydrate, 3 g of creatine and 6 g of glutamine all at once often cause bloating in the first few days. A week at 25 g is enough to let the body get used to it. It is common-sense advice, given by the manufacturer itself, and rarely followed.

Which flavour should you choose?

Intense Chocolate and Original Black Cookies are the boldest, Crema Rica Cookies and Vanilla-Hazelnut are milder, Petit Yogurt is noticeably lighter and tangier — it is the one that goes down best if you have to drink two servings a day, boredom being the number one reason a gainer gets abandoned. All of them contain sucralose and a colour.

Where to buy IO Genix Protein Mass?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. If this is your first gainer, pick a flavour you know you can drink every day: that is the most decisive criterion.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we always start with the same question in front of this aisle: how many calories are you eating at the moment? Nine times out of ten, the answer shows that a meal is missing, not a supplement — and a lean gainer like this one solves exactly that problem, no more and no less. The rest of the aisle can be compared in our sports nutrition range.

What is the PhD Nutrition Smart Bar?

PhD Smart Bar is a three-layer protein bar: a soft protein core, a caramel layer and crunchy soya crispies, the whole thing coated in chocolate. A 64 g bar provides 20 g of protein, 9 g of fibre and 245 kcal, for 12 g of carbohydrate and 12 g of fat.

PhD Nutrition is a British brand. The Smart Bar is its best-selling line, and its reputation rests not on its label but on its texture: it is one of the few bars in this aisle that you genuinely chew, instead of it sticking to your teeth or crumbling apart.

The flavours in the range: Chocolate Brownie, Cookies n Cream, Salted Fudge Brownie, Caramel Crunch, Birthday Cake, White Blondie, Milk Choc Hazelnut, Chocolat Peanut Butter and Chocolat Noir-Framboise. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our PhD Nutrition aisle, and the other lines in our protein bars selection.

What does a Smart Bar contain?

20 g of protein for 245 kcal: that is one of the best ratios in the aisle, and it is this bar's whole reason for being. A third of the calories comes from protein. Compare it with an ordinary chocolate bar of the same weight — around 300 kcal and 4 g of protein — and you understand how the product is positioned.

The 9 g of fibre explain the dense texture, and they have a practical consequence. This is a bar you chew and that fills you up, not a confectionery item you swallow in three bites. The downside is flagged by the manufacturer itself: excessive consumption may have laxative effects, because of the fibre and above all the maltitol. The limit is set at two bars a day, and it is a sensible limit.

One point deserves a frank discussion: the protein blend combines milk protein, collagen hydrolysate and soya isolate. Milk protein and soya isolate are complete proteins. Collagen is not: it contains no tryptophan and it is low in several essential amino acids. It is used here for texture as much as to push up the “protein” line on the label. This is not a deception — the declared quantity is accurate — but 20 g of protein part of which is collagen is not worth 20 g of whey, and it is honest to say so.

From a regulatory standpoint, two authorised claims genuinely apply: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass, and the “source of fibre” statement is justified by the 14 g per 100 g. On the other hand, no joint claim is authorised for collagen, and no promise of satiety or weight control is permitted on this type of product. The manufacturer does not disclose the “of which sugars” line in the data available to us: refer to the packaging if that point matters to you.

Ingredients list

Protein blend (MILK protein, collagen hydrolysate, SOYA protein isolate), caramel layer [sweetener: maltitol, condensed MILK, cocoa butter, water, humectant: sorbitol, emulsifier: mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, natural flavourings, salt], sweeteners (maltitol, sucralose), cocoa butter, cocoa SOYA crispies (7.8%) [soya protein, tapioca starch, cocoa powder], whole MILK powder, humectant (glycerol), coconut oil, natural flavourings, emulsifier (lecithins), bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose), natural Bourbon vanilla flavouring. Coating: 31% dark or milk chocolate depending on the flavour.

Allergens: MILK and SOYA. May contain traces of GLUTEN, NUTS and EGGS. No palm oil, no preservative, no gelatine, natural colours only. Contains sweeteners: excessive consumption may have laxative effects.

How should the Smart Bar be eaten?

Portion: 1 bar, or half a bar if you are new to polyols. Drink: a glass of water, the fibre needs it. Timing: as a snack between meals, after training, or in place of a confectionery item. Frequency: two bars a day at most. Duration: no notion of a course, this is a food.

If you have never eaten a maltitol-based bar, start with half. That is not excessive caution: tolerance to polyols varies enormously from one person to another, and a whole bar can be enough to cause bloating and discomfort in someone sensitive. Half a bar already represents 10 g of protein.

Chew it, do not swallow it. It is a dense bar, designed to last: that is precisely what makes it useful as a mid-afternoon snack, when the aim is to hold out until the next meal rather than to fill a gap in thirty seconds.

Take it out of the fridge a quarter of an hour beforehand. Cold, the caramel layer turns hard and the chocolate snaps. At room temperature, the three-layer texture makes full sense. Conversely, in summer, do not leave it in a car: the coating melts and the bar loses its shape.

A bar tops up what you take in over the day, it does not replace a meal. If your aim is to cover a substantial protein intake, a serving of protein powder remains more effective and less expensive; the bar, for its part, wins on fitting into a bag.

Who is the Smart Bar for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone looking for a portable, indulgent snack with a real protein content and a controlled calorie profile. It is the typical gym-bag or desk-drawer product, and it is also an honest alternative to something from a vending machine.

It is not suitable for people allergic to milk or soya, both present in quantity in the recipe. Traces of gluten, nuts and eggs are possible. Nor is it suitable for vegan diets, because of the milk protein and the collagen hydrolysate, the latter being of animal origin.

It is to be avoided if you digest polyols poorly. Maltitol and sorbitol both appear in the list. If sugar-free chewing gum or “light” products usually upset you, this bar will upset you too. People with diabetes should also keep an eye on their blood sugar despite the low sugar content: polyols are not neutral.

What you should not expect from it. It does not make you lose weight, it does not replace a meal and it does not build muscle on its own. And the collagen it contains has no authorised joint effect: it is an ingredient for texture and protein content, nothing more. What you are buying is a practical snack with 20 g of protein — which is already a good reason.

Protein bar or protein cookie?

The two go in the same place in a bag, but they do not play the same role and the choice comes down to calories.

The bar is the format with the most protein per calorie: 20 g for 245 kcal here. That is what makes it suited to a period when you are watching your intake, or to a post-training snack when the next meal is still a long way off. It slips in anywhere and keeps for weeks.

A protein cookie plays on enjoyment and on satiety, in a far bigger format. Expect often twice the calories for an equivalent, or even lower, protein content. Our protein cookies aisle answers that particular need: the need for a real bit of baking, not a supplement.

And if what you are after above all is energy for a long effort rather than protein, neither really fits: an oat-based bar will provide more carbohydrate. Our protein snack aisle brings all these formats together for comparison, and the collagen aisle offers the dedicated products for those who really are looking for that protein.

Frequently asked questions

How much protein per bar?

20 g for a 64 g bar, i.e. 31.3 g per 100 g, and 245 kcal. The blend combines milk protein, collagen hydrolysate and soya isolate. Since collagen is not a complete protein, those 20 g are not strictly equivalent to 20 g of whey.

Which flavours are available?

In the range: Chocolate Brownie, Cookies n Cream, Salted Fudge Brownie, Caramel Crunch, Birthday Cake, White Blondie, Milk Choc Hazelnut, Chocolat Peanut Butter and Chocolat Noir-Framboise. The base is identical, the coating being dark or milk chocolate depending on the flavour.

Why can this bar cause bloating?

Because of the maltitol and the sorbitol, two polyols present in the caramel layer, and the 9 g of fibre. The manufacturer itself flags a possible laxative effect in the event of excessive consumption. If you are sensitive, start with half a bar and do not go beyond two a day.

Is the bar suitable for vegetarians?

No, because of the collagen hydrolysate, which is of animal origin. It also contains milk protein and whole milk powder, which likewise rules it out of vegan diets. The manufacturer does state, however, that it contains no gelatine.

What is the sugar content?

The manufacturer does not disclose the “of which sugars” line in the data available to us. We are not going to invent it: refer to the nutrition table printed on the packaging. What we do know is that the sweetness comes mainly from the maltitol and the sucralose.

Can you eat two in one day?

That is the limit set by the manufacturer, and it is a sensible one. Two bars represent 490 kcal and 40 g of protein, but also an amount of polyols that many people do not tolerate. Beyond that, digestive discomfort is predictable.

Does it contain palm oil?

No. The fats in the recipe are cocoa butter and coconut oil. The manufacturer also states the absence of preservative and gelatine, and the exclusive use of natural colours.

Where can you buy the PhD Nutrition Smart Bar?

The bar can be ordered individually from this page, in the available flavours, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the bar we recommend first to anyone who has never eaten one: the texture is as close as this aisle gets to real confectionery. We simply give a warning about the maltitol, the first time. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition aisle.

What is ZMA Plus by IO Genix?

IO Genix ZMA Plus is an evening capsule that pairs the classic ZMA base with two sleep-related ingredients. One capsule provides 15 mg of zinc, 200 mg of magnesium, 2 mg of vitamin B6, 500 mg of L-tryptophan and 1.9 mg of melatonin. The bottle holds 60 capsules, which is two months at one a day.

The initials ZMA originally stand for a simple combination: zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6. It has been sold in bodybuilding circles for decades, with standardised doses and clear European claims. The "Plus" version adds melatonin and tryptophan, which shifts the product from recovery towards sleep.

The real active ingredient in this formula is melatonin. The 1.9 mg per capsule are not there for show: it is the only ingredient in the bottle whose effect on falling asleep is recognised at European level, and it is also what dictates the precautions set out on this page. The rest of the Spanish brand's range can be browsed in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our ZMA section.

What is in one ZMA Plus capsule?

The 1.9 mg of melatonin are worth pausing on, because that figure is not chosen at random. In France, a melatonin-based food supplement remains within the food category as long as it does not exceed 2 mg per daily intake; beyond that, it becomes a medicine. This dose therefore sits just under the limit, and it comfortably exceeds the 1 mg threshold that unlocks the authorised claim: melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep. A second claim exists and is also met: melatonin contributes to the alleviation of subjective feelings of jet lag.

The three minerals and vitamins in the ZMA base each carry authorised claims, and we stick to the official wordings. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood, to normal protein synthesis and to the normal function of the immune system. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the normal functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity and to normal protein metabolism.

One honest reservation about the magnesium, because it is worth knowing before you buy: the form used here is the oxide. It is the least well absorbed of the magnesiums on the market, the one that offers the most magnesium per gram but the least magnesium actually taken up. It is also the most likely to have a laxative effect. If magnesium is your main goal, this is not the right product: take a look instead at our magnesium section, where the bisglycinate and citrate forms are better tolerated.

L-tryptophan, at 500 mg, is an essential amino acid that acts as a precursor to serotonin and then to melatonin. No claim is authorised in Europe for tryptophan, and that should be said rather than left to be assumed: its presence in the formula follows a logic of composition, not a demonstrated effect at this dose.

Ingredients list

L-tryptophan, magnesium oxide, bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose), zinc picolinate, anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate), melatonin, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride). Capsule shell: GELATINE and colouring. No added sugar, no sweetener, no preservative, no lactose.

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

How should ZMA Plus be taken?

Dose: 1 capsule. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime, on an empty stomach or at least two hours after the last meal. Frequency: one intake a day, in the evening only. Duration: a 6 to 8 week course, then one to two weeks off.

The instruction to take it away from meals is not a nicety. Tryptophan is an amino acid, and it uses the same transporter as several other amino acids to cross the barrier between the blood and the brain. Taken in the middle of a protein-rich meal, it ends up competing with them and no longer gets through. Two hours after dinner, the way is clear.

The 30 to 60 minute window before bed corresponds to the time melatonin needs to be absorbed and take effect. Taking it as you get into bed delays the effect by just as much. Conversely, taking it far too early can send you to sleep in front of the television.

Do not drive or operate machinery after taking this capsule. The manufacturer says so, and rightly: melatonin causes drowsiness, which is precisely what it is there for. Residual drowsiness on waking is possible in some people; if it happens, bring the time of intake forward rather than reducing the dose, as the capsule cannot be split.

The one to two week break after six to eight weeks of use is good practice, and above all it has the merit of forcing you to check whether the product is still of any use to you. Avoid caffeine in the six hours beforehand: it is probably the most effective lever on this whole page, and it is free. A dark, cool bedroom does the rest. For a different approach to the same subject, our GABA section is built on another molecule.

Who is ZMA Plus for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at an adult who takes a long time to fall asleep, who is dealing with jet lag, or whose training schedule disrupts their sleep pattern.

It is strictly contraindicated for anyone on antidepressant treatment, because of the known interaction between L-tryptophan and those medicines. The manufacturer prints this in capitals on the packaging, and it is the most important warning attached to this product. It is also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor for children and adolescents.

The French national agency for food safety also recommends caution with melatonin for people with inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, epilepsy or asthma, as well as for those on any drug treatment. In all these cases, the question should be put to a doctor before buying. Never combine this capsule with another source of melatonin or tryptophan: the doses add up.

The capsule shell is made of gelatine: the product is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans.

What you should not expect from it. Melatonin reduces the time taken to fall asleep — it does not extend the night and it does not prevent waking during it. It does not treat chronic insomnia: if you have not been sleeping for months, it is a doctor you need to see, not a supplement. And ZMA does not build muscle: zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels, which means avoiding a drop caused by a deficiency, not raising a level that is already normal.

ZMA Plus or melatonin on its own?

A common question in the shop, and the answer depends on exactly what you are looking for.

Melatonin on its own does one thing and does it well: it reduces the time taken to fall asleep, from 1 mg upwards. It comes in various doses, as sublingual tablets or as drops, often for a modest budget, and it brings nothing else. If your only problem is taking too long to drop off, that is the most direct choice and our melatonin section answers it.

ZMA Plus makes sense when you wanted a ZMA anyway. An athlete already taking zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 in the evening gains by bringing it all together in one capsule rather than swallowing three. In that case the melatonin comes on top of a routine that is already in place, and the product is fully justified.

When is neither the answer? If magnesium is your priority. The oxide used here is poorly absorbed, and 200 mg cover only 53 % of the reference value. A dedicated magnesium, in a better form, will give you more. Likewise, if it is zinc alone that interests you, a dedicated product costs less and can be taken at any hour, without causing drowsiness.

Frequently asked questions

How much melatonin per capsule?

1.9 mg, just under the 2 mg threshold above which melatonin is no longer classed as a food supplement in France. That is almost double the 1 mg threshold that gives entitlement to the claim about reducing the time taken to fall asleep, and it is a straightforward dose for this type of product.

Why take it away from meals?

Because of the tryptophan. This amino acid uses the same transporter as other amino acids to reach the brain; taken during a protein meal, it ends up competing with them. The manufacturer therefore asks for it to be taken on an empty stomach or at least two hours after dinner.

Can it be taken with an antidepressant?

No. This is a strict contraindication printed on the packaging, linked to the interaction between L-tryptophan and those treatments. If you are on antidepressant treatment, do not take this product and talk to your doctor about your sleep.

Does it cause drowsiness the next morning?

It is possible in some people, and the manufacturer flags it. If it happens to you, bring the time of intake forward rather than trying to cut the capsule, which cannot be split. Do not drive or operate machinery after the evening dose.

Is magnesium in oxide form a good choice?

It is the least well absorbed form on the market and the most likely to have a laxative effect. It is acceptable here because magnesium is not the formula's main active. If your goal is a magnesium intake, choose a dedicated product in bisglycinate or citrate form.

Does this product increase testosterone?

No. The authorised claim for zinc is that it contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood. Maintaining is not increasing: zinc prevents a drop caused by an insufficient intake, it does not raise a level that is already normal in someone who is not short of it.

Can it be taken every night without a break?

The manufacturer provides for 6 to 8 week courses followed by one to two weeks off. Beyond that, and especially if the difficulty falling asleep persists after several courses, the right move is not to carry on indefinitely but to speak to a doctor about it.

Where can you buy ZMA Plus by IO Genix?

The 60-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the first question we ask about this product concerns current medication: the contraindication with antidepressants is real and many customers are unaware of it. The second concerns the afternoon coffee, which accounts for a good deal of insomnia. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition selection, and B vitamin intakes in our vitamin B section.

What is IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate?

IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate is a micronised creatine monohydrate powder, available unflavoured and in a Peach version. It is the simplest form there is: a single molecule, with no transport matrix, no added amino acid and no bulking agent. The rest of the range is in our IO Genix section.

"Micronised" means a powder ground more finely than a standard monohydrate. It changes neither the molecule nor what it does in the muscle: what it changes is how the powder behaves in a glass, dissolving faster and leaving less sediment. On a product you swallow every day, that detail matters: sediment at the bottom of the glass is creatine you have not drunk.

The tub comes with a scoop calibrated to 3 g and the manufacturer states 100 servings; the net weight does not appear in our labelling data. For the underlying detail — mechanism, dose according to body weight, real-world effect — see our creatine monohydrate page.

What does a 3 g serving contain?

The label is worded for a 3 g serving, that is one level scoop. It provides 3 000 mg of creatine monohydrate and 12 kcal, for 0 g of carbohydrate, 0 g of fat and less than 1 mg of sodium. There is nothing else in the tub.

A point of vocabulary that is worth real money: monohydrate is a hydrated salt. Out of 3 000 mg of powder, roughly 2 640 mg are creatine proper, the remainder being water of crystallisation. That is the figure printed on the label of our Crealuxe for the same serving, and it holds true for any monohydrate.

Three grams a day is the amount on which the claim authorised in the European Union rests: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high-intensity exercise. Nothing beyond that is permitted, and we will write nothing beyond that. At one serving a day, the tub covers 100 days; above 80 kg, allow one and a half servings, which is roughly 65 days.

How do you take IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate?

The manufacturer specifies 3 g, that is one scoop, in 200 ml of water or a carbohydrate drink, once a day. It gives no course duration: continuous use is the most sensible approach, since the body does not develop tolerance.

Timing is of virtually no importance: creatine works through gradual saturation of the muscle, not through a blood peak. What counts is consistency, rest days included — taking it three times a week never fully saturates the muscle.

On the loading phase, our position does not change: 20 g a day for five to seven days only brings saturation forward by two to three weeks, without changing the final level or the medium-term result in any way. It is the period when digestive discomfort is most likely to appear, and it gets through four times as much product. Starting straight at 3 g is simpler and cheaper.

Two practical tips: warm water rather than ice-cold, and a good vigorous shake in a shaker. Taking it with a meal or with a little maltodextrin often improves digestive tolerance.

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

It is aimed at adults doing resistance training or a sport involving short, repeated efforts. As the molecule is obtained by chemical synthesis, it comes from no animal material.

The label is clear about the exclusions. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as for anyone under 18, and flags possible traces of gluten (wheat and oats), eggs, milk, fish and soya: that statement rules the product out in cases of coeliac disease or severe allergy. ANSES also advises against supplements intended for athletes for anyone with impaired kidney or liver function, and supplementation raises serum creatinine: mention it to your doctor before a blood test.

What you should not expect from it: any sensation at all. It is not a stimulant, nothing happens when you take it or during the first week, it is not a long-endurance product, and it does not replace an intake of whey isolate. Any medical question is a matter for your doctor or your pharmacist.

IO Genix creatine monohydrate or a Creapure® creatine?

Both contain the same molecule, and at an equal dose nothing shows that a branded creatine produces more strength or more mass. The difference is industrial, not chemical: exactly what the label guarantees is set out on our Creapure page.

The useful question is this one: what do we know about the raw material? For this product, our labelling data include no stated purity figure, no published batch analysis and no documented synthesis origin — which is precisely the information a label buys you. If you are liable to be tested in competition, choose a product carrying the Creapure® designation.

If your budget has to choose between the label and taking it consistently, take this one: a standard creatine taken every day beats a branded creatine taken every other day. And if monohydrate leaves you bloated despite a well-diluted serving, the issue is not the label but tolerance: look at creatine HCL, which is more concentrated per gram of powder.

Frequently asked questions

Is the scoop 3 g or 5 g?

Three grams, levelled off: that is the value used for the labelling and for the count of 100 servings. If you are aiming for 5 g because you weigh more than 85 kg, you need one and a half servings, and the tub will last around 65 days rather than 100.

Does the Peach version contain sweeteners?

Necessarily so, since a flavoured powder is not creatine on its own. But our labelling data describe only the unflavoured version, which is limited to micronised creatine monohydrate. We will not publish a composition we have not read: ask us for it before ordering.

Do you need a loading phase with this creatine?

No. Loading at 20 g a day only brings saturation forward by about three weeks; the final level and the medium-term results are identical. It quadruples how much product you get through and concentrates the digestive downsides.

What does micronisation actually bring?

Faster dissolution and less sediment. It alters neither the molecule, nor the amount absorbed, nor the result in training: no data show that a finer powder makes a creatine more effective. Its benefit is day-to-day convenience.

Can you mix it with a whey or with cream of rice?

Yes. Many people add it to their post-workout shake or to a bowl of cream of rice. It is unaffected by cold or by mixing; what it does not tolerate is prolonged heat and moisture, so do not leave it dissolved for hours and close the tub properly.

How long before you notice anything?

Three to four weeks at 3 g a day, the time it takes to saturate muscle stores. And "feel" would be the wrong word: what you will notice, if you train regularly, is one or two extra reps on your heavy sets.

Is it suitable for a vegan diet?

The molecule is: chemical synthesis, no animal material, like our plant proteins. The reservation concerns the statement about traces of milk and fish, which relates to the production environment.

Where can you buy IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate?

You can order it from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this tub gets compared side by side with the branded products: the calculation that settles it is the shelf price divided by the number of actual servings, bearing in mind that not every brand sets its scoop at 3 g. The full range is in our sports nutrition section.

Sources: EFSA for the authorised claims, ANSES for the opinion on food supplements intended for athletes. This information is no substitute for medical advice.

What is IO Genix Collagen Professional?

IO Genix Collagen Professional is a hydrolysed collagen powder to be mixed with liquid, whose 12 g serving — two scoops — provides 7.5 g of collagen. The tub covers 33 servings, or a little over a month at one serving a day.

The formula is short, and that is its main strength: hydrolysed collagen, vitamin C, magnesium and hyaluronic acid, plus the usual auxiliaries — citric acid, flavourings, strawberry powder, silicon dioxide, sweeteners (sodium saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame K) and the colour azorubine.

The flavours available: Red Berries and Lemon. The product appears in our collagen range, and the rest of the brand in the IO Genix collection.

What does a 12 g serving contain?

Three lines are missing from the mandatory table — sugars, fibre and salt — and we will not reconstruct them. Everything else is quantified, which makes this product easy to compare, unlike many compound joint formulas.

Two figures to put in context. 7.5 g of collagen per serving: that is a generous dose, above the 5 g most commonly found, and one of the highest at this price point. And 10.5 g of protein for 45 kcal: remember that collagen is a protein, but an incomplete one — low in tryptophan in particular. It should therefore not be counted as a serving of whey in your daily protein intake.

On the claims, only two are open here, and they come from the micronutrients, not from the collagen. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones and skin — the 80 mg cover 100 % of the NRV. And magnesium contributes to normal muscle function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, the 56 mg reaching the required 15 % threshold. For hydrolysed collagen itself and for hyaluronic acid, no claim is authorised in Europe. That is a point few product pages own up to, and one we would rather set down in black and white.

How do you prepare Collagen Professional?

Serving: 12 g, that is 2 scoops. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of cold or lukewarm water, never hot. When: in the morning, on an empty stomach 30 minutes before breakfast, or with breakfast. How often: one serving a day. How long: the manufacturer recommends a course of at least 3 months, taken continuously.

The temperature of the liquid matters: cold or lukewarm, not hot. Boiling water improves nothing and serves no purpose here. Mix vigorously until fully dissolved — collagen peptides clump easily if poured in without stirring.

The manufacturer insists on consistency, and rightly so: three months of daily use is the stated horizon, and a tub of 33 servings covers only a third of it. Plan for three tubs if you want to judge it properly, rather than a single one from which you will draw no conclusion.

The product is compatible with a multivitamin, omega 3 or other joint supplements. Just watch out for duplicated vitamin C, already at 100 % of the NRV in a single serving.

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

It is aimed at those who want collagen and nothing else, at a straightforward dose, in a preparation that goes down easily in the morning. It is the simplest product in our collagen range, and simplicity is a real argument here: you know exactly what you are buying and at what price per gram.

The restrictions are clear. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Not to be used under 18 years of age. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. The product may contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, FISH, SOYA and MILK, and the manufacturer explicitly asks you to consult a healthcare professional in the event of a fish allergy or anticoagulant treatment — that precaution suggests a possible marine origin for the collagen, which the manufacturer nonetheless does not specify. We flag this point rather than interpret it.

Two further points. The formula contains the colour azorubine, for which European regulations require the following warning: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. And it contains sodium saccharin in addition to sucralose and acesulfame K, three sweeteners in all — worth noting if you are sensitive to them.

What you should not expect from it: an effect on joint pain. No claim authorises it, and pain that persists is a matter for a doctor. Nor should you expect anything before several weeks have passed. Finally, do not count the 10.5 g of protein towards your daily total: collagen is an incomplete protein, and it does not replace a standard protein.

Collagen Professional or a complete joint formula?

We sell both, and the decision comes down to what you are really after.

A complete joint formula, such as the Collagène Fortigel from the same brand, adds glucosamine, MSM, hyaluronic acid, devil's claw and boswellia to the collagen. If you were going to take several joint supplements anyway, it saves you buying five bottles. The downside is real: in this kind of formula, most of the secondary ingredients are not quantified on the label, and the collagen is often less concentrated — 5 g against 7.5 g here.

Collagen Professional wins on three concrete points. The dose: 7.5 g of collagen per serving, that is 50 % more than a typical compound formula. The transparency: four actives, all quantified, nothing to guess at. And the price per gram of collagen, mechanically more favourable. If your objective is collagen, that is the most rational calculation. If you are looking for broader joint comfort, take a look instead at the glucosamine range, where the actives are sold quantified and separately.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in a tub?

Thirty-three servings of 12 g, or a little over a month at one serving a day. For the three-month course recommended by the manufacturer, count on three tubs.

What is the origin of the collagen?

The manufacturer does not specify it in the data available to us — neither bovine, nor porcine, nor marine. The recommendation to seek advice in the event of a fish allergy suggests a possible marine origin, but we will not state it as fact. If this point is decisive for you, ask us to check the label on the tub before you order.

Can it be mixed into a hot drink?

No, the manufacturer recommends a cold or lukewarm liquid. Boiling water adds nothing and is not advised here. A shaker with 200 to 250 ml of cold water gives the best result, provided you shake vigorously.

Do the 10.5 g of protein count towards my intake?

Not as a complete protein. Collagen is low in certain essential amino acids, tryptophan in particular, which makes it unfit to cover a protein requirement. Think of it as a targeted intake, not as a whey substitute.

Is the vitamin C useful in this formula?

Yes, and it is the only element of the composition that opens an authorised claim: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones and skin. The 80 mg cover 100 % of the reference value.

Can it be taken alongside an anticoagulant?

Not without medical advice: the manufacturer explicitly asks you to consult a healthcare professional in the event of anticoagulant treatment. Put the question to your doctor or your pharmacist before opening the tub.

Should it be taken in the morning?

The manufacturer advises the morning, on an empty stomach thirty minutes before breakfast. In practice, consistency counts for more than the time of day: take it at the moment you will not forget it, for three months in a row.

Where can you buy IO Genix Collagen Professional?

The flavours, Red Berries and Lemon, can be ordered from this page. We ship anywhere in France and Europe.

It is the collagen we most readily recommend for a first purchase: its list runs to four lines, the dose is straightforward, and the price per gram can be worked out effortlessly. In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we do that calculation with customers in front of three different tubs — that is often the moment the choice becomes obvious.