Sports Nutrition

What is Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar 750 mg?

Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar Extra Strength is dehydrated cider vinegar, presented as coated tablets. One tablet provides 750 mg of apple cider vinegar powder, plus 100 mg of calcium and 7 mg of magnesium from Aquamin, a marine mineral extracted from seaweed. The dose is one tablet a day, with a meal.

Cider vinegar is obtained by a double fermentation of apple juice: alcoholic first, then acetic. What gives it its taste and its acidity is acetic acid. The powder used here is that same vinegar, dried, which makes it possible to put it into a tablet without having to drink an acidic liquid.

That is precisely where the point of the format lies, and it is very concrete: liquid vinegar attacks tooth enamel. A coated tablet goes down without prolonged contact with the teeth. The rest of the American range can be browsed in our Now Foods section, and the other products in the same family in our weight loss section.

What is in one Apple Cider Vinegar tablet?

Let us start with what cannot be said, because it is the most important thing about this particular product. No health claim is authorised in Europe for cider vinegar. Not on weight loss, not on digestion, not on blood sugar, not on appetite. It is a fermented food, sold here in dried form, and nothing can be promised of it. You will read the opposite just about everywhere; it is false, and that is precisely why we take the time to write this.

The two minerals in the formula do not change anything either. At 8% of the reference value for calcium and 2% for magnesium, the amounts stay below the 15% threshold that would allow them to be claimed as a source. They are therefore not there to nourish, but to buffer the acidity of the powder — which, on the other hand, does play a real role in how well the tablet is tolerated.

Aquamin is a raw material extracted from calcified marine algae, of Irish origin according to the manufacturer. It provides calcium and magnesium in a plant-based form, which is consistent with the tablet's vegetarian coating.

What this product does well is what the ingredients list only says by implication. It is short, with no colouring, no flavouring, no sweetener, and the manufacturer declares the absence of yeast, wheat, gluten, soya, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, nuts and sesame. In a section where “slimming” formulas pile up ten plant extracts and two stimulants, a product with a single active ingredient has the merit of clarity.

Data missing from the manufacturer's file: the number of tablets per bottle is not disclosed, which makes it impossible to work out how long a course lasts. The information is on the packaging you receive.

Ingredients list

Apple cider vinegar powder, maltodextrin (non-GMO), vegetarian coating (hypromellose, stearic acid of vegetable origin, sunflower lecithin, triethyl citrate, sunflower oil), stearic acid of vegetable origin, silicon dioxide, Aquamin (calcium and magnesium from marine algae).

Free from yeast, wheat, gluten, soya, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, nuts and sesame. A natural variation in colour from one batch to another is possible.

How do you take Apple Cider Vinegar?

Dose: 1 tablet. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: with the main meal. Frequency: once a day. Duration: a course of 3 to 6 months according to the manufacturer.

Taking it with a meal is an imperative instruction here, not a comfort tip. The manufacturer writes it unambiguously: on an empty stomach, a vinegar concentrate can cause digestive irritation. A full stomach buffers the acidity, and the marine calcium in the formula contributes to that as well. If you have ever had acid reflux after a glass of diluted cider vinegar, you know what this is about.

The tablet can be split if you find it large, which the manufacturer permits. Take it with a large glass of water, which helps it dissolve and keeps the acidity away from the oesophagus.

Leave two hours between this and any medication you take. It is a general precaution with acidic products and with minerals, and it is simple to apply: the tablet at lunch, your treatments at their usual times.

A word on the comparison with liquid vinegar, since everyone asks. The liquid costs less and can be found in any grocer's; in exchange, it attacks tooth enamel and has to be diluted carefully. The tablet solves both problems, travels well, and is dosed exactly. That is the only real argument for the format, and it is enough for some purposes.

This product combines without overlap with digestive enzymes, a probiotic or a multivitamin, none of which provides cider vinegar.

Who is Apple Cider Vinegar for, and who is it not for?

It suits an adult who wants to work cider vinegar into their routine without drinking an acidic liquid, and who appreciates a short, readable formula. The tablet format is also practical when travelling.

It is not recommended in cases of gastric ulcer or gastro-oesophageal reflux without medical advice. That is an explicit contraindication from the manufacturer, and it makes sense: we are talking about a concentrate of acetic acid. If your stomach is fragile, put the question to your doctor before buying.

It is for adults only, and medical advice is required during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tell your doctor you are taking it if you are on any treatment, not least because of the two-hour spacing precaution.

What not to expect from it, and this is the part most sites would rather keep quiet. It does not make you lose weight. It does not burn fat. It does not “detoxify” anything — the liver and the kidneys do that job without help. It does not suppress appetite and it does not regulate blood sugar: none of those statements has an authorised claim in Europe. If you are looking to lose weight, what counts is the calorie deficit and physical activity, and no tablet replaces those two levers.

Cider vinegar tablets or a fat burner in capsules?

The two products come up in the same searches, and yet they have nothing in common.

This cider vinegar tablet is a sober product: one active ingredient, two buffering minerals, no stimulant. It contains no caffeine, does not disturb sleep and can be taken at any mealtime. That is its main advantage, and it should not be underestimated if you are sensitive to stimulants.

A fat burner in capsules follows a different logic: carnitine, green tea, guarana, caffeine, plant extracts. Those formulas are more complete, but also more stimulating and more demanding — restricted timing, compulsory breaks, cardiovascular contraindications. If that is the route that interests you, our fat burner capsules section covers it fully.

When is neither the answer? If you expect a supplement to do the work for you. No product in this section has a weight-loss claim, and that is as true of cider vinegar as it is of fat burners. If you still want a stimulant-free formula, our caffeine-free fat burner section is the closest in spirit. And if your stomach is the real subject, a magnesium or a digestive enzyme will answer better than an acid concentrate.

Frequently asked questions

How much cider vinegar per tablet?

750 mg of apple cider vinegar powder, obtained by dehydrating the vinegar produced from the fermentation of apples. To that are added 100 mg of calcium and 7 mg of magnesium of marine origin, present to buffer the acidity rather than to nourish.

Does cider vinegar make you lose weight?

No, and no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe, whether on weight loss, on appetite or on blood sugar. It is a fermented food sold in dried form. Fat loss comes from the calorie deficit and from physical activity, not from a tablet.

Why take it during a meal?

Because a vinegar concentrate taken on an empty stomach can irritate the stomach: the manufacturer says so in black and white. A full stomach buffers the acidity, and the marine calcium in the formula plays its part too. A large glass of water completes the precaution.

Tablet or liquid vinegar?

The liquid costs less but attacks tooth enamel and has to be diluted. The coated tablet avoids that contact, travels easily and is dosed exactly. That is the only real advantage of the format, and it is enough for some purposes.

Is this product suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. The coating is declared vegetarian, the stearic acid is of vegetable origin and the Aquamin comes from calcified marine algae. The manufacturer also declares the absence of yeast, wheat, gluten, soya, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, nuts and sesame.

Can it be taken if you have reflux?

Not without medical advice. The manufacturer explicitly advises against the product in cases of ulcer or gastro-oesophageal reflux. We are talking about a concentrate of acetic acid: if your stomach is fragile, this is not the right product and it is better to know beforehand.

How long does a course last?

The manufacturer mentions 3 to 6 months at one tablet a day. The number of tablets per bottle has not been disclosed to us, so we cannot say how many bottles that represents; the information is on the packaging.

Where to buy Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar?

The bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship anywhere in France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is a product we sell often, but rarely for the reason the customer imagines: we start by explaining that it does not make you lose weight, and those who buy it afterwards do so in full knowledge of the facts. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition section.

What is Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar 450 mg?

It is dehydrated cider vinegar, put into a vegetable capsule, dosed at 450 mg of powder per capsule. The manufacturer states a vinegar obtained by the natural fermentation of apples.

The entire logic of the product lies in the format. Liquid cider vinegar is acidic, it attacks tooth enamel, and its taste puts most people off taking it regularly. The capsule solves those three problems at a stroke: no taste, no acidity in the mouth, no contact with the teeth. It is a convenience product, and that is its only reason to exist.

The composition is short: cider vinegar powder, maltodextrin as a bulking agent, a hypromellose capsule, stearic acid of plant origin and silicon dioxide. As the capsule is vegetable, the product is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The rest of the American range can be found in our Now Foods section.

What does a two-capsule dose contain?

* No NRV has been established for cider vinegar. Other components: maltodextrin (bulking agent), hypromellose (vegetable capsule), stearic acid of plant origin, silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent). The manufacturer declares a product free from gluten, soya, milk, egg, fish, crustaceans, nuts and wheat, made in a facility that otherwise handles those allergens. The number of capsules per bottle does not appear in the data supplied.

Let us now say what those 900 mg represent, because it is the question nobody asks and the one that decides everything. The manufacturer does not publish the acetic acid content of the powder, which is nevertheless the characteristic component of vinegar. Without that figure, it is impossible to say how many spoonfuls of liquid vinegar a two-capsule dose corresponds to, and we will not invent it. What we can say: 900 mg of powder is very little in volume, and probably far less than the tablespoon of vinegar usually talked about.

The second point to put plainly: cider vinegar has no authorised health claim in Europe. None on digestion, none on blood sugar, none on weight. So you will read no promise here, and that is deliberate: what the regulations forbid us to assert, we will not write, not even in a roundabout form.

What remains, and what is true: it is a traditional food, put into a format that lets you take it every day without forcing yourself, with less than 2 kcal per dose and an ingredients list five lines long. If cider vinegar is part of your habits and the taste puts you off, this product answers exactly that need.

How do you take the cider vinegar capsules?

Dose: 1 to 2 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: with meals, preferably before the main meals. Frequency: up to 3 times a day. Duration: a course of 2 to 3 months.

The manufacturer advises starting with a single capsule a day to gauge digestive tolerance, then increasing as required. That is good advice: vinegar remains an acid, and even in powder form it does not go down the same way for everyone.

Two instructions that carry weight. Take the capsule with a large glass of water, never dry: a capsule that opened in the oesophagus would release its acidic content in the wrong place. And do not chew the capsules — the manufacturer asks this explicitly, and for the same reason.

On duration, two to three months is the marker given. Nothing requires a break, and nothing indicates that going beyond brings anything either. At three daily doses of two capsules, you are taking six capsules a day: that is the stated maximum, and it gets through a bottle quickly.

One piece of data is missing and we would rather put it in writing: the number of capsules per bottle does not appear in the information supplied by the manufacturer. Divide the number printed on the label by your daily consumption to work out how long it will last.

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

The product is for adults only. It suits those who already consume cider vinegar and are looking for a format with no taste and no acidity, those who travel, and those protecting their tooth enamel — liquid vinegar taken daily is aggressive on the teeth, and that is a concrete argument in favour of the capsule.

It is not suitable in case of gastric ulcer or severe digestive disorders: that is the contraindication carried by the manufacturer, and it is logical for an acidic product. In case of pregnancy or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before use. If you are on any medication, tell your doctor you are taking this: the manufacturer explicitly asks that this be done, and the recommendation is worth following.

Nor is it for you if you are expecting a result. We would rather be clear even if it means selling less: since no claim is authorised for cider vinegar, nobody can promise you anything on digestion, appetite or weight without stepping outside the legal framework. What we are selling here is a practical format for a traditional food, not a solution.

What you should not expect from it, precisely: no weight loss. A calorie deficit makes you lose weight; a vinegar capsule does not. Our weight loss range includes useful products, but none of them replaces what you put on your plate. Do not buy it for that.

Cider vinegar or a fat burner in capsules?

This is the comparison that comes up most often, because the two products are bought for the same reasons — and often with the same hopes.

A fat burner in capsules generally contains caffeine, green tea or green coffee extracts, sometimes carnitine. It shares with cider vinegar the absence of an authorised health claim for most of its ingredients, but it has one concrete advantage: caffeine, for its part, produces an effect you will feel — more energy, a session easier to get through during a period of restriction. It is the better choice if you are after a noticeable boost in training.

Cider vinegar capsules have no stimulant, no caffeine, and therefore no felt effect. That is a drawback if you are after a sensation, and a real advantage if you cannot tolerate stimulants, if you are already taking them elsewhere, or if you want something that can be taken in the evening without touching your sleep. They impose neither cycling nor breaks.

If your starting question was rather about digestive comfort, two other ranges are better placed and rest on more direct logics: our probiotics and our digestive enzymes. And if you are simply looking to secure your micronutrient intake, a multivitamin will do more for you than any of those three.

Frequently asked questions

How much liquid vinegar does one capsule represent?

We cannot say: the manufacturer does not publish the acetic acid content of the powder, which is the only figure that allows the conversion. What we do know is that one capsule supplies 450 mg of cider vinegar powder — a modest weight, and in all likelihood well below a tablespoon of liquid vinegar.

Can the capsules be opened or chewed?

No, the manufacturer asks this explicitly. The contents are acidic: released in the mouth or in the oesophagus, they can be irritant, and they would attack tooth enamel exactly as liquid vinegar would. Swallow the capsule whole with a large glass of water.

Do they make you lose weight?

No, and no claim of that kind is authorised for cider vinegar in Europe. So we will not write it, in any form whatsoever. What makes you lose weight is a calorie deficit held over time — a capsule neither replaces it nor makes it easier.

How many should you take a day?

The manufacturer allows 1 to 2 capsules up to 3 times a day, that is 6 capsules at most. It advises starting with a single capsule a day to gauge digestive tolerance. In practice, two capsules a day with a meal are enough for most people.

Are they less aggressive on the teeth than liquid vinegar?

Yes, and that is the format's most solid argument. Liquid vinegar consumed regularly attacks tooth enamel — this is well documented and it is dentists' first reservation about the habit. The capsule, swallowed whole, does not bring the acid into contact with the teeth.

Are there any contraindications?

The manufacturer advises against the product in case of gastric ulcer or severe digestive disorders, asks for professional advice in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding, and invites you to tell your doctor you are taking it if you are on medication. The product is also for adults only.

How many capsules are there in a bottle?

The number does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, and we will not invent it. The figure is printed on the bottle: divide it by your daily consumption to work out how long it will last. At two capsules a day, the two- to three-month course calls for between 120 and 180 capsules.

Where to buy Now Foods cider vinegar capsules?

The bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a simple product, honestly formulated, and one on which we promise nothing — which, in this category, sets us apart from a good part of the market.

At the Vendargues counter, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the conversation about cider vinegar always starts with the same question: what do you expect from this product? When the answer is “to lose weight”, we recommend something else. When it is “I already take vinegar in the morning and I have had enough of the taste”, this is exactly the right product. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Rule One's Active BCAA?

Rule One Active BCAA is a powder to be mixed with water and drunk during or after training. A 12.5 g serving provides 5 g of BCAAs at a 2:1:1 ratio, rounded out with 1.5 g of glutamine, 1 g of citrulline, 500 mg of taurine, 350 mg of electrolytes and 350 mg of coconut water powder. The 375 g tub holds 30 servings.

Rule One Proteins is an American brand founded by a family that was already working in sports nutrition before launching its own range. On this particular product, the distinguishing feature is easy to state: this is not a standalone BCAA, it is a BCAA to which a training-drink base has been added. The difference lies in those 350 mg of electrolytes and that coconut water, not in the amino acids themselves.

The flavours in the range: Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Orange and Peach Mango. All are caffeine-free, which means you can drink your serving at the end of the day with no consequences for your sleep. The rest of the range can be browsed in our Rule One section, and the other products in the category in our BCAA selection.

What does a serving of Active BCAA contain?

2.5 g of leucine per serving: that is the figure that counts in a BCAA, and the only one that genuinely separates two products. Leucine is the amino acid that carries most of the family's value; isoleucine and valine come along with it. A 2:1:1 ratio like this one is the original and by far the most common format. The spectacular ratios you see going around — 8:1:1, 10:1:1 — increase the share of leucine at the expense of the other two, without changing much about the total amount taken in.

1 g of citrulline, on the other hand, is a supporting dose, not an active one. In this category, citrulline is normally worked at between 6 and 8 g per serving. At 1 g, it is there to round out the drink's profile, not to play the role it has in a pre-workout. If citrulline is what interests you, our citrulline section offers doses on a completely different scale from this one, and it is more honest to tell you so than to let you believe otherwise.

The formula is low in calories and free from added sugar, its sweetness coming from sucralose and acesulfame potassium. On the regulatory side, one point has to be stated clearly: no health claim is authorised in Europe for BCAAs, glutamine, citrulline or taurine. Not for recovery, not for muscle mass, not for performance. What we can do is tell you exactly what the serving contains and when athletes drink it. The rest is advertising.

Ingredients list

L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-glutamine, L-citrulline, taurine, coconut water powder, sodium (sodium chloride), citric acid, natural and artificial flavourings, malic acid, silicon dioxide, calcium silicate, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, sunflower lecithin, colours depending on the flavour.

Allergen: COCONUT. The manufacturer states that production takes place in a facility that also handles milk, eggs, soya and tree nuts: traces are therefore possible.

How do you take Active BCAA?

Serving: 1 scoop of 12.5 g. Liquid: 300 to 350 ml of cold water. Timing: during your session, or within the 30 minutes that follow. Frequency: one serving per training day; on rest days, between two meals. Duration: the manufacturer sets no course length, the product can be used continuously.

The volume of water is not a detail on this product. 300 to 350 ml is a lot for 12.5 g of powder, and it is deliberate: the electrolytes and the coconut water are only of any interest if you actually drink during your session. Mixing it into 150 ml gives you a concentrated drink you swallow in one go, which loses half the point of it.

Sip it steadily throughout your training rather than downing it all at once. On a long session, in a hot gym, or in summer in Montpellier where the question genuinely arises, that is the best use of this formula. A shaker with volume markings will save you from guessing.

Caffeine-free, it can be drunk at any hour, including in the evening. That is a real practical advantage over stimulant training drinks, which have to be shifted when you train after 19:00. If, on the contrary, you are looking for energy before your session, this is not the product you need — you need a pre-workout.

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

It is aimed at someone who wants a pleasant drink to sip during training, with a supply of amino acids and electrolytes and no stimulant. It is as much a comfort product as a nutritional one, and it is very well designed for that: clean flavours, good solubility, no caffeine at all.

It is not suitable if you are allergic to coconut, since coconut water powder is part of the formula. It is not recommended for children or for pregnant and breastfeeding women. If you are on medical treatment, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before use. The manufacturer flags production in a facility handling milk, eggs, soya and tree nuts: if your allergy is severe, take that into account.

What not to expect from it. No claim exists for these ingredients in Europe. And there is a point to add that few sellers own up to: if you already eat enough protein during the day, a BCAA does not add much. Branched-chain amino acids are present in quantity in milk, eggs, meat and in any protein powder. 5 g of BCAAs is what around 25 g of whey contains — which you may well already be taking. This product makes sense as a training drink, not as an essential supplement.

BCAA or EAA?

This is the comparison to make before buying, and it tilts fairly clearly to one side.

EAAs contain all nine essential amino acids, BCAAs only three. Yet the body needs the full set to build a protein: a supply of leucine, isoleucine and valine without the other six is an incomplete base. That is why the category has shifted massively towards EAAs over the past few years. Our EAA selection covers these complete formulas, and it is where we point most customers who come in looking for an “intra-workout”.

So when should you choose this one? When the drink interests you as much as the amino acids do. The 350 mg of electrolytes and the coconut water are not found in a standard EAA, and a lot of people quite simply drink more during their session when their bottle has some flavour to it. That is a real benefit, even if it is not a glorious one to write down.

A third option, often the best one: if you train for a long time and sweat heavily, a dedicated electrolyte product will provide considerably more sodium than the 350 mg of blend in here. And if your goal is protein intake, a serving of protein after your session remains the main lever, far ahead of isolated amino acids.

Frequently asked questions

How much leucine per serving?

2.5 g, out of 5 g of BCAAs at a 2:1:1 ratio. It is the only line that is genuinely comparable from one BCAA to another. Heavily skewed ratios of the 8:1:1 type increase the share of leucine but reduce isoleucine and valine, without changing the total quantity of amino acids taken in.

Which flavours are available?

In the range: Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Orange and Peach Mango. The amino acid composition is identical from one flavour to the next; only the flavouring and the colour change. All of them mix into 300 to 350 ml of cold water.

Can you drink it in the evening?

Yes, the formula contains no stimulant. It is one of the few training products that can be taken after 19:00 with no consequences for falling asleep. If you are looking for energy before your session, you need to turn to a pre-workout, not to this one.

Does the product contain coconut?

Yes, in the form of coconut water powder, at 350 mg per serving. It is a declared allergen. The manufacturer also states that production takes place in a facility handling milk, eggs, soya and tree nuts, with a risk of traces.

Is 1 g of citrulline enough?

No, not for the use this molecule is usually expected to serve. Reference doses in this category sit between 6 and 8 g per serving. Here, citrulline rounds out the drink's profile. If it is citrulline you are interested in, buy a dedicated product.

Should you take it on rest days?

The manufacturer suggests you can, between two meals. We are more reserved: if your daily protein intake is adequate, an extra serving of amino acids on a day without training brings nothing measurable. Keep the tub for training days and it will last longer.

How many servings in a tub?

Thirty 12.5 g servings in the 375 g tub. At four training sessions a week, that comes to a little under two months. Use the scoop provided, or a scale if you want to be precise: heaped scoops throw all the calculations off.

Where can you buy Rule One's Active BCAA?

The 375 g tub can be ordered 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 product we suggest to people who cannot manage to drink enough during their session — a bottle with some flavour in it often solves the problem better than a lecture on hydration. We do, on the other hand, always ask about allergies first, because of the coconut water. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition section.

What is Rule One Whey Blend?

It is a whey protein powder that combines three forms of whey — concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate — in a single formula. The reference serving is 32 g for 24 g of protein and 130 kcal.

The sizes listed: the 900 g tub, around 28 servings, and the 2.2 kg tub, around 68 servings. Not every flavour is offered in each size: Cookies & Creme and Chocolate Peanut Butter come only in 2.2 kg, while Strawberry Banana, Toasted Cinnamon Cereal, Lightly Salted Caramel and Fruity Cereal come only in 900 g.

The idea behind a blend is simple: concentrate costs less and gives body to the texture, isolate lifts the protein content, hydrolysate brings peptides that are already broken down. The manufacturer does not publish the split between the three, which is the limit of the exercise: you know all three are in there, but not in what proportions. We flag that rather than ignore it. The full American brand can be found in our Rule One section, and the complete range under proteins.

What does a 32 g serving contain?

* Column calculated from the values declared for 32 g. ** Salt equivalent obtained by multiplying sodium by 2.5, following the conversion in Regulation 1169/2011 — the manufacturer, being American, declares sodium where a European label shows salt. Missing from the data supplied: kilojoules, the “of which saturates”, “of which sugars” and “fibre” lines, and the detailed amino acid profile.

The figure to hold on to is 75 g of protein per 100 g of powder. That is a good level for a blend, higher than a whey concentrate on its own, which often tops out at 70-72 g, and logically below a pure isolate at 85-90 g. Put on a plate: 24 g of protein is the equivalent of about four eggs, for 130 kcal.

The second figure is the 5 g of BCAAs. It is not an addition at all: those BCAAs occur naturally in whey, and 5 g per 24 g of protein is exactly what you expect from a decent whey. Be wary of labels that present this figure as fortification: it is ordinary whey.

Two things to watch, because they are not put forward. First, 0.31 g of salt per serving: nothing alarming, but at three shakers a day that comes to nearly a gram, and it counts if you track your intake. Second, the formula contains sucralose and acesulfame potassium, along with natural and artificial flavourings: this is not a plain powder. The manufacturer also states that third-party laboratory testing is carried out; we report that statement as they publish it, without having verified it ourselves.

The applicable regulatory wording is the only one authorised for this type of product: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass.

How do you prepare Rule One Whey Blend?

Dose: 32 g, one scoop. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of cold water or plant-based drink. Timing: after training, on waking or between meals. Frequency: 1 to 3 servings a day depending on your protein needs. Duration: continuous, as no course is intended.

Thirty seconds of vigorous shaking is enough, pouring the liquid in before the powder. Two hundred and fifty millilitres gives a lighter texture than two hundred; that is a matter of taste, and the flavours in this range are frankly dessert-like — Birthday Cake and Campfire S’mores are names that deliver on their promise.

The tip the manufacturer gives, and it is worth the detour: put the mix through a blender with ice cubes. The texture turns creamy, close to a milkshake, and that completely transforms a shake you have been drinking every day for six months.

On timing, let us be honest: there is no thirty-minute window to hit after training. What determines the result is your total protein across the day. Take this shake at the point where your intake is genuinely falling short — often breakfast or the afternoon, rarely the changing rooms.

The powder combines well with fruit, a nut butter or oats, which turns a shake into a full snack. It also stands up to baking.

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

It suits most situations: it is an everyday whey, at a decent protein content, with a choice of flavours few brands offer. The 2.2 kg size appeals to those taking two or three shakes a day who would rather not reorder every month.

It contains MILK and SOYA (lecithin, sometimes replaced by sunflower lecithin depending on the batch). Traces of EGG, PEANUTS and NUTS are possible depending on the production line. The manufacturer advises against it for people allergic to milk proteins and for under-15s without medical advice. In cases of kidney or liver failure, consult a healthcare professional before use.

A word on gluten: the manufacturer writes that the formula is free of it “for most flavours”. That wording does not settle the question flavour by flavour. If you have coeliac disease, check the label on the tub you receive rather than relying on this page.

It suits you less well if you digest lactose poorly: a blend containing a share of concentrate retains more of it than a pure isolate, and the manufacturer does not publish the content. In that case, look instead at our whey isolate section. Nor is it for you if you want a powder without sweeteners: sucralose and acesulfame K are present in every flavour.

What you should not expect from it: anything a good protein source does not do. A whey does not build muscle on its own, it tops up an intake. If your diet does not already supply the bulk of your protein, no 2.2 kg tub will make up for it.

Whey Blend or pure isolate?

That is the choice facing you at every purchase, and it comes down to three lines.

An isolate supplies 85 to 92 g of protein per 100 g, against 75 g here, with far less lactose and fat. It is the better choice in two specific cases: if milky shakes bother you, and if you are in a strict cutting phase where every gram counts. Its drawback is the price, appreciably higher per kilo, and a texture that is often thinner, which some find less pleasant.

The blend wins on balance. At 24 g of protein per serving, you are within a gram or two of an isolate at a lower cost, with a rounder texture and a far wider choice of flavours. On a product you will take every day for months, those last two points carry real weight — a tub you no longer want to open is no use to anyone.

The hydrolysate share, for its part, should not swing the decision: pure hydrolysed whey exists in our range if that is what you are after, with a markedly more bitter taste and a much higher price. Here it is present in an undisclosed proportion, which rules out making an argument of it. If your goal is strength rather than protein intake, the creatine monohydrate section delivers more for far less money, and the two combine without any problem.

Frequently asked questions

What is the split between concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate?

The manufacturer does not publish it in the data available to us, and we are not going to invent it. That is the genuine limitation of every blend on the market: you know what is in there, not in what proportions. The only verifiable figure remains the 24 g of protein per 32 g serving.

How many servings per tub?

Around 28 for the 900 g size and 68 for the 2.2 kg, at 32 g per serving. At one shake a day, that comes to one month and a little over two months respectively; at two shakes, halve it.

Is every flavour available in each size?

No, and it is a common source of disappointment. Cookies & Creme and Chocolate Peanut Butter are offered only in 2.2 kg; Strawberry Banana, Toasted Cinnamon Cereal, Lightly Salted Caramel and Fruity Cereal only in 900 g. Check that your flavour is available in the size you want before ordering.

Does the powder contain gluten?

The manufacturer states that the formula is free of it “for most flavours”, without specifying which ones are the exception. If you have coeliac disease, that wording is not enough: read the label on the tub you receive, as it alone is authoritative.

Why sodium and not salt on the label?

Because the manufacturer is American and follows the convention of its market. To convert, multiply sodium by 2.5: 125 mg of sodium corresponds to 0.31 g of salt per serving. It is the calculation to make every time you compare an American label with a European one.

Can you make it with milk?

Yes, even though the manufacturer specifies water or a plant-based drink. Milk thickens the texture and adds 100 to 130 kcal depending on the volume: useful when gaining weight, and to be worked into your total if you are counting calories. A run through the blender with ice cubes gives the best result.

Which flavour should you choose for a first tub?

Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Fudge are the two safe bets: neutral in the sense that you do not tire of them and they go with oats or fruit. Birthday Cake, Fruity Cereal and Campfire S’mores are far more pronounced — enjoyable on the first shake, harder to stay with over a 2.2 kg tub.

Where can you buy Rule One Whey Blend?

The sizes and the full set of flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. If this is your first tub of this brand, take the 900 g: three weeks will tell you whether the flavour suits you.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the sum we work through with the customer, pen and paper on the counter: price of the tub divided by the weight, divided by the protein content per 100 g. On a whey at 75 g per 100 g, the comparison with an isolate at 90 g sometimes gives an unexpected result — and often one that favours the blend. The full range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Rule One Burn?

Rule One Burn is a mix-with-water powder from the fat burners family, built around 200 mg of caffeine per serving and a series of plant extracts. The word “burner” here describes a commercial category, not a proven effect: we will come back to that further down, because it is the point most product pages in this aisle quietly skip over.

What sets the formula apart is the way the caffeine is delivered. Rather than a single anhydrous caffeine, Rule One combines five sources: anhydrous caffeine, guarana, tea, coffee and a microencapsulated fraction. The release rates are not identical, which spreads out the rise and softens the come-down. It is a formulation choice you can feel in use if you cope badly with an abrupt spike. The rest of the range is in our Rule One aisle.

The flavours listed: Watermelon, Snow Cone and Peach Mango. One point to watch when reading the label: the manufacturer's documentation also describes a capsule version, with different dosages and one extra ingredient, forskholii extract. That capsule version is not the one sold on this page — here it is the powder, and it is its figures that we set out.

What does a serving of Rule One Burn contain?

The energy values are negligible, as the formula is sugar-free. The number of servings per tub is not published by the manufacturer in the information available to us.

200 mg of caffeine is exactly the threshold set by EFSA as a single dose that raises no safety concern for a healthy adult, with the recommended total daily intake staying below 400 mg. In practice, one serving is the equivalent of two short espressos. It is neither timid nor excessive: it is calibrated to work without forcing you to split the dose. What it does leave is very little room for the rest of the day. If you drink three coffees at the office, you are already at the limit before you even open the tub.

Caffeine is the only ingredient in this formula with authorised health claims in Europe, and it is worth knowing which ones: it helps to increase alertness and helps to improve concentration, at 75 mg. It also contributes to an increase in endurance performance and to a reduction in the rated perceived exertion, at 3 mg per kilogram of body weight before exercise. No claim covers weight loss or fat burning.

The 100 mg of theanine is the other good idea in the formula. This amino acid from tea, paired with caffeine, takes the edge off the jitters without reducing its effect on alertness. It is a classic pairing and one of the best documented in this aisle.

The 1,500 mg of L-carnitine tartrate is a genuine dose for this molecule. One thing has to be clear, however: carnitine has no authorised claim in Europe, and the work on oral supplementation in people who are not deficient is very mixed. The powder burners aisle lets you compare dosages from one brand to another.

Finally, Capsimax® and grains of paradise are dosed at 25 and 20 mg. These amounts match the standardised extracts used in the published protocols, but the size of the documented thermogenic effect comes to a few tens of kilocalories a day. It is real, it is measurable in a laboratory, and it is far below what a twenty-minute walk represents.

Ingredients list

Anhydrous caffeine, L-carnitine L-tartrate, tyrosine, standardised green tea leaf extract, green coffee bean extract, Capsimax® (capsicum fruit extract), grains of paradise (seed extract of Aframomum melegueta), BioPerine® (black pepper fruit extract), forskholii extract, guarana seed extract, L-theanine, ginger root extract. Other ingredients: natural and artificial flavourings, citric acid, silica, sucralose, acesulfame potassium. Manufactured in a facility that processes MILK, SOYA, EGG, FISH, CRUSTACEANS, TREE NUTS, PEANUTS and WHEAT.

How do you take Rule One Burn?

Serving: one scoop. Liquid: 250 to 300 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 minutes before training, or in the morning on an empty stomach on non-training days. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer recommends cyclical use, 8 to 12 weeks followed by 2 to 4 weeks off.

Start with half a serving. This is not over-caution: 200 mg in one go, in someone who does not drink coffee regularly, brings on tremors, a faster heart rate and sometimes nausea. Half a serving for three days tells you everything you need to know.

The most important rule is a matter of timing: nothing after 15:00. Caffeine has a half-life of five to six hours, which means a serving taken at 17:00 still leaves 100 mg in the blood at 23:00. The manufacturer recommends avoiding any intake in the six hours before bedtime, and that is a minimum. If the evening is the only time you can train, this is not the right product: turn instead to a caffeine-free burner.

Drink more than usual while you are on it. Caffeine increases urine output, and training does the rest. Finally, do not stack this product with a pre-session booster: most contain 150 to 300 mg, and the total goes well beyond what is reasonable in a single serving.

Who is Rule One Burn for, and who is it not for?

It suits an adult who tolerates caffeine well, who trains in the morning or in the early afternoon, and who is already in a calorie deficit — the condition without which none of this makes any sense.

It does not suit, and the manufacturer is explicit about this: pregnant and breastfeeding women, people sensitive to caffeine, or anyone with high blood pressure, heart conditions, insomnia or anxiety. These are not decorative warnings. In an anxious person, 200 mg of caffeine can turn a normal day into a difficult one.

Nor does it suit you if you are on any current medication: caffeine interacts with several families of drugs, and the question is one to put to your doctor or pharmacist before buying. The same applies to anti-doping testing: check the batch status with your federation.

What not to expect from it, and this is the most useful paragraph on this page: this product does not make you lose weight. No burner does, and no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe. What it actually does is supply energy and alertness at a point when the calorie deficit is stripping them from you, which makes sessions easier and the day less of a slog. Weight loss itself comes from the gap between what you eat and what you expend. If that gap does not exist, this tub will change precisely nothing.

Rule One Burn powder or a capsule burner?

Both exist in our range and they are not meant for the same use.

A capsule burner travels well, goes down in three seconds and splits easily: two capsules in the morning, one at midday. It is the better choice if your work takes you out and about, if you have no shaker to hand, or if you would rather spread the caffeine across the day than take it all at once.

The powder has two concrete advantages. The first is the volume of water: 300 ml swallowed along with the product is that much hydration taken as a matter of course, which counts during a cutting phase. The second is the ritual — a shaker before the session frames the training in a way a capsule does not. Its drawback: splitting a powder is less convenient.

If your aim above all is to build a calorie deficit, every product in this family can be compared in our weight loss aisle.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine is in one serving?

200 mg, spread across five sources: anhydrous caffeine, guarana, tea, coffee and a microencapsulated fraction. That is the equivalent of two short espressos, and it matches the highest single dose considered to raise no safety concern by EFSA in a healthy adult.

Can it be taken before an evening session?

It is not advisable. The manufacturer recommends avoiding any intake in the six hours before bedtime, and caffeine takes five to six hours for its concentration to halve. For training after 18:00, a caffeine-free burner is the consistent choice.

Should you take breaks?

The manufacturer recommends 8 to 12 weeks of use followed by 2 to 4 weeks off. The reason is simple: tolerance to caffeine sets in within a few weeks, and at high tolerance the same dose no longer does much. The break is there to restore sensitivity, not to “cleanse” anything.

Does this product make you lose weight?

No. No food supplement brings about weight loss on its own, and no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe for these ingredients. Fat loss comes from the calorie deficit. This product supplies energy and alertness during that deficit: it is a support, never the engine.

What is the difference with the capsule version?

The dosages differ: the capsule version contains more Capsimax® and grains of paradise, as well as a forskholii extract that is absent from the powder. Only the powder version is sold on this page, and it is the one the figures in the table above describe.

Can it be combined with a pre-workout?

Better not to. Most boosters contain between 150 and 300 mg of caffeine; add them together and you quickly go past 400 mg in a single serving, with a real risk of palpitations and anxiety. If you want both, choose a stimulant-free booster for the session.

Does the product contain sugars?

No, the formula is sugar-free and the sweetness comes from sucralose and acesulfame potassium. The energy values are negligible, which means it can be worked into a day of controlled intake without any calculation.

Where can you buy Rule One Burn?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we never sell a burner without raising the question of coffee: between the tub and the four espressos over the course of the day, there is always one of the two that needs cutting back. It is rarely what the customer came in for, and it is nonetheless the most useful advice we can give. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is FULL AF by 5% Nutrition?

5% Nutrition Rich Piana FULL AF is a pre-workout with no stimulants whatsoever. No caffeine, no stimulant extracts: the formula is built solely around muscle pump and cellular hydration. It is a category in its own right, often misunderstood, and this product is one of its most heavily dosed representatives.

Five active ingredients make up the formula: 8 g of L-citrulline, 2 g of L-taurine, 2 g of GlycerSize™ (65% glycerol), 2 g of anhydrous betaine and 750 mg of Nitrosigine® (inositol-stabilised arginine silicate). Everything is quantified, there is no proprietary blend — rare enough in this section to be worth pointing out.

The flavours on offer: Wildberry, Push Pop and Blue Raspberry. The product appears in our caffeine-free booster section, and also stands comparison with the formulas in the creatine-free pre-workout section.

What does one serving of FULL AF contain?

The manufacturer publishes neither the macronutrient breakdown, nor the salt content, nor the number of servings per tub: we are flagging that rather than estimating it. The 60 kcal come mostly from the glucose polymers used as a carrier.

The figure that makes this whole page is the 8 g of citrulline per serving. For context: ordinary pre-workouts provide 1 to 2 g, serious formulas 4 to 6 g. Very few products reach 8 g, quite simply because citrulline is expensive and takes up room in the scoop. At that dose, the price of the tub explains itself.

One regulatory point is interesting, and rare in this category: betaine has an authorised claim in Europe — it contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism, from an intake of 1.5 g a day. The 2 g in this formula exceeds that threshold. The regulations require it to be stated that a daily intake in excess of 4 g may significantly increase blood cholesterol levels: at 2 g per serving and one serving a day, you stay below that, but the information has to appear. For citrulline, taurine, glycerol and arginine, no claim is authorised.

How should you dose FULL AF?

Serving: 1 full scoop, without exceeding one a day. Liquid: 250 to 350 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 minutes before training, preferably on an empty stomach. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer gives no cycle or mandatory break — logically enough, since there is no stimulant to build tolerance to.

One particular feature of this product: it can also be taken on rest days, in the morning on an empty stomach. The manufacturer recommends this to maintain the sensation of muscle fullness, and it is a use that would make no sense with a stimulant pre-workout.

Drink plenty. This is not a throwaway piece of advice: glycerol works by holding water, and without a sufficient fluid intake the formula cannot do anything. Allow at least an extra half a litre on the day you use it.

The manufacturer also states that it is possible to pair it with a stimulant pre-workout, by taking FULL AF thirty minutes beforehand. It is a common combination among advanced users: the pump on one side, the energy on the other. If you do it, add up the caffeine from the second product, not from this one — it has none.

Who is FULL AF for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at three clearly identified profiles. Those who train in the evening and do not want to sacrifice their sleep. Those who are sensitive to stimulants — palpitations, anxiety, tremors — and have given up on conventional pre-workouts. And those who work in long sets, in the 8 to 12 rep range, and are after the sensation of a pump.

The restrictions are shorter than on a stimulant product, but they exist. For adults over 18 only. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are on any medical treatment. Do not exceed one scoop a day. The product contains COCONUT derivatives, which rules it out if you are allergic to tree nuts. It also contains FD&C Yellow No. 5, tartrazine, for which European regulations require the statement: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. Finally, do not use the product if the safety seal is damaged.

What not to expect from it: energy. That is the most frequent misunderstanding about this product. Without caffeine, you will feel no kick, no heightened alertness, nothing edgy. You may feel your muscles fuller, and that is all the formula is aiming for. Nor should you expect strength or muscle from it: a pump is a sensation, not a result.

FULL AF or a stimulant pre-workout?

The two do not replace each other, and the best advice we can give is to work out which of the two problems you are trying to solve.

A stimulant pre-workout is the right choice when the problem is finding the will to go. A session at 6:00 in the morning, a heavy end to the week, motivation at a low ebb: caffeine is what solves that, and nothing else. The formulas in the pre-workouts section typically provide 200 to 400 mg of caffeine, often with more modest citrulline doses. They also win on price: citrulline costs more than caffeine, and a tub with 8 g per serving has to be paid for.

FULL AF wins as soon as stimulation is not the point, or is itself the problem. On citrulline alone, it is ahead of just about everything we sell, including the most expensive formulas. It also wins on flexibility: it is the only type of product you can take at 20:00 without a second thought, or on rest days. The isolated ingredients that make it up — taurine, L-arginine — are also available separately if you would rather put together your own blend, but at 8 g of citrulline per serving, the sums rarely work in your favour.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings does a tub contain?

The manufacturer does not publish the net weight or the number of servings in the data supplied, and we will not estimate it. The information is on the packaging: read it when it arrives. The serving is one full scoop, once a day at most.

Is there really zero caffeine?

Yes. The formula contains neither caffeine nor any other stimulant, and the manufacturer states so explicitly. That is precisely the point of the product: it can be taken late in the day with no consequences for sleep.

What is the glycerol in the formula for?

GlycerSize™ is a 65% glycerol powder, dosed at 2 g. Glycerol holds water in the tissues, which explains the instruction to increase hydration that comes with the product. No health claim is authorised in Europe for glycerol: we describe its role in the formula without attributing any regulated effect to it.

Can it be combined with a stimulant pre-workout?

Yes, and the manufacturer even recommends it: take FULL AF thirty minutes before the stimulant. Since it provides no caffeine, there is no risk of stacking on that front. Just check the caffeine dose of the second product, which remains subject to the usual guidelines.

Can it be taken on days without training?

The manufacturer says so: one serving in the morning on an empty stomach on rest days. It is a possible use, specific to non-stimulant formulas. That said, if your budget is tight, keep the product for training sessions: that is where it makes the most sense.

Do you need to drink more than usual?

Yes, at least 500 ml more on the day you use it. Glycerol works by holding water: if you are already short on fluids, the formula cannot work and you mostly risk headaches. A bottle next to the bench is not optional here.

Does it contain allergens?

Yes, it contains coconut derivatives, which rules it out if you are allergic to tree nuts. It is, on the other hand, declared gluten-free and free from artificial colours with the exception of FD&C Yellow No. 5.

Where can you buy FULL AF by 5% Nutrition?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a product we often recommend to customers who tell us they have stopped taking pre-workouts because of sleep or palpitations: most of them do not know this category exists.

Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, is also the place to compare citrulline labels side by side — that is generally the moment when the gap in dosing becomes obvious. The full range can be found in the 5% Nutrition collection.

What is Rule One Energized Amino?

Rule One Energized Amino is a caffeinated amino acid drink mix that provides 5.5 g of amino acids and 120 mg of caffeine per serving, for just 10 kcal. It sits halfway between a conventional BCAA and a light pre-workout booster: too low in caffeine to replace a pre-workout, too stimulating to drink in the evening.

The caffeine does not come from an anhydrous source but from green tea leaf and green coffee bean extracts. In practice the molecule is the same; what changes is what comes with it — the polyphenols in tea slow the rise slightly, and the sensation is less abrupt than with 120 mg of pure caffeine. The rest of the range appears in our Rule One section.

The flavours listed: Pineapple Passion Fruit, Orange Clementine, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Sour Candy, Peach Mango, Watermelon and Fruit Punch. The number of servings per tub is not published by the manufacturer in the information available to us.

What does a serving of Energized Amino contain?

Two points about reading this table need making, and they are not trivial.

The first: the “protein: 0 g” line is not a mistake. Free amino acids are not protein in the sense used by nutrition labelling, which calculates protein from the nitrogen in whole proteins. You are indeed swallowing 5.5 g of amino acids, but they do not show up in the protein line. This throws a lot of buyers.

The second: the declared value of 10 kcal strikes us as low given the 5.5 g of amino acids stated, which would normally represent around twenty kilocalories. We will not settle the matter on the manufacturer's behalf, nor will we recalculate their label. Simply bear in mind that the intake stays low either way, and that nothing here weighs on a day of controlled intake.

2 g of BCAAs is modest. A dedicated product provides 5 to 7 g per serving. Here the amino acids act as a base for a training drink rather than a genuine intake: that is not a flaw if you buy the product for what it is, but it is one if you think you are buying a BCAA. Full EAAs answer a different need, and answer it better.

The 750 mg of citrulline malate is likewise below the amounts used in published protocols, which tend to be around 6 to 8 g. If the pump is what you are after, our citrulline section offers serious doses. The beta-alanine, whose amount is not published, does on the other hand explain the tingling some users feel a few minutes after taking it; the beta-alanine section offers it dosed in its own right.

One important regulatory point, and it concerns the colourings. The formula uses FD&C colourings depending on the flavour: Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. The last three correspond in Europe to additives E129, E102 and E110, for which a mandatory statement applies: “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”. That statement must appear on the label of the product sold in Europe. Check for it on the tub you receive, and know that it exists.

Finally, no health claim is authorised in Europe for BCAAs, citrulline, taurine or glutamine. Only caffeine has one: it helps to increase alertness and to improve concentration from 75 mg upwards.

Ingredients list

Performance complex: L-leucine, L-valine, L-isoleucine, beta-alanine, L-citrulline, taurine, L-glutamine. Energy complex: green tea leaf extract, green coffee bean extract. Other ingredients: natural and artificial flavourings, citric acid, malic acid, inulin, silicon dioxide, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, sunflower lecithin. Colourings depending on the flavour: FD&C Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. No added sugar and no creatine.

How should you take Energized Amino?

Dose: one scoop. Liquid: 240 to 350 ml of cold water. Timing: in the morning in place of coffee, 20 to 30 minutes before a session, or during a long workout. Frequency: one to two servings a day, at least four hours apart. Duration: the manufacturer sets no course length.

The timing rule is the same as for any caffeinated product: nothing in the six hours before bed. The manufacturer states this explicitly. At 120 mg per serving, a shaker drunk at 18:00 still leaves enough to disturb falling asleep at 23:00 in sensitive people.

The manufacturer permits a double serving before the most intense sessions. That takes the intake to 240 mg of caffeine in one go, which exceeds the 200 mg threshold EFSA identifies as a single dose of no concern in adults. It is not prohibited, but it should be kept for someone who knows their tolerance well, and never on a day when you have already had two coffees.

The most interesting use is the one the manufacturer puts first and that you would not expect: replacing the morning coffee. 120 mg is a little more than an espresso, with water and amino acids thrown in, and without the acidity of coffee on an empty stomach. For someone training in the late morning, it is a sequence that works well.

During a long session, dilute it further — 500 to 700 ml — and sip rather than downing it in one. The drink then serves as much for fluid intake as for amino acids, much as an electrolyte drink would.

Who is Energized Amino for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone looking for a training drink with a little energy, without the 300 mg of caffeine in a full pre-workout. It also suits those who want to cut out the morning coffee without cutting out the caffeine, and those who train early.

The manufacturer is explicit about the exclusions: the product is for healthy active adults only, not intended for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, and medical advice is needed if you are on treatment or under medical supervision. Under-18s should not consume it.

It is not for you if you are after a genuine amino acid intake: 2 g of BCAAs replaces neither a protein shake nor a properly dosed EAA. Nor is it for an evening session, or alongside a caffeinated pre-workout — the total would quickly go beyond what is reasonable.

What you should not expect from it: this is not a product that builds muscle. At these amounts, the effect on protein synthesis is negligible if your diet already provides enough protein. What it really provides is alertness, a bit of flavour in your water, and a ritual. That is useful in itself, but it is what you should be buying it for.

Energized Amino or a full pre-workout?

The difference comes down to one figure: 120 mg of caffeine here, against 200 to 350 mg in a pre-workout.

A full pre-workout combines a high dose of caffeine, beta-alanine at a proper dose, often 6 g of citrulline and sometimes creatine. It is the better choice for a heavy session where focus is the limiting factor, or for a morning workout after a short night. Its drawback is the flip side of its strength: at 300 mg, your margin for the rest of the day disappears, and sleep suffers if you train late.

Energized Amino plays a quieter tune. At 120 mg you stay in coffee territory, with the option of another serving in the afternoon without going past the guideline figures. It is the better choice for medium-volume sessions, for daily training, and for anyone who finds pre-workouts too aggressive. It is also, let us say it, a better hydration product than a pre-workout, because you drink it more readily over time.

If your goal is recovery rather than energy, the right section is elsewhere: a complete protein after the session will do more than either of these two drinks. The full comparison is in our sports nutrition section.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine is there per serving?

120 mg, from green tea and green coffee extracts. That is the equivalent of a generous espresso, so markedly less than a conventional pre-workout. A double serving takes the total to 240 mg, beyond the 200 mg threshold EFSA identifies for a single intake in adults.

Why does the protein line say 0 g?

Because free amino acids are not counted as protein in nutrition labelling, which is based on measuring the nitrogen in whole proteins. You are indeed consuming 5.5 g of amino acids, but they do not appear on that line. It is neither an error nor a deception.

Can it be taken in the evening?

No, unless you train very early in the evening. The manufacturer recommends avoiding any intake in the six hours before bed. For a late session, a stimulant-free product is the only coherent choice.

Is it a genuine BCAA?

Not in the sense dedicated products mean. 2 g of BCAAs per serving is two to three times less than a conventional BCAA. This is a caffeinated training drink that contains amino acids, not an amino acid supplement that contains caffeine. The distinction changes the use entirely.

Does the product contain creatine?

No, and the manufacturer says so. It is a coherent choice: creatine is taken every day, rest days included, whereas this product is designed for training days. If you take it, buy it separately and keep the daily dose going.

Why are there colourings in the formula?

For the colour that goes with the flavour, nothing more. Three of them — E129, E102 and E110 under European nomenclature — require a regulatory statement about activity and attention in children, which must appear on the label. If colour additives bother you, that is a legitimate basis for choosing, and colouring-free formulas do exist.

Can you drink two servings a day?

Yes, keeping at least four hours between them, as the manufacturer states. That takes the total to 240 mg of caffeine across the day, which stays under the 400 mg guideline — provided you also count the coffees, teas and soft drinks you have during the day.

Where can you buy Rule One Energized Amino?

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 find pre-workouts too harsh and BCAAs too bland: it wins on neither front, but it occupies the middle ground well. The rest of the pre-session range can be compared in our creatine-free pre-workout section.

What is Universal Nutrition Animal Pak 44?

Animal Pak is a multivitamin complex sold as pre-dosed sachets: the box holds 44 of them, and each sachet brings together 11 tablets to be taken in the same serving. It is an unusual format, dating from the 1980s and virtually unchanged since — Animal Pak is one of the oldest supplements still sold in gyms.

The sachet gathers, according to the manufacturer, more than 85 active nutrients: a complete vitamin complex (A, C, D, E and the B vitamins), minerals including zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium, amino acids, digestive enzymes, carnitine, the Spectra™ blend made up of 29 fruits, vegetables and plants, and AstraGin®.

The principle is that of a foundation: everything is assembled in advance, there is nothing to measure out in the morning. The product appears in our multivitamin and Universal Nutrition sections.

What does one Animal Pak sachet contain?

It has to be said plainly: the detailed nutritional values for this product do not appear in the data available to us. The manufacturer refers you to its official labelling. We will not reconstruct the milligrams or the % NRV figures on its behalf, and we will not repeat numbers found elsewhere that we cannot verify. That is the main limitation of this page, and it sits with the brand, not with us.

What that means for you in practice: you cannot compare Animal Pak with another multivitamin on the basis of doses, nor check whether a given nutrient reaches the threshold that would permit a claim, nor keep track of your totals if you already take other supplements. Read the label on the box when it arrives — that is what counts. If you want those figures before buying, ask us: we have the box on the shelf.

One useful detail, on the other hand, and it matters: the biotin in the formula can interfere with certain laboratory tests. If you are due to have a blood test, in particular a hormone or thyroid assay, tell your doctor and the laboratory about this supplement. This is not a trivial point: it is a known cause of distorted results.

How do you take Animal Pak?

Dose: 1 sachet, that is 11 tablets. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: at breakfast or with another meal; on a training day, about 30 minutes after the meal preceding the session. Frequency: 1 sachet a day; the manufacturer permits 2 sachets a day, morning and evening with meals, for athletes in competition or in intensive training. Duration: continuous use is possible, with no cycle or break required.

Two practical points. Eleven tablets in a single serving calls for a proper glass of water and a stomach that is not empty: fasted, many people cannot tolerate it. Spread them over five minutes rather than swallowing them all at once if this is your first box.

The manufacturer also recommends avoiding taking the sachet at the same time as a drink containing caffeine. If you take a pre-workout or a fat burner from the boosters section, leave an hour or two between them.

Who is Animal Pak for, and who is it not for?

The product is aimed at adults who train regularly and want a broad micronutrient foundation without having to assemble five separate bottles. The pre-dosed format is its real selling point: nothing to count, nothing to forget, 44 days of cover in one box.

The restrictions are explicit. Not to be used under the age of 18. Pregnant and breastfeeding women must consult a healthcare professional. Medical advice is mandatory if you are on any current treatment, particularly anticoagulants. The product contains MILK and SOYA and may contain traces of NUTS: these allergens are in the recipe, not merely in the factory. Store the box in a cool, dry place, out of the reach of children, and do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

What not to expect from it. First, an effect on performance: a multivitamin fills gaps in intake, it adds nothing to an already sound nutritional status. Second, a substitute for a diet: 85 nutrients in a sachet do not replace vegetables on a plate, and the Spectra™ blend of powdered fruit and vegetables is not the equivalent of the fruit and vegetables themselves. Finally, an answer to lasting fatigue — that calls for a blood panel and a doctor, not a sachet.

Animal Pak or a multivitamin with a fully disclosed formula?

That is the real trade-off, and it comes down to one word: transparency.

A multivitamin with a fully published formula — such as those in the Nutriting section — wins on three concrete points. You know exactly how many milligrams of each nutrient you are taking, which lets you check your totals against your other supplements. You can verify whether a nutrient reaches the 15% NRV threshold that permits European claims. And you can compare two products figure by figure before buying. On a supplement taken every day for years, that is not a specialist's quibble: it is the only way to know what you are doing.

Animal Pak keeps two genuine advantages. The first is breadth: more than 85 actives, including enzymes, amino acids and a plant blend that very few multivitamins offer. The second is the pre-dosed format, which settles the question of sticking to it better than any argument — one sachet, one glass of water, done. If you would rather target one or two nutrients than a complex, the zinc, magnesium and omega 3 sections let you build a routine to measure, often for less.

Frequently asked questions

Do you really have to swallow 11 tablets?

Yes, a full sachet is the serving the formula is designed around. Taking half a sachet halves every intake. With a large glass of water and a meal in your stomach, it goes down better than you might imagine; fasted, it is distinctly harder.

How long does a box of 44 sachets last?

Forty-four days at one sachet a day, that is a little over six weeks. At two sachets a day — the use the manufacturer reserves for athletes in intensive preparation — the box lasts twenty-two days.

Where can you find the exact doses?

On the official labelling of the box. They do not appear in the data the manufacturer has supplied to us, and we would rather say so than put forward values we have not verified. If you want those figures before ordering, contact us: we have the product on the shelf.

Can it be taken all year round?

The manufacturer presents it as a foundation supplement suitable for continuous use, with no cycle or break. That said, if you already take other supplements, review your totals once a year — above all for the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E, which accumulate.

Why avoid coffee at the time of taking it?

The manufacturer explicitly recommends it. In practice, leave one to two hours between the serving and your coffee, your tea or your pre-workout. The sachet is taken with a meal anyway, which generally settles the matter.

Does the product contain allergens?

Yes. It contains milk and soya, present in the recipe, and may contain traces of nuts. That is a real point to watch, more significant here than with many other supplements where those allergens are only factory traces.

Should you tell your doctor before a blood test?

Yes, and this is a genuine recommendation, not a formality. The biotin in the formula can distort certain laboratory assays, in particular thyroid and hormone ones. Mention that you are taking the product before any test, and ask whether you should stop it for a few days.

Where can you buy Animal Pak 44?

The 44-sachet box can be ordered on this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a historic product, still much in demand, and that is why we stock it — while stating honestly that its technical data sheet is less legible than those of more recent complexes.

In Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the box is on the shelf and the label can be read together: that is the best way to check the doses that interest you before buying. The rest of the section can be browsed from sports nutrition.

What is 5% Nutrition All Day You May?

All Day You May is a powdered amino acid drink, to be mixed with water, built around a BCAA complex of 6,000 mg per 12 g serving. It stands out for its 10:1:1 ratio, that is to say ten parts of leucine to one part of isoleucine and one of valine, where the market's historical standard is 2:1:1.

The product comes from 5% Nutrition, a brand whose formulas are recognisable by their length: here there are not three amino acids but seven families of ingredients, from the joint complex to the muscle buffer. The rest of the brand's catalogue is in our 5% Nutrition aisle.

The flavours listed: Push Pop, Blueberry Lemonade, Southern Sweet Tea, Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon and Mango Pineapple. The number of servings per tub is not published by the manufacturer in the information available to us; the net weight shown on the packaging you receive lets you work it out by dividing by 12.

What does a 12 g serving contain?

No nutrient reference value exists for free amino acids: a percentage column would make no sense here, and we will not invent one.

5 g of leucine per serving is considerable, and it is the product's real selling point. Leucine is the amino acid that triggers the protein synthesis signal, and the threshold generally accepted sits between 2.5 and 3 g. One serving delivers almost double that.

What that ratio implies does need saying, though, because nobody says it. Triggering the signal is not enough: you also need the bricks. The other six essential amino acids are present here only to the tune of 200 mg in total, which is a trace. Put another way, this product fires the starting gun for construction without delivering the materials. That is perfectly coherent if you use it around a meal or a protein shake that supplies the rest. It is far less so if you rely on it on an empty stomach, thinking it replaces a complete protein. In that case, a complete EAA is the right product, not this one.

The rest of the formula deserves reading line by line. The 1,500 mg of intramuscular buffer combine beta-alanine and creatinol-O-phosphate; it is the beta-alanine that explains the tingling in the face and forearms that many users feel within a quarter of an hour of taking it. It is harmless and it fades with habit. If that is the ingredient you want at a proper dose, our beta-alanine aisle offers it on its own.

The 600 mg of joint complex combine glucosamine and MSM, with no published split. That is well below the quantities used in the work on glucosamine, around 1,500 mg a day. It is a touch, not a treatment. The same remark applies to the 500 mg of N-acetyl-cysteine and to the glutamine, whose exact share of the 2,800 mg is not disclosed.

A regulatory clarification, which belongs here: none of these ingredients holds a health claim authorised in Europe. Not the BCAAs, not glutamine, not carnitine, not beta-alanine. We can describe the quantities and compare them with the market; we cannot attribute an effect to them, and legally nobody can.

Ingredients list

BCAA complex (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine), conditionally essential amino acid complex (L-glutamine, L-carnitine L-tartrate), support complex (L-taurine, coconut water concentrate, HICA [alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid], bromelain, blueberry fruit powder), intramuscular buffer (beta-alanine, creatinol-O-phosphate), joint complex (potassium D-glucosamine sulphate, MSM [methylsulfonylmethane]), N-acetyl-L-cysteine, essential amino acid complex (L-histidine, L-lysine, L-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-threonine, L-tryptophan), natural and artificial flavourings, citric acid, sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame potassium), colourings depending on the flavour. May contain traces of MILK, SOYA, EGG and GLUTEN depending on the flavour and the production conditions.

How do you take All Day You May?

Serving: one 12 g scoop. Liquid: 300 to 500 ml of cold water. Timing: 15 to 30 minutes before the session, or sipped during training, or between two meals. Frequency: one serving a day to begin with. Duration: the manufacturer sets no course length.

Start with a single daily serving for at least a week. The manufacturer allows up to four servings a day for the most highly trained athletes, but that is a ceiling, not a recommendation. At four servings you are swallowing 6 g of muscle buffer, 2 g of N-acetyl-cysteine and 2.4 g of joint complex over the day: those quantities deserve at the very least to be discussed with a healthcare professional before you go there.

The volume of water matters too. Below 300 ml the drink becomes very concentrated and acidic, and free amino acids irritate some people's stomachs. For a long session, go up to 700 or 800 ml and spread out your consumption.

A practical point: avoid taking it at the same time as a complete protein shake. It is not dangerous, simply redundant: the protein already supplies all the amino acids. The right slot is the one where you have nothing else: between two widely spaced meals, or during training.

Who is All Day You May for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone who trains fasted or a long way from their last meal and who is looking to limit catabolism over a long session. It also suits those who cannot tolerate a shake during exercise.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and restricts it to adults over 18. It also asks for the advice of a healthcare professional in the event of liver or kidney disease, which is consistent with a high daily load of free amino acids.

Two points of caution that the manufacturer does not highlight and that we prefer to put in writing. First, the glucosamine: it is of shellfish origin in the vast majority of cases, the source is not specified here, and that is information which matters to anyone allergic to crustaceans. It also calls for a doctor's advice in the event of diabetes or anticoagulant treatment. Second, the creatinol-O-phosphate: this is a synthetic molecule whose regulatory status as a food supplement ingredient in the European Union is not clearly established. We flag it because a buyer has the right to know before buying.

What you should not expect from it: it is not a protein substitute. One serving supplies 12 g of ingredients including 6 g of BCAAs, which replaces neither a chicken breast nor a shake. Nor is it a product that "builds muscle" by itself: if your daily protein intake is already adequate, the measurable benefit of additional BCAAs is small, and the literature is fairly harsh on this point. Finally, if you are subject to anti-doping testing, check the batch status with your federation before taking any.

All Day You May or a complete EAA?

This is the central trade-off in this category, and it is settled fairly clearly.

A complete EAA supplies the nine essential amino acids in proportions close to those of muscle, generally with 2.5 to 3 g of leucine per serving. It is the better choice if you take the product on an empty stomach, if you are not eating within the following two hours, or if your daily protein intake is low. It provides both the signal and the materials, which is the only way to obtain a real effect on protein synthesis.

All Day You May follows a different logic: plenty of leucine, very little of the rest, but a whole series of comfort ingredients around it — joint, buffer, antioxidant, hydration. It is the better choice if you use it as a training drink alongside meals that are already protein-rich, if the beta-alanine tingling does not bother you, and if you like long formulas. It is also, let us say it, a product of habit rather than one with demonstrated efficacy on a specific point.

If your need is simply to have something to drink during a long session, without chasing performance, an electrolyte drink costs less and does the job.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 10:1:1 ratio better than 2:1:1?

It supplies more leucine for the same total quantity, which is verifiable. But a ratio says nothing about overall effectiveness: protein synthesis requires the nine essential amino acids, not just the trigger. A 10:1:1 taken around a protein-rich meal makes sense; taken on its own, it does half the work.

Why do I get tingling after taking it?

That is the beta-alanine in the buffer complex. The sensation affects the face, the scalp and the forearms, appears within fifteen minutes and lasts half an hour. It is harmless, well documented, and fades with repeated servings. If it bothers you, split the serving in two.

How many servings a day at most?

The manufacturer sets the ceiling at four. That is a lot, and that ceiling is designed for athletes with a very high training volume. One serving a day covers the use of the vast majority of people, and two already amount to sustained use.

Can it be taken on rest days?

Yes, between two widely spaced meals. The benefit remains modest: on a day without training, what counts for recovery is total protein intake and sleep, not the distribution of free amino acids.

Does this product contain creatine?

No. The creatinol-O-phosphate in the buffer complex has a name that looks similar but it is not creatine and does not have the same effects. If you are looking for creatine, you need to buy it separately.

Is it suitable for vegetarians?

The glucosamine in the joint complex is most often of shellfish origin, and the manufacturer does not specify the source in the information available to us. Without that detail, we cannot state that the product is suitable for a vegetarian diet. The label on the tub you receive is the only reliable reference.

Can it be mixed with a pre-workout?

Technically yes, but look at the labels first. Many pre-workouts already contain beta-alanine, taurine and tyrosine: the totals add up quickly, with no extra benefit. The one ingredient there is no point in doubling up is precisely the muscle buffer.

Where can you buy 5% Nutrition All Day You May?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the first question we ask in front of this tub is "how much protein do you eat a day?" — because the answer determines whether this product is going to bring you something or simply add to an already full list. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Now Foods Zinc Glycinate?

Now Foods Zinc Glycinate is a zinc supplement in softgel form, sold in a bottle of 120 softgels. The mineral is supplied as glycinate — a salt in which zinc is chelated to glycine, an amino acid. It is the best-tolerated form where digestion is concerned, far ahead of the oxide or the sulphate, and it is the whole point of this product.

Its second distinguishing feature is the carrier. The zinc is not dry-compressed into a capsule but suspended in 250 mg of pumpkin seed oil, inside a softgel. This oil is not an active ingredient in the regulatory sense — we will come back to that — but it explains the product's texture and the way it should be taken.

The formula runs to just a few lines: zinc glycinate, pumpkin seed oil, bovine gelatine for the shell, glycerine, water, carob, beeswax and soya lecithin. The American manufacturer states that production is non-GMO. The rest of the range can be found in the Now Foods section.

What does one softgel contain?

The bottle holds 120 softgels, which is four months at one softgel a day.

30 mg of zinc is a high dose, and that should be stated plainly rather than sold as a benefit. The nutrient reference value is 10 mg: you are at 300%. More to the point, EFSA sets 25 mg a day as the upper safe limit for adults, from all sources combined. A single softgel of this product therefore exceeds that limit on its own, before you even count the zinc in your diet. This is a formula designed for the American market, where the ceilings are not the same as in Europe. It is not a dangerous product, it is a product that should not be taken blindly or long-term without a reason — and certainly not on top of a multivitamin that already contains some.

That said, zinc is a mineral with numerous and firmly established claims. We can state, using the exact wording of the European regulation, that zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system, to normal protein synthesis, to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood, to the maintenance of normal hair, nails and skin, to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and to normal fertility and reproduction. Few minerals cover as much ground.

The 250 mg of pumpkin seed oil, on the other hand, carries no health claim authorised in Europe. You will therefore read no promises about it here. Its documented role is that of a fat-soluble excipient: it acts as the carrier inside the softgel.

How should Zinc Glycinate be taken?

Dose: 1 softgel a day. Liquid: a glass of water. Timing: with a meal, preferably dinner. Frequency: 1 serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer advises a course of 2 to 3 months, which may be repeated.

Never take it on an empty stomach. Zinc is the mineral most likely to cause nausea when the stomach is empty, and 30 mg in one go is a good illustration of this: the sensation comes on within half an hour and it is decidedly unpleasant. A meal, even a light one, solves the problem.

Dinner is the most practical slot, for a simple reason of organisation rather than physiology: it is the meal at which people take the fewest other supplements. That matters because zinc competes for absorption with several minerals. Leave at least two hours between it and any iron, calcium or magnesium. That is the rule that counts most in this paragraph, and the one most often forgotten.

On duration: a two to three month course, then a break. Zinc has no perceptible day-to-day effect, and the idea of taking 30 mg continuously all year round is far from trivial — prolonged high-dose supplementation can interfere with copper absorption. If your situation warrants a permanent intake, that is a question for a doctor, backed up by a blood test.

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

It is intended for adults, and its dosage points it towards specific situations: a documented deficiency, a diet low in animal products, or a period of prolonged calorie deficit in an athlete. Outside those cases, a more modest dose is amply sufficient.

The softgel shell is made of bovine gelatine. This product is therefore suitable neither for vegetarians nor for vegans — which is a genuine irony, since diets without animal products are precisely the ones most often short of zinc. The beeswax rules it out of a strict vegan diet as well.

It contains SOYA in the form of lecithin, and traces of WHEAT, GLUTEN, MILK, EGG, FISH and CRUSTACEANS are possible. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women without medical advice and recommends consulting a healthcare professional if you are on any treatment or have a health condition.

It is not suitable if you are already taking a multivitamin, a ZMA or any other supplement containing zinc: the combined total would take you well beyond anything useful. Nor is it suitable if you have no particular reason to supplement — 30 mg a day in someone whose diet already meets their needs brings nothing and is not without consequences in the long run.

What not to expect from it: this is not a testosterone booster. The authorised claim says that zinc “contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood” — maintaining a normal level is not raising it, and the distinction is not merely rhetorical. Nor is it an acne treatment or a performance product.

Zinc on its own or a multivitamin?

The question is worth asking in that order, because most zinc buyers already have a multivitamin in the cupboard without giving it a thought.

A multivitamin is the better choice if your concern is a general one: an irregular diet, skipped meals, uncertainty about your overall micronutrient coverage. It generally supplies 10 to 15 mg of zinc, a sensible baseline dose, alongside the vitamins and the other minerals. In that case you have no reason to add this product: you would double the zinc without gaining anything else.

Zinc on its own is the better choice in the opposite situation: you know why you are taking it, you want to control that one line precisely, and you do not want to swallow anything else. That covers a vegan diet, a deficiency confirmed by a blood test, or a short period of increased need. The glycinate then has a real argument in its favour: it goes down better than the other forms, and with a mineral known for causing nausea, that is no small detail. One last pointer: if zinc interests you for evening sports use, look instead at ZMA products, which combine it with magnesium and vitamin B6 at more measured doses.

Frequently asked questions

Is 30 mg of zinc a day too much?

It is above the safe limit of 25 mg a day set by EFSA for adults, from all sources combined. One softgel a day taken on an occasional basis, during a two to three month course, remains common practice; a permanent intake at that level, on top of other supplements, does not. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Is the product suitable for vegetarians?

No. The softgel shell is made of bovine gelatine, and the formula also contains beeswax. That is all the more unfortunate given that vegetarian and vegan diets are among those most often short of zinc. Check this point before ordering.

What is the pumpkin seed oil for?

It serves as a fat-soluble carrier inside the softgel: it is the medium in which the zinc glycinate is suspended. As no health claim is authorised in Europe for this oil, we will not attribute any to it, whatever assertions you may read elsewhere.

Why should it not be taken with iron or calcium?

Because those minerals use the same intestinal transporters and get in each other's way. The manufacturer recommends leaving two hours between servings. In practice: iron at breakfast, zinc at dinner. It is the simplest rule, and it is enough.

How long does the bottle of 120 softgels last?

Four months at one softgel a day, which is longer than the two to three month course advised by the manufacturer. In other words, one bottle covers a full course and you will have some left over. Store it out of the reach of children, in a dry place away from light.

Is glycinate better absorbed than zinc oxide?

Above all it is better tolerated: chelation to glycine limits gastric irritation, and that is a real benefit you can verify day to day. On absorption itself, we will not repeat any numerical multiplier: those comparisons circulate widely and are validated by no health authority.

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

Yes, there is no known interaction between zinc and a protein powder or creatine. The only thing to watch is other sources of zinc: multivitamins, ZMA, immunity complexes. Add up the milligrams before drawing any conclusion, keeping the limit of 25 mg a day in mind.

Where can you buy Now Foods Zinc Glycinate?

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

Zinc is one of the few supplements for which we sometimes advise against buying over the counter at our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier. Not because the product is poor — it is well formulated — but because at 30 mg the question “are you already taking some elsewhere?” needs to be asked beforehand, not afterwards. The rest of our everyday supplements can be found in the sports nutrition section.

What is Sinob Core Cluster Dextrine 1 kg?

Sinob Core Cluster Dextrine is a carbohydrate powder to be mixed with liquid, with no flavouring, no sweetener and no colouring. Per 100 g it provides 97.5 g of carbohydrate and 390 kcal; a 50 g serving represents 48.75 g of carbohydrate for 195 kcal. The one-kilogram tub covers 20 servings.

The raw material is a highly branched cyclic dextrin, sold under the name Cluster Dextrin®. It is obtained by an enzymatic cyclisation reaction applied to maize starch, a process that preserves the branched structure of amylopectin while producing very large molecules.

The figure that really sets this product apart from an ordinary maltodextrin is its molecular weight: around 400,000 g/mol, against 400 to 2,000 g/mol for a standard maltodextrin. That sounds abstract, but the consequence is very concrete and we come back to it below. The rest of the German range can be browsed in our Sinob aisle, and the other products in the category in our cyclic dextrin aisle.

What is in a serving of Cluster Dextrine?

Let us come back to the molecular weight, because it is the central argument for this product and it is rarely explained well. A very large molecule takes up little “osmotic space” in the stomach: the osmotic pressure of this powder is stated at between 59 and 160 mOsm, which is very low. In practice, that means a concentrated drink leaves the stomach without drawing water into it or causing the bloated feeling that very sweet drinks produce. That is the real benefit of this raw material, and it is a digestive one.

The trade-off is the price: cyclic dextrin is markedly more expensive per kilo than a maltodextrin or a waxy maize. You are paying for digestive comfort, not for extra fuel. A gram of carbohydrate is still a gram of carbohydrate, wherever it comes from.

The powder is neutral in taste and dissolves completely, cold or warm, in fifteen to twenty seconds. That is a real advantage on long efforts, where a drink that is too sweet ends up becoming sickly and stops being drunk — and a drink you do not drink is of no use at all.

Worth knowing: this powder provides no sodium, the salt line being under 0.01 g per 100 g. It is therefore not a complete sports drink. On a long ride or in hot weather, plan for separate electrolytes.

Missing from the manufacturer's file: the “of which sugars” line, although mandatory in a nutrition table, is not disclosed. We will not estimate it; it appears on the packaging you receive.

Ingredient list

Maltodextrin (100%), from the patented Cluster Dextrin® raw material — a highly branched cyclic dextrin obtained by enzymatic processing of maize starch.

No allergen declared in the formulation. Naturally gluten free. Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. The manufacturer does not specify any possible traces from the production facility.

How do you take Cluster Dextrine?

Serving: 50 g, that is about four tablespoons. Liquid: 300 ml of cold or lukewarm water. Timing: 30 to 60 minutes before exercise, during efforts lasting more than 90 minutes, or immediately after the session. Frequency: according to your sessions, with no daily intake required. Duration: no course to complete, this is a product for occasional use.

Shake vigorously for fifteen to twenty seconds: the solution becomes perfectly clear, with no sediment at the bottom of the shaker. That is a good indicator of complete dissolution, and one of the rare cases where you can see with the naked eye that the product has mixed.

We have to be straight about one point in the manufacturer's protocol. For endurance sports, it mentions 100 to 150 g of carbohydrate per hour of exercise. That is a lot, and we will not endorse it. Beyond roughly 60 g per hour from a single carbohydrate source, the body no longer oxidises the surplus and the excess stays in the digestive tract: that is the recipe for gastric trouble in a race. The protocols that go higher combine several sugars using different transporters, which is not the case here. Stay in the 40 to 60 g per hour range and you will already be well served.

For a weight training session, 50 g before or after is more than enough. For an effort of more than 90 minutes, the manufacturer suggests 15 to 30 g every 45 minutes, which is sensible. In recovery, the classic carbohydrate plus protein combination applies here as elsewhere: one serving with a scoop of protein, within the hour after the session.

Since the powder is neutral, it mixes without difficulty with EAAs, with a flavoured drink or with a pre-workout.

Who is Cluster Dextrine for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed first at endurance athletes and at those who have already run into digestive problems with a carbohydrate drink. That is exactly the profile this raw material was developed for, and it is the only case in which the extra cost is clearly justified.

It is not suitable if your goal is weight loss. One serving represents 195 kcal, the equivalent of a generous slice of bread with a little butter, in liquid form and with no satiating effect. In a period of deficit, that is exactly the sort of thing you should avoid adding out of habit.

Nor is it of much interest in an hour-long weight training session for someone who eats normally: your glycogen stores comfortably cover that effort. People with diabetes or with a blood sugar regulation disorder should seek their doctor's advice before using a carbohydrate powder.

What not to expect from it. This is not a performance product with an immediate effect: you will not be stronger after drinking it. Nor is it a complete isotonic drink, for want of sodium. And the digestive comfort it delivers, real though it is, does not replace sensible dosing: drinking 120 g of any carbohydrate in an hour of racing will end badly, whatever the molecule.

Cluster dextrin or maltodextrin?

This is the comparison that decides the purchase, and it comes down to a question of budget against comfort.

Conventional maltodextrin does the same job in energy terms: it is a glucose polymer, with a high glycaemic index, that reloads glycogen just as effectively. It costs two to three times less per kilo. If you use it in recovery, after the session, at home, with no particular digestive constraint, there is no objective reason to pay more: our maltodextrin aisle is the rational choice.

Cyclic dextrin makes sense when digestion is the limiting factor: during exercise, at high concentration, on long rides, or simply when your stomach has already let you down once in a race. There, the difference in molecular weight and osmotic pressure translates into something you can feel, and the extra cost becomes an investment rather than an expense.

That leaves a third route, in between on price as on comfort: waxy maize, a waxy maize amylopectin. To sum up plainly: maltodextrin for recovery at home, waxy maize for a good compromise, cluster dextrin if you drink during exercise and your stomach is difficult. If your goal is extra calories, our mass gainer aisle offers formulas that are already complete.

Frequently asked questions

How much carbohydrate is in a serving?

48.75 g of carbohydrate for 195 kcal, in a 50 g serving. The powder contains 97.5 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, which makes it an almost pure source: less than 0.1 g of protein, of fat and of fibre, and practically no salt.

What does the high molecular weight bring?

Around 400,000 g/mol against 400 to 2,000 for a standard maltodextrin, with a very low osmotic pressure stated at between 59 and 160 mOsm. In practice: a concentrated drink that leaves the stomach without causing the heaviness of sugary drinks. That is a digestive benefit, not an energy one.

How much carbohydrate per hour on a long effort?

The manufacturer mentions 100 to 150 g per hour in endurance. We do not endorse that figure: beyond roughly 60 g per hour from a single source, the excess is no longer oxidised and stays in the digestive tract. Keep to between 40 and 60 g per hour.

Should you add electrolytes?

Yes, as soon as the effort lasts and you are sweating. The salt line in the table is under 0.01 g per 100 g: this powder provides fuel, not minerals. Add an electrolyte product or a pinch of salt to the bottle.

Does it really dissolve without lumps?

Yes, cold or warm, in fifteen to twenty seconds of shaking. The solution turns clear, which is a useful visual marker. It is one of the points most consistently praised about this raw material, and you can check it from the very first shaker.

How many servings are in the one-kilo tub?

20 servings of 50 g. If you use it only during long efforts, at a rate of two rides a week, one tub therefore covers about two months. In weight training with one serving before and one after the session, it goes much faster.

Is this powder suitable for vegans?

Yes. It comes from maize starch processed enzymatically, with no raw material of animal origin, and the manufacturer states that it is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. It is also naturally gluten free.

Where can you buy Sinob Core Cluster Dextrine?

The one-kilogram tub 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 keep for cyclists and trail runners: for a simple top-up after a weight training session, we steer people towards a maltodextrin, which does the same job for far less. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition selection.

What is IO Genix Original Pancake?

IO Genix Original Pancake is a powdered mix for protein pancakes. A 33 g serving provides 12.2 g of protein for 121 kcal, with just 1.5 g of sugars. The powder is mixed with 70 ml of water and cooked for two to three minutes on each side. Several versions exist, one plain vanilla, the other chocolate.

The base of the recipe is oat flour, to which the manufacturer has added three different protein sources: ovalbumin, in other words egg white protein, a whey protein concentrate and micellar casein. This trio is no accident: the three proteins are not digested at the same rate, and above all they do not behave in the same way when cooked.

That is precisely what sets a good pancake mix apart from whey simply stirred into a batter: ovalbumin coagulates and provides the structure, exactly as an egg would in a conventional recipe, whereas whey on its own produces a dry, rubbery disc. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix aisle, and the other products in the category in our protein pancakes aisle.

What does a serving of Original Pancake contain?

The per 100 g column is calculated from the per serving values published by the manufacturer.

37% protein in the powder is the figure that changes everything. A standard supermarket pancake mix sits at around 8 to 10 g of protein per 100 g. Here you are four times higher, and the protein content of the serving — 12.2 g — accounts for roughly 40% of its total energy. That level qualifies the product for the high protein claim under European regulation, and it permits the only valid wording on the subject: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass.

The sugar line is the other pleasant surprise. 1.5 g per serving, or 4.5 g per 100 g, which places the product below the European threshold for the low in sugars claim. The flavour comes from cocoa, flavouring and sucralose, not from a load of sugar. Compare that with a ready-made supermarket pancake batter: the difference runs to several tens of grams of sugars per 100 g.

A word on what the serving actually amounts to. 33 g of powder makes a modestly sized pancake: this is a snack, not a full breakfast. For a proper meal, count on two servings, that is 66 g of powder, 24.4 g of protein and 242 kcal — which remains reasonable.

Data missing from the manufacturer's file: the net weight of the pouch and the number of servings it contains are not disclosed. We will not infer them. They appear on the packaging you receive.

Ingredients list

Oat flour (GLUTEN), ovalbumin (EGG), Lactomin whey protein concentrate (MILK), micellar casein (MILK), fructose, cocoa powder, flavouring, maltodextrin, sweetener (sucralose).

Contains GLUTEN, EGG and MILK. May contain traces of WHEAT, FISH and SOYA. The composition varies by version: the cocoa applies only to the chocolate variant. Check the label on the pouch you receive.

How do you make Original Pancake?

Dose: 33 g of powder per serving. Liquid: 70 ml of water, or a plant-based drink for extra creaminess. Cooking: 2 to 3 minutes on each side, over a medium heat, in a non-stick pan. When: breakfast, post-workout snack, or dessert. Frequency: one serving a day according to the manufacturer.

The 33 g to 70 ml ratio is tighter than it looks, and that is deliberate. A batter that is too runny spreads out, burns at the edges and stays raw in the middle: that is mistake number one with this type of mix. First blend the powder and the liquid until you have a smooth, lump-free batter, then let it rest for a minute before pouring.

The medium heat is not negotiable. A protein batter browns far faster than a conventional pancake batter, because the proteins react with the sugars as it cooks. Over a high heat you end up with a pancake that is black outside and raw inside in less than a minute. Two to three minutes per side over a medium heat, and the result is consistent.

The pan should be non-stick and barely greased. A cooking spray is more than enough and avoids adding ten grams of fat to a recipe that contains only 1.2 g.

Eat the pancake within half an hour of cooking: it dries out faster than a conventional pancake as it cools. For a topping, a zero sauce, a zero jam or a spoonful of peanut butter transforms the snack without blowing up the totals.

Who is Original Pancake for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone who wants a protein breakfast or snack that is eaten rather than drunk — and that matters, since shaker fatigue is the leading reason people abandon a nutrition plan. It also suits people in a calorie deficit who want to keep a moment of pleasure without compromising their day.

It is not suitable for people allergic to egg, to milk proteins or sensitive to gluten, and the manufacturer says so plainly. These three allergens are main ingredients, not traces: ovalbumin, whey and casein on one side, oat flour on the other. Nor, therefore, is it suitable for vegans.

The product may contain traces of wheat, fish and soya. The manufacturer points out that it must be eaten cooked — the raw batter contains ovalbumin and flour, and is not to be eaten as it is.

What not to expect from it: this is not a protein powder. 12.2 g per serving is half a standard shake, and this product does not replace one if your goal is a high protein intake. Nor is it a slimming product: 121 kcal a serving are still calories, simply better distributed than elsewhere.

Finally, a 33 g serving remains modest. If you are expecting a filling breakfast, you need two, and it is better to know that before ordering.

Pancake mix or whey in a homemade batter?

Plenty of lifters make their own batter: oat flour, whey, an egg. That is perfectly valid, and we should be honest about what the ready-made mix adds.

The homemade blend costs less per gram and lets you adjust everything. Its shortcoming is a constant one: whey on its own stands up poorly to cooking and gives a dry, elastic texture. Adding a whole egg fixes the problem but weighs the recipe down and makes the dosing hit-and-miss from one time to the next.

The ready-made mix solves exactly that point, and it is its only real argument: the ovalbumin plays the structuring role of the egg, the casein brings softness, and the result is identical every time you cook. You are paying for consistency and time saved, not for a miracle ingredient.

If you prefer the homemade version, our oat flour aisle offers the base and our protein aisle the protein part. And if all you need is a snack to take with you, protein snacks save you the frying pan.

Frequently asked questions

How much protein is in a serving?

12.2 g for 33 g of powder, that is 37% of the mix and roughly 40% of its energy content. That level qualifies the product for the “high protein” claim under European regulation, and it puts it well above an ordinary pancake mix.

Can water be replaced with milk?

Yes, and the manufacturer suggests it with a plant-based drink for extra creaminess. Do count the calories and protein of the liquid on top. Milk gives a richer batter and a softer pancake; water remains the lightest choice.

Why cook over a medium heat?

Because a protein batter browns far faster than a conventional one: the proteins react with the sugars as soon as the temperature rises. Over a high heat, the pancake blackens before it is cooked through. Two to three minutes per side over a medium heat give a consistent result.

Does this product contain gluten?

Yes, the product's oat flour is declared as containing gluten. It is therefore not suitable for coeliacs or strict intolerants. This is not a trace warning but a main ingredient.

Is it suitable for vegetarians?

Yes for vegetarians: the proteins come from egg and milk, with no meat-derived ingredient. It is not, however, suitable for vegans, for the same reason. A plant protein based mix would then be the right choice.

How many servings per pouch?

The manufacturer publishes neither the net weight nor the number of servings, and we will not invent them. The information appears on the packaging you receive. For your calculations, bear in mind that one serving is 33 g of powder.

Can the batter be made in advance?

It is not advisable. The proteins begin to alter the texture of the batter over a long rest, and the cooked result becomes inconsistent. A minute's rest is enough and improves the texture; a night in the fridge, no.

Where to buy IO Genix Original Pancake?

The versions can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, around ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we offer to those who tell us they can no longer face shakes: chewing your protein intake does more for sticking to a nutrition plan than any formula. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Rule One PUMP?

Rule One PUMP is a caffeine-free pre-workout powder, built around a single objective: the muscle pump. It contains no stimulant — no caffeine, no yohimbine, no synephrine — so it is not trying to wake you up. It works on circulation and cell hydration, not on the nervous system.

The formula is fully transparent: every active is listed with its quantity, with no proprietary blend hiding the doses behind an overall total. That is still rare enough in this category to be worth pointing out, and it is the first thing to look at on a pre-workout. Rule One is an American brand whose other products are in our Rule One section.

The flavour offered here is Blue Razz Lemonade. One useful detail: the manufacturer's documents mention an unflavoured version, with no flavouring or sweetener, meant to be added to another product. It is not stocked by us at present — only the flavoured version appears on this page.

What does a serving of Rule One PUMP contain?

Here are the actives declared per scoop, in decreasing order of quantity.

Two pieces of information are missing from what the manufacturer publishes, and we are not going to invent them: the exact weight of the scoop in grams, the number of servings per tub, along with the energy and macronutrient values. The label on the tub you receive is the reference on those points.

3 g of citrulline is a straight dose. Plenty of pre-workouts put citrulline at the top of the list and then include 1 g of it, which achieves very little. Here the quantity matches what is actually used in the performance literature. Note that this is pure citrulline and not citrulline malate: for the same stated quantity, pure citrulline delivers more citrulline, since malate accounts for around 40% of the weight in a 2:1 ratio. If you are comparing with another product, compare like with like — our citrulline section lets you do the maths.

The 2 g of taurine plays a different role: taurine takes part in the osmotic balance of the muscle cell, in other words in how much water it holds. That is the second lever behind the feeling of a pump, and it is also what separates a formula designed for volume from a formula designed for energy. The taurine section offers it on its own for anyone who wants to add it to another base.

Nitrosigine® supplies arginine in a form complexed with inositol and silicon. A word of honesty: 500 mg of an arginine complex is not 500 mg of arginine, and the manufacturer does not publish the exact share. If it is arginine at a straight dose that interests you, take a look at our L-arginine section instead.

Finally, a regulatory point that belongs here and nowhere else on the page: none of these ingredients holds a health claim authorised in Europe. Not citrulline, not arginine, not the plant extracts in the S7 complex. We can describe what they are and what the doses are worth compared with the market; we cannot attribute a health effect to them, and legally nobody can.

Ingredients list

L-citrulline, taurine, Nitrosigine® (inositol-arginine silicate), natural and artificial flavourings, citric acid, S7™ (green tea extract, turmeric extract, garlic extract, blueberry extract, broccoli extract, tart cherry extract, kale extract), whole grape extract, pine bark extract, astragalus extract, panax ginseng extract, AstraGin® (astragalus root extract, panax notoginseng root extract), sweetener (sucralose), food colouring. Made in a facility that handles MILK, EGG, SOYA, WHEAT, PEANUTS, NUTS, FISH and CRUSTACEANS.

How do you take Rule One PUMP?

Serving: one scoop. Liquid: 240 to 350 ml of cold water. Timing: 15 to 20 minutes before the session. Frequency: one serving on each training day, not on rest days. Duration: the manufacturer gives no course length; use follows your training calendar.

For a first tub, start with half a scoop. This is not caution for its own sake: a full dose of citrulline causes digestive discomfort in a minority of users, and it is better to find that out with 1.5 g than with 3 g just before a leg session.

The volume of water matters more than you would think. Below 240 ml the drink is concentrated, sharper on the palate, and the desired effect — drawing water into the muscle — has less raw material to work with. If you train in a hot gym, go up to 400 or 500 ml without hesitation.

There are two ways to use it. On its own, it is a late-session pre-workout: no stimulant, so no impact on falling asleep, which makes it one of the few products in this category you can use at 21:00. As an add-on, a scoop goes into your usual pre-workout to reinforce the pump side without adding a single milligram to the total caffeine. That is the most common use among our customers who train in the morning.

Who is Rule One PUMP for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone who trains in the evening and does not want to sacrifice their sleep, anyone already at saturation point with caffeine during the day, and anyone looking for the sensation of a pump rather than a kick. It also suits those who build their own pre-workout by stacking separately dosed components.

The product is for adults only. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and calls for advice from a healthcare professional if you have a condition or are on medication — the question is worth asking if you take anything acting on blood pressure, since the mechanisms involved concern vascular tone.

It is not for you if you are looking for energy: with no caffeine, it wakes nobody up. A lot of disappointed feedback comes from that, from a purchase made without reading the label. Nor is it for people allergic to the major allergens, since production is shared with milk, egg, soya, wheat, peanuts, nuts, fish and crustaceans.

What you should not expect from it: the pump is a transient phenomenon, not progress. It makes the session more enjoyable and the mirror more flattering for an hour; it does not build muscle by itself. If your training and your diet do not follow, no product in this category will make up for it. And if you feel nothing, that is not abnormal: the response to citrulline varies a great deal from one person to another.

Rule One PUMP or a pre-workout with caffeine?

That is the real trade-off, and it depends on what time you train.

A conventional pre-workout combines caffeine, beta-alanine and often citrulline. It acts on alertness, perceived pain and aggression under the bar. It is the better choice for a morning session, for heavy training where focus is the limiting factor, or when you are tired and the session risks being rushed. Its downside is mechanical: caffeine has a half-life of five to six hours, which writes off part of your sleep when you train after 18:00.

Rule One PUMP does not do that job and does not claim to. Its ground is the end-of-day session, the volume session where you are chasing sensation rather than heavy loads, and the period when you want a break from stimulants without losing the habit of the pre-session ritual. It also has the advantage of stacking: nothing stops you adding it to a pre-workout on days when you want both.

If you are still hesitating, there is a third family: creatine-free pre-workouts, for those who already take their creatine separately and do not want to see it come back in the pre-workout.

Frequently asked questions

Does Rule One PUMP contain caffeine?

No, none at all. That is the whole point of it: the entire formula is built without stimulants, which means you can use it in the evening with no consequences for falling asleep. It is also why you do not “feel” anything come on within ten minutes, unlike a caffeinated pre-workout.

Can you mix it with your usual pre-workout?

Yes, and it is a common use. A scoop added to your pre-workout reinforces the pump side without adding caffeine. Just check that your pre-workout does not already contain 6 g of citrulline, in which case the total would go beyond what is of any use.

How long before training should you take it?

15 to 20 minutes. That is shorter than for a caffeinated pre-workout, which needs more like 30 to 45 minutes. Citrulline acts quickly, and waiting an hour tends to lose the benefit rather than reinforce it.

What is the difference between citrulline and citrulline malate?

Citrulline malate is citrulline bound to malic acid. In a 2:1 ratio, around 60% of the stated weight is citrulline and the rest is malate. The 3 g of pure citrulline in this product therefore equates to around 5 g of citrulline malate. That is the calculation to do before comparing two labels.

Does the product cause water retention?

It draws water into the muscle cell, which is the desired effect, and not under the skin, which would be the unwanted one. The difference comes down to sodium and not to the actives in this formula. In practice, you should not see your weight climb or your face puff up.

Can you take it on rest days?

There is no point. Unlike creatine, whose benefit depends on muscle saturation built up over time, the actives in this product act when you take them and no further. A tub therefore lasts longer than you might think.

Does S7 really do anything?

There is no way to say so. 50 mg of a blend of seven plant extracts amounts to a few milligrams of each, and the manufacturer does not publish the breakdown. It is a patented ingredient with a proprietary dossier, not an active dosed at the level you would find in a study. The two ingredients that genuinely carry this formula remain citrulline and taurine.

Where can you buy Rule One PUMP?

It 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 reach for when someone comes in and tells us they have not been sleeping since they went back to the gym in the evening: nine times out of ten the cause is in their pre-workout, and switching to a stimulant-free formula sorts it out within a week. The rest of the pre-workout section can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is Sinob Collagen Flex & Glow?

Sinob Collagen Flex & Glow is a neutral-tasting collagen peptide powder, dosed at 12 g of peptides per 15 g serving. The 300 g tub contains 20 servings.

Its distinctive feature lies in how those 12 g are split between three different patented peptides: 40% Tendoforte®, 40% Fortigel® and 20% Verisol®, i.e. 4.8 g, 4.8 g and 2.4 g per serving respectively. These three names do not denote three collagens of different kinds: they are bovine hydrolysates cut to distinct peptide profiles, each produced by a process specific to the raw-material manufacturer. It is the only product in the category to state a split by figures across three patents, and that is what sets it apart.

Around these peptides, the formula adds hyaluronic acid, silicon-rich bamboo leaf extract, zinc bisglycinate, biotin and copper gluconate. The rest of the German range is listed in our Sinob category.

What does a 15 g serving contain?

The manufacturer publishes neither the energy values nor the macronutrients of its product in the information available to us. We will not recalculate them.

12 g of peptides per serving is a serious dose and it is the first thing to check on a collagen. The published protocols use amounts between 2.5 g and 10 g depending on the type of peptide targeted, and many products on the market stop at 5 g per serving, banking on the name of the patent rather than on the quantity. Here the dose is straightforward and the split is stated, which lets you know exactly what you are taking.

We do, however, need to be clear about what the law allows us to write. No health claim is authorised in Europe for collagen, in any form whatsoever: not for joints, not for tendons, not for skin, not for hair. That is true of Tendoforte®, Fortigel® and Verisol® just as it is of any generic hydrolysate. The dossiers submitted were not approved by EFSA. So we can tell you what the powder contains and at what dose; we cannot promise you anything, and a seller who does so is operating outside the legal framework.

Claims do exist, on the other hand, for three of the micronutrients in the formula. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails, copper contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissues, and biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and normal skin. The problem is that those three are not quantified in the published information: with no declared amount, none of these claims can be made for this particular product. That is the genuine weak point of this reference, and it is easy to put right — the manufacturer would simply have to publish its figures.

The same applies to the hyaluronic acid and the bamboo extract, whose amounts are not disclosed and for which no claim exists in any case.

List of ingredients

Bovine collagen hydrolysate (patented blend: Tendoforte® 40%, Fortigel® 40%, Verisol® 20%), hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), silicon-rich bamboo leaf extract, zinc bisglycinate, D-biotin, copper gluconate. Gluten-free, lactose-free, no artificial colouring, no preservatives. The manufacturer notes that traces are possible depending on the origin of the collagen.

How should Collagen Flex & Glow be taken?

Dose: 15 g, roughly one scoop. Liquid: 300 ml of water, juice, smoothie or a hot drink. Timing: in the morning on an empty stomach, or after training. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer recommends 8 to 12 weeks minimum, with continued use thereafter.

Solubility is the product's strong point: the collagen peptides dissolve in hot and cold liquids alike, without lumps and without taste. You can therefore add it to a coffee, a soup, a yoghurt or a cake batter without changing the recipe at all. That is a real advantage over a three-month course, because it is what stops you forgetting.

Duration is by far the most important parameter. With this type of product, the published protocols run over 8 to 12 weeks minimum, and nothing can be judged in two weeks. The 20-serving tub only covers twenty days: you need three to four tubs to see a first course through, and that is worth knowing before you buy the first one.

The manufacturer advises pairing each serving with a source of vitamin C. The reason is a real one: vitamin C is the essential cofactor for the body's own collagen synthesis, and it is the only ingredient in this story to have an authorised claim — it contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones and cartilage. A glass of orange juice or a tablet at the same time costs little and makes sense.

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

It suits an adult ready to commit over several months, who prefers a neutral powder to multiple capsules, and who wants to know the exact split of what they are buying rather than a single overall total.

It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans: the hydrolysate is of bovine origin, and plant-based collagen does not exist — the products that claim to be so provide synthesis cofactors, not collagen. Nor is it suitable for people allergic to bovine products, and the manufacturer notes that traces are possible depending on the origin of the raw material.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, asks for medical advice in the case of clotting disorders, and notes possible interactions with certain medicines. These warnings should be taken seriously, particularly the second if you are on anticoagulant treatment.

What you should not expect from it: it is not a treatment for osteoarthritis, it is not a skincare product, and it will have no visible effect in three weeks. Nor is it a useful protein source for building muscle — collagen is an incomplete protein, very low in tryptophan, and the 12 g it provides are not worth 12 g of protein powder for that purpose. Any question about established joint pain is a matter for your doctor, not for a tub of powder.

Collagen or a glucosamine joint complex?

This is the most common trade-off in this category, and the two products are not aiming at the same thing.

A complex based on glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM provides components of the cartilage itself, at doses of the order of a gram, in tablets to be taken daily. It is the better choice if your concern is strictly about joints, if you prefer tablets to a powder, and if you are not allergic to shellfish — glucosamine is most often derived from it. It requires medical advice in the case of diabetes or anticoagulant treatment.

Collagen has a broader reach: tendons, ligaments, skin, nails. It is the better choice if what you are looking for goes beyond joints alone, if you are allergic to shellfish, or if you prefer a neutral powder to add to your morning coffee. Its drawback is bulk: 15 g a day is a dose no tablet can deliver, and it means a daily routine.

On the regulatory side, neither of the two has an authorised claim in Europe. On that basis, the only objective selection criteria left are the stated dosage, the published split and your ability to see the course through. The full category can be compared in our sports nutrition section.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in a tub?

Twenty, at 15 g per serving for 300 g of powder. That is not much given the recommended length of the course: three to four tubs are needed to cover the 8 to 12 weeks indicated by the manufacturer. Better to know that before the first purchase than during the third.

What is the difference between Tendoforte, Fortigel and Verisol?

They are three bovine collagen hydrolysates cut to different peptide profiles, produced by processes specific to the raw-material manufacturer. They differ neither in origin nor in nature, but in the size and sequence of the fragments obtained. Here the split is 40%, 40% and 20%, which gives 4.8 g, 4.8 g and 2.4 g per serving.

Does the product have a taste?

No, it is neutral, and that is one of its genuine strengths. It dissolves in hot and cold liquids alike without forming lumps, which means you can add it to a coffee, a soup, a yoghurt or a cooked dish. Over a long course, that absence of taste counts for more than people think.

How long before you can judge?

Not before eight weeks, and twelve is more realistic. That is the length of the published protocols on this type of peptide, and it is what the manufacturer recommends. A two-week trial allows no conclusion, one way or the other.

Is this collagen suitable for vegetarians?

No. The hydrolysate is of bovine origin, and there is no such thing as collagen of plant origin: the products sold as such provide synthesis cofactors — vitamin C, silicon, zinc — but no collagen. For a vegetarian diet, it is those cofactors you should turn to.

Should it be taken with vitamin C?

That is the most useful piece of advice on this page. Vitamin C is the cofactor for the body's own collagen synthesis, and it is the only ingredient in this family to have an authorised claim in Europe. A glass of orange juice at the time of the serving is enough, and so is a tablet.

Why are the zinc and biotin dosages not stated?

Because the manufacturer does not publish them in the information available to us. The consequence is concrete: with no declared amount, no claim can be made for these micronutrients, even though they are indeed present. If zinc is your main requirement, a product with a stated dose is more sensible.

Where can you buy Sinob Collagen Flex & Glow?

The 300 g tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product in front of which we talk about the calendar first: one tub is never enough with a collagen, and it is better to say so at the first purchase than to discover it at the third. The other joint formulas can be compared in our curcumin category and in the neighbouring ones.

What is Nutrimuscle Egg Protein Powder?

Nutrimuscle Egg Protein is an egg white powder meant to be drunk from a shaker like a whey. A 40 g serving — roughly three scoops — provides 34.4 g of protein, or 86% of the powder, with less than 1 g of carbohydrate and less than 1 g of fat. It contains no lactose.

This is an animal protein, but not a dairy one: it is made from egg whites, which the manufacturer states come from free-range hens and French production. The powder is desalted, meaning its sodium content has been reduced — a point that matters, since raw egg white is naturally salty.

The versions in the range: vanilla and chocolate. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our Nutrimuscle section, and the other products in the category in our egg protein section.

What does a serving of egg protein contain?

86% protein is whey isolate territory, and it is very high for an egg protein. A 40 g serving provides 34.4 g of protein — more than a standard serving of concentrated whey, which often tops out at around 24 g. If you count your intake precisely, this is worth knowing: the recommended serving is larger than for a whey, and the protein figure follows.

Less than 1 g of carbohydrate and less than 1 g of fat per serving: on that score, it is hard to beat. Egg white contains neither sugar nor fat; all of the fat in an egg sits in the yolk. That is what makes this powder useful during a calorie-restricted phase, when every superfluous gram counts.

The real argument, however, is neither the protein content nor the macros: it is the absence of lactose. For someone who digests milk protein poorly — and plenty of people come to us with that problem — egg is one of the few animal alternatives that stands comparison on amino acid profile. Plant proteins are another route, but they often require combining two sources.

On the regulatory side, one authorised claim applies fully here: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass, as well as to the maintenance of normal bones. That is the official European wording. No claim exists, on the other hand, for the inulin or the Bacillus coagulans found in the flavoured versions: we list them as ingredients, without attributing any effect to them. The manufacturer does not disclose the energy value or the pack weight in the data available to us; refer to the packaging.

Ingredients list

Flavoured versions: EGG white protein from free-range hens, non-instantised, reduced salt content; natural flavouring; Frutafit® HD inulin; sweetener: sucralose; Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086.

Allergen: EGGS. Lactose-free, soy lecithin-free, aspartame-free, GMO-free. This product is suitable neither for people with an egg allergy nor for vegan diets.

How do you prepare Nutrimuscle Egg Protein?

Serving: 40 g, i.e. about 3 scoops. Liquid: 250 ml of milk or room-temperature water. Preparation: shake vigorously, the powder is not instantised. Timing: after training, as a snack, before bed or before a fasting period. Frequency: one to two servings a day depending on your needs.

The words “non-instantised” appear in black and white on the label, and they should be taken seriously. This powder does not dissolve like a whey: it needs to be shaken vigorously, several times, and it stays slightly more textured. That is not a manufacturing fault, it is the nature of dried egg white. A shaker with a ball, or a blender, helps a great deal.

Use a room-temperature liquid, neither ice-cold nor hot. Extreme cold makes it dissolve even less readily; heat, for its part, would coagulate the protein — an egg white remains an egg white. Tap water at room temperature, or milk taken out of the fridge a few minutes beforehand, give the best result.

One precaution the manufacturer flags and nobody else mentions: avoid heavily chlorinated tap water if the probiotic matters to you. Chlorine destroys the Bacillus coagulans found in the flavoured versions. Bottled water or milk settles the question. The manufacturer also advises against taking it at the same time as potassium bicarbonate, because of a risk of bloating.

As for combinations, it mixes easily with a carbohydrate base — maltodextrin, oat flakes, rice cream — or with a serving of creatine, which is tasteless.

Who is this egg protein for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed first at those who digest milk protein poorly: bloating, intestinal discomfort, diagnosed lactose intolerance. That is the number one reason people buy this product, and it is a perfectly sound one. It also appeals to those who want to vary their protein sources rather than putting everything on whey.

It is obviously not suitable for people with an egg allergy — that is a major allergen, and it makes up the entire product. Nor is it suitable for vegan diets. The flavoured versions contain sucralose: if you avoid artificial sweeteners, that is worth taking into account.

A word on taste, because it deserves honesty. An egg white protein has neither the texture nor the roundness of a whey. It is drier in the mouth, less creamy, and the unflavoured version has a pronounced taste that few people enjoy. The vanilla and chocolate versions correct that to a large extent, but if you are coming from a heavily flavoured whey, expect a change.

What you should not expect from it. It does not build muscle on its own, it does not replace a meal, and it has no magic effect linked to its “amino acid profile close to that of humans” — a phrase you read everywhere that does not mean very much. What it does provide is 34.4 g of animal protein with no lactose and no fat, which is already a very good reason to buy it.

Egg protein or whey isolate?

That is the useful comparison, and it comes down to a single criterion: your digestion.

A whey isolate is more pleasant to drink, dissolves instantly and often costs less per gram of protein. It contains very little lactose — filtration removes most of it — and suits the majority of people, including many who are mildly intolerant. Our whey isolate section covers those products, and it is where we point people first.

Egg protein becomes the right choice when even an isolate causes problems, or when you want to get away from milk altogether. It digests more slowly than a whey, which makes it useful in the evening or as a long-lasting snack — a use also covered by casein, except that casein, too, is a milk protein.

A third option if your constraint is ethical rather than digestive: our plant proteins section offers pea-rice blends that achieve a complete profile. They are less protein-dense and rougher in taste, but they settle the milk question as well as the egg one.

Frequently asked questions

How much protein per serving?

34.4 g for a 40 g serving, i.e. 86% protein. That is isolate territory, with less than 1 g of carbohydrate and less than 1 g of fat. The serving is larger than for a classic whey, which explains the higher protein figure.

Does the product contain lactose?

No. It is an egg white protein and contains no dairy ingredient whatsoever. That is precisely its purpose for people who digest milk protein poorly or who are lactose intolerant.

Why does the powder dissolve poorly?

Because it is not instantised, and the manufacturer says so. Dried egg white needs to be shaken vigorously in a room-temperature liquid. A shaker with a ball, or a blender, clearly improves the result. Avoid ice-cold liquid, and never use hot liquid.

Can it be mixed with tap water?

Yes, but if your water is heavily chlorinated, the chlorine destroys the Bacillus coagulans contained in the flavoured versions. Bottled water or milk avoids that problem. The manufacturer also advises against combining it with potassium bicarbonate, which can cause bloating.

Which versions are available?

In the range: vanilla and chocolate. Both contain, besides the egg white protein, a natural flavouring, inulin, sucralose and a probiotic. The protein itself is identical from one version to the other.

What is the energy value per 100 g?

The manufacturer does not disclose it in the data available to us, any more than the pack weight. We are not going to invent it. The macronutrients, on the other hand, are known: 86 g of protein, less than 2.5 g of carbohydrate and less than 2.5 g of fat per 100 g.

Is it suitable for taking before bed?

Yes, and that is one of its classic uses: egg protein digests more slowly than a whey. The manufacturer also suggests it before a fasting period. That said, what matters most is your total protein for the day, rather than the exact timing of servings.

Where can you buy Nutrimuscle Egg Protein?

The versions 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 reach for when a customer explains that whey has been bloating them for months: nine times out of ten, switching to egg sorts the problem out within a week. We simply warn them about the texture, which is not that of a whey. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the protein section.

What is IO Genix Shilajit 500 mg?

IO Genix Shilajit 500 mg is a shilajit extract in vegetable capsules, dosed at 500 mg per serving, of which 100 mg is fulvic acid as declared by the manufacturer. The bottle holds 60 capsules, which is two months at one a day.

Shilajit, also known as asphaltum or mumijo, is a resinous material that seeps out of high-altitude rock, chiefly in the Himalayas. It is a deposit formed over very long periods from plant matter that has decomposed and been compressed between the rocks. Its composition is therefore not a formula but a profile: humic and fulvic acids, and a range of minerals in ionic form — iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, manganese.

This product comes as a standardised extract in capsules rather than as the traditional raw resin. The difference is a practical one: resin is sticky, is measured by eye, has a pronounced earthy taste, and its concentration varies from batch to batch. A capsule always delivers the same amount. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix aisle.

What does a Shilajit capsule contain?

No nutrient reference value exists for shilajit or for fulvic acid.

100 mg of fulvic acid per capsule is the only genuinely comparable figure from one product in this category to the next. Raw shilajit circulates with widely varying contents, often undeclared, and an extract with no stated assay allows no comparison at all. Here, 100 mg for 500 mg of extract works out at a 20% assay, which sits at the upper end of what is available. It is the number to look at before any other.

The manufacturer also states that the raw material naturally contains more than 84 minerals in ionic form, along with humic acids. We report that information as it is declared, but it has to be read for what it is: no amount is published for any of these minerals. “84 elements” is a presentational argument, not a usable nutritional figure. You cannot rely on this capsule to cover a requirement for iron or zinc — for that, a properly dosed product is the only serious answer.

The regulatory clarification here is the most important thing on the whole page: no health claim is authorised at present for shilajit in the European Union. Not for energy, not for tiredness, not for testosterone, not for mitochondrial function. This product cannot claim any physiological effect, and any seller who promises you one is operating outside the legal framework. What we can tell you is what it contains and at what concentration. The rest is for you to judge.

Ingredients list

Standardised shilajit extract (Asphaltum) 500 mg of which 100 mg fulvic acid, capsule shell (vegetable hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose). Raw material of Himalayan origin. Vegetable capsules, suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. May contain traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS and SOYA. Made in a facility that uses these allergens.

How do you take Shilajit 500 mg?

Dose: 1 capsule. Liquid: a large glass of water, 250 ml. Timing: in the morning, with breakfast. Frequency: one serving a day, no more. Duration: the manufacturer recommends a continuous course of eight to twelve weeks, followed by a two- to four-week break.

Take it with breakfast rather than on an empty stomach. The manufacturer advises pairing it with a source of fat — an avocado, a few nuts, a drizzle of olive oil — which remains sensible advice for a complex plant extract. It is also the best way to avoid the stomach discomfort some people report with this kind of extract.

The manufacturer recommends not taking it at the same time as coffee or tea. The reason is a familiar one: tannins interfere with mineral absorption. On a product whose stated appeal rests partly on its mineral profile, it is worth leaving an hour between the two.

Consistency matters more than the time of day. An eight-week course means not forgetting three days out of seven; that is the usual pitfall with once-daily products, and the 60-capsule bottle is sized for two full months.

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

It is aimed at an adult curious about a traditional plant extract, who prefers a stated assay to resin bought by weight, and who accepts buying a product with no authorised claim. That is a defensible position, provided it is taken with full knowledge of the facts.

The capsules are vegetable-based, which makes the product compatible with a vegetarian or vegan diet.

It is not advised for anyone under 18, and pregnant and breastfeeding women should seek the advice of a healthcare professional. Three families of medication call for a prior medical consultation, and the manufacturer names them: antidiabetic drugs, since shilajit may influence blood sugar; antihypertensives; and anticoagulants. It also recommends stopping the product two weeks before any scheduled surgery. These precautions are not a formality: if one of them applies to you, the question is for your doctor before you buy.

One point the manufacturer does not address and that you need to know: raw, unpurified shilajit can contain heavy metals from the rock it comes from. That is the documented risk of this raw material, and it is why a purified, tested extract is not a luxury. If you buy shilajit elsewhere, as an artisanal resin with no analysis, that is the first thing you should ask the seller about.

What not to expect from it: it is not a stimulant, there is no effect to feel when you take it, and it is not a reliable source of minerals. Nor is it a hormonal product, whatever you may read elsewhere. Any health question is for your doctor or your pharmacist.

Shilajit or ashwagandha?

These are the two extracts we are most often asked to compare, because they share a traditional origin and a similar reputation.

Ashwagandha has a decisive advantage when it comes to clarity: it is a plant, its extract is assayed in withanolides, the doses used are well identified, and the available literature is far more extensive. It is the better choice if you want a documented active, if you are targeting a demanding period, and if you prefer an ingredient whose amounts can actually be discussed.

Shilajit operates on a different register. It is not a plant but a mineral and organic deposit, its composition is variable by nature, and its European regulatory status is less settled. Its interest lies in its unique profile — fulvic acid and ionic minerals — which nothing else reproduces. It is the choice of someone who wants to try precisely that, not a guaranteed effect.

If what you actually need is a micronutrient intake, neither is the right answer: a properly dosed, legible multivitamin does that job far better, and a targeted iron product resolves an identified deficiency where 84 unquantified minerals resolve nothing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bottle last?

Two months, at one capsule a day for 60 capsules. That matches exactly the eight-week course recommended by the manufacturer, which makes the format a coherent one: one bottle equals one complete course.

Capsules or traditional resin?

Capsules give a consistent dose, with no earthy taste and no handling. Resin, by contrast, is measured by eye, sticks to the spoon and varies from batch to batch. The only argument in favour of resin is quantity for the money; the one in favour of capsules is consistency, which matters more over a two-month course.

What is the role of fulvic acid?

It is the compound that characterises shilajit, the one used as the assay marker. Here, 100 mg for 500 mg of extract, or 20%. Since no health claim is authorised for this compound in Europe, we stick to that description: it is a marker of concentration, not a promise of effect.

Does shilajit raise testosterone?

No claim of that kind is authorised in Europe, and we will not write one. It is nonetheless the most widespread argument made about this product, including by French sellers. If that is your main goal, be aware that no food supplement can legally claim it, and that the question calls for a medical work-up.

Is this product suitable for vegans?

Yes. The shell is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, of plant origin, and the extract itself is not of animal origin. The only point to watch is the declared manufacturing traces — gluten, milk, eggs and soya — which come from the production facility.

Can it be combined with other supplements?

Nothing about the ingredients stands in the way, and the manufacturer itself mentions combining it with an adaptogen or a multivitamin. The only practical advice is not to start everything on the same day: by adding one product at a time, a fortnight apart, you will at least know what is making a difference for you.

Should it be stopped before an operation?

Yes, the manufacturer recommends stopping two weeks before any scheduled surgery. This precaution relates to possible interactions with blood clotting and blood sugar. Always tell your anaesthetist about your food supplements, just as you would about your medicines.

Where can you buy IO Genix Shilajit?

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, this is a product we always start by describing in terms of what it cannot promise: it is the only honest way to sell an ingredient with no authorised claim, and it avoids disappointment three weeks in. The other traditional extracts can be compared in our maca aisle and in the neighbouring aisles.

What is Rule One Clear Isolate 689 g?

Rule One Clear Isolate is a clear whey in a 689 g tub, that is to say a whey protein isolate formulated to stay dissolved in an acidic medium and give a translucent, fruity drink rather than a creamy shake. It is made by Rule One, an American brand.

The base is a whey isolate, never a concentrate: only that degree of filtration allows the clarity. The rest of the list is short — natural and artificial flavourings, malic acid and citric acid for the tartness, salt, sucralose and acesulfame potassium as sweeteners, silicon dioxide as an anti-foaming agent, potassium chloride, and blue spirulina as a colouring in the relevant flavours.

The flavours on offer: Blue Raspberry, Cherry Limeade, Peach Mango and Strawberry Lemonade. The register is that of a lemonade, not of a milky dessert. The manufacturer states that its batches undergo third-party laboratory testing for banned substances; we report that information and attribute it to them, not having seen the reports.

What does a serving of Clear Isolate contain?

The reference serving is 25 g. It provides 20 g of protein for 90 kcal (377 kJ), 1 g of carbohydrate, 0 g of fat, 0.3 g of salt and 120 mg of sodium. The 689 g tub covers 27 servings.

Two figures deserve to be looked at together. First the protein density: 20 g of protein in 25 g of powder, that is 80 g per 100 g. Then the size of the serving. Clear wheys are generally dosed at around 20 to 25 g against 30 to 35 g for a conventional whey, because beyond that the drink turns syrupy. This one therefore sits at the top of its category for the amount of protein actually delivered per serving, which is not that common.

* Column calculated from the values declared for 25 g, the manufacturer not publishing a per 100 g column. ** Reference intake of an average adult (8,400 kJ / 2,000 kcal, 50 g of protein, 6 g of salt). Two pieces of data are missing and we are not inventing them: the “of which saturates” line and the “of which sugars” line do not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer. Nor is the mineral-by-mineral breakdown of the electrolyte complex published: only the sodium is quantified. The values correspond to the Blue Raspberry flavour and may vary slightly from one flavour to another.

The product comfortably exceeds the regulatory threshold allowing the “high protein” nutrition claim — protein accounts for close to 90% of the serving's energy. As for health claims, the authorised wordings are these: protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass, to the maintenance of muscle mass and to the maintenance of normal bones. No recovery claim exists for protein, and we shall not write one.

How do you prepare Rule One Clear Isolate?

The manufacturer specifies a 25 g serving in 350 to 400 ml of ice-cold water, to be shaken vigorously and then left to stand for 30 seconds while the foam subsides. One or two servings a day are enough for most uses; no course length is given, and there is no reason for one with a protein.

The timing: 30 minutes before the session, or immediately after, or at any point in the day to top up an intake. The timing matters less than the total protein over 24 hours — that is the point on which most labels mislead you.

Two instructions apply specifically to this type of product. Do not mix it with milk: the acidity makes the casein flocculate and the drink turns grainy. And do not heat it, do not use it in baking: a clear whey coagulates when cooked. For cooking, keep a whey concentrate.

Who is Clear Isolate for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed first of all at those who can no longer stomach the milky shake format — heaviness on digestion, the taste of vanilla every day, or simply a summer session after which nothing creamy will go down. A protein you do not drink is of no use: that is the soundest use case.

The product contains MILK. It is made in a facility that also handles SOYA, EGG and FISH, and may contain traces of them. In the case of a diagnosed allergy to cow's milk proteins, it is contraindicated: filtration removes the lactose, not the proteins. The manufacturer advises against it for children under 12 and invites pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as people on medication, to seek advice before use. Any kidney or liver condition is a matter for your doctor.

What not to expect from it: the 300 mg of electrolytes per serving do not make it a sports drink. With 1 g of carbohydrate, the formula meets none of the European conditions that would allow a claim on hydration or on endurance. If that is what you are after, look instead at our electrolytes. Nor does it make you lose weight: it supplies a lot of protein for few calories, which helps you hold a deficit, but it is the deficit that does the work.

Clear Isolate or a conventional whey isolate?

Both rest on the same raw material. The difference lies in the formulation and, above all, in what you will do with it.

A conventional whey isolate is the better choice in three clear cases: you have a high protein requirement to cover and you take two or three servings a day, in which case the price per kilo of protein becomes decisive; you cook with your powder; or you prefer a creamy drink that keeps you going between two meals. On those three points, Clear Isolate loses.

Clear Isolate wins when the drink itself is the problem: milky shakes that are hard to digest, weariness of the milky taste, the urge for a cold, tart drink at the end of a session. It also wins on density, with 20 g of protein in a 25 g serving where many clear wheys stop at 18 g. The calculation that settles it remains the same: price of the tub, divided by its weight in kilos, divided by the protein content per 100 g. Do it on both sides before buying. The protein aisle lets you compare every family.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings does a 689 g tub contain?

Twenty-seven 25 g servings. At one serving a day, that covers almost a month; at two servings on training days only, count on longer. The manufacturer states a shelf life of 24 months in the unopened original packaging, kept away from moisture.

Do the nutritional values change with the flavour?

Slightly. The published figures correspond to the Blue Raspberry flavour, and the manufacturer notes that the others may vary a little. The flavours available are Blue Raspberry, Cherry Limeade, Peach Mango and Strawberry Lemonade. The blue colouring is spirulina, present only in the relevant flavours.

When should Clear Isolate be taken during the day?

Thirty minutes before the session, just after, or at any time to make up a shortfall in intake. The thirty-minute window people talked about fifteen years ago no longer holds: what determines the result is the day's total protein. In practice, take it at the moment you will actually drink it.

Can it be mixed with milk?

No, and that is a manufacturer's instruction, not a preference. The acidity of the formula destabilises the casein in milk: the mixture curdles and turns grainy. Use very cold water, 350 to 400 ml per serving. Crushed ice improves the result further.

Do the 300 mg of electrolytes replace a sports drink?

No. Set against the volume of the preparation, the 120 mg of sodium per serving remain well below the levels that characterise a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution within the meaning of European regulation, and the formula supplies only one gram of carbohydrate. Those minerals improve the drink's profile; they do not turn it into an endurance drink.

Does it contain lactose?

Traces only: this is an isolate, filtered to the point of removing most of the lactose and the fat. Many people troubled by a whey concentrate tolerate it without difficulty. Take care not to confuse this with an allergy to cow's milk proteins, which rules the product out — filtration does not remove the proteins.

How do you avoid the foam?

Pour the water in first, the powder second, shake, then leave it to stand for 30 seconds as the manufacturer indicates. Whey proteins are surface-active and stabilise bubbles: the harder you shake, the longer the foam holds. Taking the metal whisk out of the shaker and diluting generously settles the matter. Made in advance and left to chill, the drink is better.

Where to buy Rule One Clear Isolate 689 g?

This page lets you order the flavours, and we ship throughout France and Europe. With a tart drink, the flavour is the one criterion no product page can replace: in our Vendargues shop, around ten minutes from Montpellier, we talk them through with people who have actually drunk them, and we work out the price per kilo of protein against a conventional isolate in front of you.

If what you are after is instead an amino acid drink to sip during exercise, see our EAA; the whole aisle can be found in our sports nutrition section.

What is Nutrend Pump Pre Workout?

Nutrend Pump Pre Workout is a caffeine-free pre-workout powder, sold in a 225 g tub covering 15 servings of 15 g. Nutrend is a Czech brand, present in Europe since the early 1990s, and this formula is one of its rare products aimed at late-in-the-day sessions.

The composition reads in three blocks. The pump first, with 5 g of citrulline malate and 3 g of beta-alanine. Then the cognitive side: 1 g of L-tyrosine, 200 mg of choline, 300 mg of Bacopa monnieri extract and 500 mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha standardised to 5% withanolides. And finally a base of B-group vitamins, with sodium and taurine.

The flavours on offer: Rainbow, Berry Splash and Tropical Blend. The product joins our caffeine-free booster and Nutrend sections.

What does a 15 g serving contain?

Almost everything is quantified, which is not all that common. The one grey area is taurine, whose content varies from 256 to 818 mg depending on the flavour — that is how the manufacturer declares it, and we will not decide in its place. The “of which sugars” line is not published.

Three figures to remember. The 3 g of beta-alanine first: that is a straightforward dose, above what is usually found, and you should know that at that level the tingling is all but guaranteed. Then the 5 g of citrulline malate: a decent dose without being a record, sitting within the useful range. And the 500 mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha, a patented extract standardised to 5% withanolides — stating the standardisation is what sets a serious extract apart from any old plant powder.

On the claims, here is what European regulation authorises and what we can therefore write: vitamins B1, B3, B5 and B12 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism, vitamins B3 and B12 contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism and to the maintenance of normal liver function from 82.5 mg per portion — the 200 mg in this formula clear the threshold. By contrast, no claim is authorised for citrulline, beta-alanine, tyrosine, taurine, ashwagandha or bacopa.

How should Nutrend Pump be dosed?

Dose: 15 g, that is half a scoop, never more than 15 g a day. Fluid: 250 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 minutes before the session. Frequency: on training days only. Duration: continuous use is possible, with a 1 to 2 week break after 8 to 12 weeks of use.

Mind the dose: the scoop supplied holds 30 g, the serving is 15 g, that is half of it. This is the kind of detail that doubles your consumption without your noticing.

Two practical points. The formation of small lumps in the powder is normal: amino acids are hygroscopic and pick up moisture from the air, and nothing is affected by it. And expect tingling on the face and extremities in the minutes after taking it: that is the paraesthesia linked to the 3 g of beta-alanine, it lasts 15 to 30 minutes and has no consequences.

Once the tub is open, use it within 3 months. Keep it closed, dry, at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C. The shelf life before opening is 36 months.

Who is this pre-workout for, and who is it not for?

It targets three profiles. Those who train in the evening and refuse to sacrifice their sleep. Those who are sensitive to caffeine — palpitations, anxiety, shaking — and have given up on conventional pre-workouts. And those already taking caffeine elsewhere in the day who do not want to stack it.

The restrictions are brief but real. The product is not recommended for children, adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women. People on medical treatment should consult a healthcare professional before use — the presence of ashwagandha and bacopa warrants that caution, and piperine alters the metabolism of many medicines. The product may contain traces of SOYA and MILK.

What not to expect from it: energy. Without caffeine there is no kick, and that is the most frequent misunderstanding in this category. Nor should you count on ashwagandha or bacopa for any noticeable effect during the session: these plants are judged over weeks, not over thirty minutes, and no European claim is recognised for them. What the formula delivers is pump and preparation for the effort — nothing more, nothing less.

Nutrend Pump or a pre-workout with caffeine?

The two answer different problems, and the question to ask yourself is a simple one: what is it you are missing before the session?

A pre-workout with caffeine, like those in our boosters section, is the right choice if what you are missing is the will to go. A session at 6:00, a heavy week, motivation at rock bottom: nothing other than caffeine fixes that, not citrulline, not beta-alanine. Those formulas typically supply 200 to 400 mg of caffeine, and often doses of citrulline equal to or higher than the ones here.

Nutrend Pump wins on ground that caffeine cannot occupy: the clock. At 20:00 before a 20:45 session, it is the only type of product that will not cost you your night — and sleep weighs more heavily on progress than any pre-workout. It also wins on the 3 g of beta-alanine, a dose higher than in many stimulant formulas, and on the presence of a standardised ashwagandha extract rarely found in a pre-workout. Many of our customers end up with both tubs and alternate according to the time of the session.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are in the 225 g tub?

Fifteen servings of 15 g. At three sessions a week, one tub covers five weeks. Once opened, it should be used within three months as the manufacturer recommends.

Does the scoop correspond to one serving?

No, and that is the trap with this product. The scoop supplied holds 30 g; the serving is 15 g, that is half a scoop. Taking a full scoop would amount to doubling every dose, including the 3 g of beta-alanine.

Why is the tingling so pronounced?

Because the formula contains 3 g of beta-alanine, a high dose. The paraesthesia appears within 15 minutes, affects mainly the face and extremities, lasts half an hour and has no known consequences. It eases with regular use; if it bothers you, cut back temporarily to 10 g.

Can it be taken just before sleeping?

The formula contains no stimulant, so nothing stands in the way as far as sleep goes. That said, the product is only of interest taken 30 minutes before a session: taking it without training serves no purpose.

Why does the taurine vary by flavour?

The manufacturer declares a range of 256 to 818 mg depending on the flavour, without explaining why. We repeat that information as it stands and flag the imprecision rather than putting forward a single figure.

Are the lumps in the powder normal?

Yes. Amino acids are hygroscopic: they pick up moisture from the air and form small clumps. The manufacturer states this explicitly, and it affects neither the composition nor the effectiveness. Close the tub properly after each use.

Can it be combined with a fat burner or a coffee?

Technically yes, since it supplies no caffeine. But that cancels out the point of the product: if you are after stimulation, you may as well take a conventional pre-workout and pay only once. The manufacturer recommends avoiding it alongside caffeinated products.

Where to buy Nutrend Pump Pre Workout 225 g?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a product we systematically suggest to customers who tell us they have given up pre-workouts because of their sleep: many have no idea the caffeine-free category exists.

Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, keeps the flavours on the shelf, and it is also the place where someone will show you where half a scoop stops. The rest of the pre-session range can be browsed from sports nutrition.