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Citrulline Malate Benefits: Exercise Results at 8 g, Not 100 mg
Citrulline malate benefits in studies are small and linked to exercise: a 198-person analysis found a small strength gain (Hedges g 0.20), and a 206-person analysis found lower effort and soreness at 24 hours, mostly at 8 g. VapoCept's panel lists 100 mg, about 1% of that dose, and no cited study tested thinking.
Written by the VapoCept label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The studies01
What are the benefits of citrulline malate?
In studies they are small and tied to exercise, at gram doses.
A pooled analysis of 12 studies and 198 people found a small strength and power effect, with a Hedges g of 0.20 and an interval from 0.01 to 0.39 (Trexler 2019, Citrulline and strength/power meta-analysis). Another, with 13 trials and 206 people, mostly at 8 g of citrulline malate, found lower perceived effort and less soreness at 24 hours, but not at 72 hours (Citrulline, perceived exertion and soreness meta-analysis (2020)).
| Outcome | Result | People |
|---|---|---|
| Strength and power | Small gain, g 0.20 | 198 |
| Perceived effort | Lower | 206 |
| Soreness at 24 hours | Lower | 206 |
| Soreness at 72 hours | No clear change | 206 |
Memory and focus02
Is there evidence for memory or focus?
We found no human trial of citrulline malate for thinking, focus or clarity.
NIH's exercise review says the research "does not provide strong support" for citrulline malate even in sport (NIH ODS, Exercise and athletic performance (health professional)). The proposed route, citrulline to arginine to nitric oxide, is studied mostly in exercise and blood pressure.
The 100 mg line03
How much citrulline malate is in VapoCept?
As listed in the brand's panel, 100 mg, beside a separate 100 mg of citrulline HCl.
100 mg is 1.25% of an 8 g study dose, and the two lines together are at most 2.5% (our arithmetic; citrulline content is lower than the salt weight). See the dose math page.
about 666 mgof listed ingredients, as listed in the brand's panel
- Niacin7.5 mg NE1.1%
- Calcium18 mg2.7%
- L-Arginine200 mg30.1%
- L-Arginine AKG200 mg30.1%
- L-Citrulline HCl100 mg15.0%
- L-Citrulline Malate100 mg15.0%
- Beta-Alanine40 mg6.0%
Share by listed weight. The capsule shell and any fillers are not in the list, because the other-ingredients text was not supplied. Niacin and calcium are tiny by weight, like the vitamins on most labels.
VapoCept: 30 capsules, 30-day bottleOne capsule a day · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · $49 to $79 a bottle per the brand information, confirm at checkout
See packsSafety04
Is citrulline malate safe to take?
It is usually well tolerated at studied amounts, and some people get stomach discomfort.
Citrulline also lowered blood pressure slightly at gram doses, so ask first if you take blood pressure medicine. If a clinician agrees, the packs are below.
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3 bottles: 90 days
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6 bottles: 180 days
$49a bottle · $294 for 6 · per the brand information
Ships from the U.S. · 60-day guarantee per the sales page
Order 6 bottlesPrices follow the brand information; confirm the live price at checkout. A 2-bottle pack is also offered. Check your medicines with your doctor or pharmacist before you order.
FAQ05
VapoCept questions people ask
Does citrulline malate improve workouts?
Studies show a small effect: a 198-person analysis found a Hedges g of 0.20 for strength and power, with an interval that nearly touches zero. NIH calls the support not strong. Those results used gram doses, far above the 100 mg citrulline malate line listed by VapoCept.
What is the usual citrulline malate dose?
In a 13-trial analysis, the most common dose was 8 g of citrulline malate. The VapoCept panel lists 100 mg, about 1.25% of that. Dose in studies is not a recommendation, and you should follow your bottle's directions and your clinician's advice.
Does citrulline malate cause side effects?
Some people get stomach discomfort; one weightlifting study reported it in 6 of 41 people, according to NIH. It also lowered blood pressure slightly in gram-dose studies. People on blood pressure medicine should ask a pharmacist first.
Sources (3)
- Acute Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on High-Intensity Strength and Power Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisTrexler ET, Persky AM, Ryan ED, Schwartz TA, Stoner L, Smith-Ryan AE. Sports Medicine 2019;49(5):707-718 (abstract via Duke Scholars), 2019
- Effect of citrulline on post-exercise rating of perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and blood lactate levels: A systematic review and meta-analysisJournal of Sport and Health Science 2020 (authors not shown on the fetched PubMed page; Rhim HC et al. from general knowledge), 2020
- Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance: Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsNIH Office of Dietary Supplements, 2026
Who wrote this06
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Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site of Vapocepts, the U.S. stocking partner for VapoCept. It is not the manufacturer and it is not the sales page. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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