Performance · INGREDIENT PROFILE
L-citrulline
Research topics: Exercise performance · Blood flow
Also searched as: citrulline, L-citrulline, citrulline malate. Names and formulations are not necessarily interchangeable.
01 / MATCH THE FORMULA
The details to pin down.
Ingredient identity & form
Keep L-citrulline and citrulline malate separate; document the malate ratio and actual citrulline content.
Dose, duration & study fit
Actual citrulline dose, formulation, timing, training status, and exercise endpoint.
Record the tested dose from the original study. A study dose is not a recommended dose or proof that every claim at that dose is supported.
02 / READ IN CONTEXT
What changes the interpretation?
Distinguish blood-flow or biomarker changes from demonstrated improvements in exercise performance.
- Population: Does the study population match your intended audience?
- Comparison: What changed compared with the control group—not just compared with baseline?
- Consistency: Do independent studies agree? Include null findings, limitations, and adverse events.
- Claim wording: Does the measured outcome support the strength and scope of the proposed claim?
03 / FOLLOW THE SOURCES
Research to explore.
A selected index of randomized trials and research reviews. Open the source to verify methods, results, corrections, and applicability.
2026 · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Review · review-article
Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Three-Level Meta-Analysis. ↗
PMID 42356270 · DOI 10.3390/nu18121881 · PMC record available
2026 · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Review · Review
Synergistic effect of long-term L-citruline supplementation combined with exercise on body composition in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. ↗
PMID 41786156 · DOI 10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103339
2026 · Randomized Controlled Trial
Short-term citrulline malate supplementation enhances lower-limb function in physically active older women: A pilot randomized controlled trial. ↗
PMID 42162613 · DOI 10.1016/j.clnesp.2026.103356
2025 · Randomized Controlled Trial
The Antioxidant Power of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction Gold Potentiates the Effects of L-Citrulline in Athlete Performance and Vasodilation in a Pilot Study. ↗
PMID 40218864 · DOI 10.3390/nu17071106 · PMC record available
How these references were selected
First four Europe PMC relevance-ranked MED records matching the recorded ingredient/outcome query and randomized-trial, systematic-review or meta-analysis publication types. No favorable-result filter. Bibliographic discovery only; not a full-text review or exhaustive bibliography.
Captured 2026-10-08: 4 records shown from 121 matching index records. Index counts describe this query, not supporting studies or evidence quality.
(TITLE_ABS:"citrulline") AND (TITLE_ABS:"exercise" OR TITLE_ABS:"performance" OR TITLE_ABS:"blood flow") AND SRC:MED AND (PUB_TYPE:"Randomized Controlled Trial" OR PUB_TYPE:"Systematic Review" OR PUB_TYPE:"Meta-Analysis")Run the recorded index search ↗04 / GO DEEPER
Guidance & source databases.
NIH ODS: Exercise and athletic performance↗Database links open a fresh search. Registry entries can identify ongoing or unpublished trials; registration alone is not evidence of benefit.
Educational research navigation. Not individual medical advice, a safety clearance, regulatory approval, or a complete review of this ingredient. Bibliographic snapshot: 2026-10-08.