Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Arginine nitrate is a compound that combines L-arginine, an amino acid, with nitrate. Its use in athletic and exercise supplements is based on the theory that it may enhance nitric oxide (NO) production via two distinct pathways: L-arginine serving as a substrate for endothelial NO synthase, and nitrate being reduced to nitrite and then NO via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway. Increased NO levels are hypothesized to improve blood flow, vascular function, and muscle "pump," potentially supporting exercise performance and recovery.

There is moderate scientific evidence supporting the use of dietary nitrates (such as those found in beetroot juice) for modest improvements in endurance and exercise efficiency, particularly in untrained or moderately trained individuals. Separately, L-arginine supplementation alone has shown limited and inconsistent benefits for exercise performance, largely due to poor oral bioavailability. Arginine nitrate itself, as a single compound, has not been studied extensively in peer-reviewed human trials. Most evidence is extrapolated from studies on nitrates and arginine individually. Direct clinical studies on arginine nitrate's impact on exercise performance are lacking as of June 2024.

In summary, the rationale for using arginine nitrate as an exercise aid is scientifically plausible, and it is commonly included in pre-workout supplements. However, the direct evidence supporting its efficacy is weak, and benefits appear to be mostly theoretical or based on indirect evidence from related compounds.

More about Arginine nitrate
More about Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other health conditions supported by Arginine nitrate

Products containing Arginine nitrate