PlainPill

Citrulline Malate

People mainly take Citrulline Malate for performance, recovery, heart & lipids. Based on 30 first-hand reports and 5 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #182 of 1,974 overall.

44
User score
Mostly positive
37% positive3% mixed0% negative60% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 93% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
5
meta-analyses
36
RCTs
78
papers

What Citrulline Malate does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

J Strength Cond Res · 2020 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Humans: A Review of the Current Literature

Conclusion: Nevertheless, several studies have reported that L-citrulline supplementation can enhance exercise performance and recovery. Given the positive effects observed from some investigations, future studies should continue to investigate the effects of both acute and chronic supplementation with L-citrulline and citrulline malate on markers of blood flow and exercise performance and should seek to elucidate the mechanism underlying such effects.

PubMed 31977835 ↗
J Diet Suppl · 2022 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Muscle Strength in Resistance-Trained Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Conclusion: The mean effects were similar for "limbs" (upper vs lower) [p = 0.763]. Accordingly, our findings suggest that citrulline malate supplementation does not improve muscle strength in healthy and resistance-trained individuals (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020159338).

PubMed 34176406 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

2 scoopspre-workout
1 scoopas reported
pre workoutas reported
4 g; 8 gas reported
10-20%peri-workout
3 gpreworkout

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

heartburn ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“Instead of viagra, try citrulline malate”
Source discussion ↗
“2 Scoops Legion Pulse (L-Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, Betaine Anhydrous, Alpha-GPC)”
Source discussion ↗
“I believe a lot of the studies about citrulline”
Source discussion ↗
“creatine, citrulline malate, magnesium citrate”
Source discussion ↗
“Citrulline Malate [listed as great supplement for most people with few side-effects]”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for performance

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate