Eur J Appl Physiol December 2021 PMID 34417881

A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance.

Lewis A Gough, S Andy Sparks, Lars R McNaughton, Matthew F Higgins, Josh W Newbury, Eric Trexler, Mark A Faghy, Craig A Bridge

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Mentions

30
Peak: 8 in Aug 2021
across 6 sources since Aug 2021

Extended reach

64,422
potential audience

Total likes

137

Video views

614

Mentions per month

Aug 2021 – Jan 2026

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter20 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Instagram2 posts
  • TikTok2 posts
  • Facebook1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective digital discussions reveal a generally skeptical attitude towards the supplement's performance benefits, with comments like 'research shows it's unlikely to help' and references to conflicting previous reviews, emphasizing the importance of rigorous research. Words like 'surprises me' and 'not valid' indicate critical engagement with the study's findings, suggesting the article influences perceptions but doesn't yet inspire widespread change.

AgreementLow agreement

Most discussions indicate skepticism or disagreement regarding citrulline malate's effectiveness, reflecting a cautious or dismissive attitude towards the supplement's benefits.

InterestHigh interest

The varied reactions highlight a high level of interest in the research findings, with many commentators referencing specific studies and sharing enthusiasm about new publications.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some users engage deeply by quoting the research and expressing personal opinions, though others are more surface-level dismissals or confirmations.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussions show some influence of the article's conclusions, they mainly serve to question or confirm existing perceptions rather than incite broad or transformative actions.

Abstract in brief

  • Citrulline malate (CM) is marketed as a supplement that may enhance blood flow and muscle recovery during exercise, potentially improving resistance and high-intensity performance.
  • Current research shows mixed results due to differences in study methods, dosing, and supplement quality, making it difficult to confirm whether CM genuinely boosts exercise performance.
  • More standardized and detailed studies are needed to determine the optimal dose, bioavailability, and mechanisms of action of CM before its effectiveness can be confidently established.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Professor Lewis Gough
@lewisgough · X

New week, new paper... delighted to get this one out on citrulline malate. A new(ish) supplement with the potential to improve exercise performance... https://t.co/ne4RS74j0Z

Aug 23, 2021 · 32 likes · 3 shares · 1,039 followers View post →
Wee Lun Foo
@weelunfoo · X

Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: https://t.co/jljgM4KKqg #citrullinemalate #exercise #performance #recovery #nutrition #supplement https://t.co/sgDqWMybgq

Sep 5, 2021 · 32 likes · 7 shares · 814 followers View post →
Professor Lewis Gough
@lewisgough · X

Always surprises me how some papers land versus others. I was never expecting this from my citrulline malate review back in 2021 "ranked 1st of the 46 tracked articles of a similar age in European Journal of Applied Physiology." - nearly 20k accesses! https://t.co/ne4RS74j0Z

May 8, 2024 · 12 likes · 1,039 followers View post →
Eric Trexler, PhD
@EricTrexler · X

I was fortunate to contribute to this new paper that details the current state of the literature on citrulline malate supplementation. Thanks to all of my co-authors, and thanks to Dr. @lewisgough for leading the project. Paper url: https://t.co/3o2vAjmKJb https://t.co/XiLx5yzxS6

Aug 30, 2021 · 10 likes · 1 share · 4,010 followers View post →
David Gómez
@Davidgomct · X

La suplementación con citrulina malato parece no mejorar el rendimiento en el deporte

Aug 22, 2021 · 8 likes · 5,136 followers View post →
Nick Krontiris
@nick_krontiris · X

A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance (open access) https://t.co/Y41n2ccQk0 #exercise #fitness #fit #FitFam #FitLife #FitnessAddict #Workout #TrainHard #GymLife #GymTime #muscle #strength #lift #GetStrong #cardio #hiit

Aug 23, 2021 · 2 likes · 19,550 followers View post →

All mentions

TheVitaDoc
@MCotterMD · X

A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance https://t.co/0IwLLFvdrd

Feb 25, 2025 · 18,334 followers View post →
Professor Lewis Gough
@lewisgough · X

Always surprises me how some papers land versus others. I was never expecting this from my citrulline malate review back in 2021 "ranked 1st of the 46 tracked articles of a similar age in European Journal of Applied Physiology." - nearly 20k accesses! https://t.co/ne4RS74j0Z

May 8, 2024 · 12 likes · 1,039 followers View post →
Si its easier
@SimonTurton10 · X

@KenDBerryMD so this is not valid then https://t.co/YR2lkABCcJ

Aug 20, 2023 · 274 followers View post →
Blonyx Biosciences
@Blonyx · X

Citrulline Malate supplementation - research shows it's unlikely to help with training https://t.co/oydvpKG3PZ

Oct 15, 2021 · 1,404 followers View post →
Craig Bridge
@CraigBridge3 · X

RT @wlf0503: Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: htt…

Sep 7, 2021 · 7 shares · 132 followers View post →
Andy Sparks
@sparks_andy · X

RT @wlf0503: Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: htt…

Sep 6, 2021 · 7 shares · 1,403 followers View post →
Guillem Vizcaíno
@vizcaphysiology · X

RT @wlf0503: Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: htt…

Sep 6, 2021 · 7 shares · 192 followers View post →
Chris Zuñiga
@cvszuniga · X

RT @wlf0503: Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: htt…

Sep 5, 2021 · 7 shares · 61 followers View post →
Professor Lewis Gough
@lewisgough · X

RT @wlf0503: Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: htt…

Sep 5, 2021 · 7 shares · 1,039 followers View post →
Darren Delaney, ASCC SENr
@DarDelFitness · X

RT @wlf0503: Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: htt…

Sep 5, 2021 · 7 shares · 373 followers View post →
Wee Lun Foo
@weelunfoo · X

Gough et al. (2021) A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance @EJAP_official Link: https://t.co/jljgM4KKqg #citrullinemalate #exercise #performance #recovery #nutrition #supplement https://t.co/sgDqWMybgq

Sep 5, 2021 · 32 likes · 7 shares · 814 followers View post →
Weldon
@Rocker75W · X

RT @EricTrexler: I was fortunate to contribute to this new paper that details the current state of the literature on citrulline malate supp…

Sep 1, 2021 · 1 share · 327 followers View post →
Eric Trexler, PhD
@EricTrexler · X

I was fortunate to contribute to this new paper that details the current state of the literature on citrulline malate supplementation. Thanks to all of my co-authors, and thanks to Dr. @lewisgough for leading the project. Paper url: https://t.co/3o2vAjmKJb https://t.co/XiLx5yzxS6

Aug 30, 2021 · 10 likes · 1 share · 4,010 followers View post →
Jose Antonio Lopez
@JoseALopezDN · X

RT @lewisgough: New week, new paper... delighted to get this one out on citrulline malate. A new(ish) supplement with the potential to impr…

Aug 27, 2021 · 3 shares · 1,385 followers View post →
Bhopender Thakur
@TheBhupiThakur · X

RT @lewisgough: New week, new paper... delighted to get this one out on citrulline malate. A new(ish) supplement with the potential to impr…

Aug 23, 2021 · 3 shares · 1,388 followers View post →
Masters by Research (BCU)
@BCU_MRes · X

RT @lewisgough: New week, new paper... delighted to get this one out on citrulline malate. A new(ish) supplement with the potential to impr…

Aug 23, 2021 · 3 shares · 173 followers View post →
Professor Lewis Gough
@lewisgough · X

New week, new paper... delighted to get this one out on citrulline malate. A new(ish) supplement with the potential to improve exercise performance... https://t.co/ne4RS74j0Z

Aug 23, 2021 · 32 likes · 3 shares · 1,039 followers View post →
Nick Krontiris
@nick_krontiris · X

A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance (open access) https://t.co/Y41n2ccQk0 #exercise #fitness #fit #FitFam #FitLife #FitnessAddict #Workout #TrainHard #GymLife #GymTime #muscle #strength #lift #GetStrong #cardio #hiit

Aug 23, 2021 · 2 likes · 19,550 followers View post →
David Gómez
@Davidgomct · X

La suplementación con citrulina malato parece no mejorar el rendimiento en el deporte

Aug 22, 2021 · 8 likes · 5,136 followers View post →
藤井 直人 Naoto Fujii
@naotofuj · X

A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance Lewis A. Gough, S. Andy Sparks, Lars R. McNaughton, Matthew F. Higgins, Josh W. Newbury, Eric Trexler, Mark A. Faghy & Craig A. Bridge European Journal of Applied Physiology https://t.co/nZ1SHHSXsI

Aug 21, 2021 · 2 likes · 5,530 followers View post →
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