The difference between 'to endure' and 'to perform better'
In endurance sports, performance does not depend solely on training more. As the duration or intensity of the effort increases, small physiological factors can make enormous differences in the ability to maintain high paces, delay fatigue, and optimize energy efficiency.
One of the ingredients that has generated the most scientific interest in recent years in endurance sports is dietary nitrates. Especially in endurance disciplines.
But here is something important: Not all nitrate products are the same.
What exactly are nitrates and why are they so interesting in endurance?
Nitrates are compounds naturally present in vegetables such as beets. When consumed in adequate amounts, the body can transform them into Nitric Oxide (NO), a key molecule in multiple processes related to sports performance.
Among them:
- regulation of blood flow,
- oxygen transport,
- muscular efficiency,
- exercise economy,
- and energy production.
Translated into practice: the body may perform the same effort with a lower physiological cost. And in endurance sports, that matters a lot.
Why can nitrates help in endurance sports?
In endurance, many times the one who generates more energy does not win. The one who wastes less wins.
Current scientific evidence shows that nitrate-based strategies can help to:
- improve exercise economy,
- optimize muscular efficiency,
- reduce the cost of oxygen during exercise,
- improve tolerance to intense efforts,
- and delay the onset of fatigue.
That is why more and more athletes use them in:
- Competitions
- Demanding training sessions
- High load blocks
- Sports where maintaining performance makes the difference.
But… this is where the real differences begin
Most products on the market are limited solely to providing nitrates. And although that may work, today we know that the physiology of Nitric Oxide is far more complex.
That is why at Crown Sport Nutrition we developed:
Nitrates 600 + Citrulline A formulation designed to increase Nitric Oxide through a dual physiological pathway strategy.
What does 'double Nitric Oxide pathway' mean?
Nitrates 600 + Citrulline combines:
- 600 mg of nitrates
- 6.000 mg of Citrulline Malate
in a shot gel format developed specifically for sports performance.
The key is that both ingredients increase Nitric Oxide through different and complementary mechanisms.
Pathway 1 · Nitrates → Nitric Oxide (oxygen-independent pathway)
Nitrates from beetroot extract are first converted into nitrites thanks to bacteria present in the mouth. Later, especially under conditions of local hypoxia and muscle acidosis —typical of intense exercise—, they can be transformed into Nitric Oxide. This makes this pathway especially active precisely when it is most needed: during efforts of high physiological demand.
Pathway 2 · Citrulline → Arginine → Nitric Oxide (oxygen-dependent pathway)
The citrulline malate uses a different mechanism. Inside the body, it is transformed into arginine, which subsequently participates in the production of Nitric Oxide through an oxygen-dependent pathway. In addition, it has better absorption than consuming arginine directly, by avoiding the first-pass intestinal and hepatic metabolism that limits the bioavailability of oral arginine.
The result: a more complete and advanced strategy to optimize Nitric Oxide availability during exercise.
Why can this make real differences?
Because performance does not depend solely on 'having more energy.' It also depends on:
- how oxygen reaches the muscle,
- how the blood flow responds,
- how much it costs to maintain a pace,
- and how long it takes for the body to accumulate fatigue.
And this is where an advanced Nitric Oxide strategy can take on special relevance. Especially in endurance sports, where the evidence is stronger:
- Running
- Trail running
- Cycling
- Triathlon
And also with growing evidence in intermittent and team sports:
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Team sports
- Intermittent sports
Own science: beyond marketing
At Crown Sport Nutrition we have been working for years under a very clear philosophy: «First science. Then, trust.«
That is why Nitrates 600 + Citrulline also has its own scientific evidence developed together with the University of Greenwich.
The study (currently under review) compared:
- placebo,
- nitrates alone,
- and nitrates + citrulline malate.
The main results observed were:
- improvements in oxygen consumption efficiency, with higher performance at the same metabolic demand,
- improvement of maximum aerobic speed,
- increase in time until exhaustion,
- and improvements in the lactate profile during exercise, consistent with greater metabolic efficiency.
In addition, the combination of nitrates + citrulline malate showed the most consistent and pronounced effects compared to the isolated use of nitrates.
It's not about 'another beet gel'
When we talk about real performance, the difference is rarely in a single ingredient. It is in:
- the formulation,
- the effective doses,
- bioavailability,
- the physiological strategy,
- and the scientific backing behind the product.
Nitrate and Citrulline Gel for Sports Endurance
Nitrates 600 + Citrulline is an innovative gel shot that combines 600 mg of nitrates and 6.000 mg of citrulline, designed to maximize performance in endurance sports. Its dual pathway of Nitric Oxide production enhances vasodilation, blood flow, and oxygen transport to the muscle. Backed by a scientific study (in review) conducted in collaboration with the University of Greenwich, where the combination of nitrates + citrulline showed superior improvements in key performance and recovery variables compared to placebo. Suitable for vegans, allergen-free, and with Informed Sport anti-doping certification.
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