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C4 Original Cherry Limeade

Cellucor
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(28932 ratings)
Niacin 30 mg
Folate 250 mcg
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate 1 Gram(s)
Product Image
Score 72.0

C4 Original is a popular pre-workout, delivering reliable energy and focus primarily due to caffeine, though key performance ingredients like creatine and beta-alanine are underdosed for optimal benefits.

Quantity: 195 Gram(s)Servings size: 7 Gram(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Heart Health
Skin Health
Energy
Metabolism Boost
General Health

Score 72.0

C4 Original is a popular pre-workout, delivering reliable energy and focus primarily due to caffeine, though key performance ingredients like creatine and beta-alanine are underdosed for optimal benefits.

Quantity: 390, Flavour: Fruit PunchQuantity: 390, Flavour: Pink LemonadeQuantity: 390, Flavour: Strawberry MargaritaFlavour: Fruit PunchFlavour: Icy Blue RazzFlavour: Watermelon
Analysis

C4 Original is a highly popular pre-workout supplement designed primarily to enhance workout performance through increased energy and focus. Its formulation includes a proprietary 'Explosive Energy Blend' which is primarily caffeine-driven, alongside key performance ingredients like Creatine Nitrate, Beta-Alanine, and Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate (AAKG). While users widely report a significant energy boost and improved focus from the caffeine, the dosages of ingredients aimed at muscle endurance (Beta-Alanine) and strength/power (Creatine Nitrate) are generally considered below the clinically effective amounts for optimal benefits by sports nutritionists and researchers, meaning full benefits for muscle gain and endurance might not be realized without stacking other supplements. The use of a proprietary blend also reduces transparency regarding exact ingredient quantities.

Pros
  • Effective for providing immediate energy and focus due to caffeine.
  • Widely available and comes in many flavors, generally well-liked for taste.
  • Contains a blend of ingredients targeting multiple aspects of workout performance.
Cons
  • Proprietary 'Explosive Energy Blend' lacks transparency on exact caffeine dosage and other components.
  • Key performance ingredients (Creatine Nitrate, Beta-Alanine, Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate) are dosed below levels considered optimal or clinically effective for maximizing their benefits.
  • Beta-Alanine can cause paresthesia (tingling sensation) in some users.
Warnings
  • High caffeine content may not be suitable for individuals sensitive to stimulants.
  • Beta-Alanine may cause harmless skin tingling (paresthesia).
  • Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions should consult a doctor due to stimulant content.
  • Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, despite some broadly stated health goals.
$29.99($0.99 per serving)
Amazon
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Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Calories 0 Calorie(s)
Total Carbohydrates 1 Gram(s)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 250 mg
Niacin (Niacinamide) 30 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate) 500 mcg
Folic Acid 250 mcg
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) 35 mcg
Calcium (Calcium Silicate) 24 mg
CarnoSyn (Beta-Alanine) 1.6 Gram(s)
Creatine Nitrate 1 Gram(s)
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate 1 Gram(s)
Explosive Energy Blend 425 mg
Adults 18–50 Women
Categories
Niacin 75.0
Provides 30mg of Niacin (as Niacinamide), which is a good supplementary dose for general vitamin B3 needs without typically causing the 'flush' associated with nicotinic acid, contributing to energy metabolism.
Folate 70.0
Contains 250mcg of Folic Acid, a B vitamin important for cell growth and metabolism, contributing to overall health and energy production.
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate 60.0
Includes 1 gram of AAKG, a nitric oxide precursor. While it contributes to workout pumps and blood flow, the dosage is lower than what is typically recommended for maximizing these effects compared to alternative standalone AAKG products or L-Citrulline.
Goals
Energy 90.0
The product contains a potent 'Explosive Energy Blend,' primarily caffeine, which is highly effective at increasing alertness and reducing perceived exertion during workouts, as commonly reported by users.
Fitness 70.0
While containing ingredients like Beta-Alanine and Creatine Nitrate that support fitness, their dosages (1.6g Beta-Alanine, 1g Creatine Nitrate) are lower than what is typically recommended for maximal performance and muscle saturation by sports science.
Muscle Gain 65.0
Creatine Nitrate is included, which supports strength and power essential for muscle gain, but the 1g dose is significantly below the commonly recommended 3-5g daily intake for effective creatine saturation and muscle growth.
88 Value

Niacin 500 mg

NOW
4.6
★★★★★
(8550 ratings)
Offers a high dose of Niacin (500mg vs C4's 30mg) at a very low price per serving ($0.06 vs C4's $0.93), providing excellent bang for your buck if you are primarily looking for a significant Niacin boost.
85 Value

B-Complex 50

Solaray
4.7
★★★★★
(6795 ratings)
This B-complex provides a good combination of Niacin (50mg) and a decent dose of Folic Acid (680mcg), offering broader B-vitamin support at a very competitive price per serving ($0.13 vs C4's $0.93).
87 Value

B-50 Complex

21st Century
4.7
★★★★★
(8446 ratings)
Delivers a potent B-vitamin blend, including Niacin (50mg) and Folate (667mcg DFE), at a remarkably low price per serving ($0.08 vs C4's $0.93), making it a cost-effective way to get essential B vitamins beyond what C4 offers.
95 Performance

Methylfolate 1333 mcg DFE (800 mcg (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) Orange Flavor

Country Life
4.8
★★★★★
(807 ratings)
This alternative provides a significantly higher dose of folate (1333mcg DFE vs C4's 250mcg) in its active and more bioavailable methylfolate form, ensuring better absorption and utilization for critical bodily functions compared to the folic acid in C4.
90 Performance

GH Max

Universal
4.6
★★★★★
(1512 ratings)
With 5 grams of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, this product offers five times the dosage of AAKG compared to C4 Original (5g vs 1g), providing a much more potent effect for nitric oxide production and enhanced muscle pumps.
90 Performance

Niacinamide 500 mg

NOW
4.7
★★★★★
(8865 ratings)
Delivers a substantial 500mg dose of Niacinamide, far exceeding C4's 30mg, which is beneficial for more pronounced effects on cellular energy production and overall metabolic health without the typical niacin flush.
90 Budget

Folic Acid 800 mcg

Spring Valley
4.8
★★★★★
(878 ratings)
Offers a substantial dose of Folic Acid (800mcg vs C4's 250mcg) at an exceptionally low price per serving ($0.01 vs C4's $0.93), making it vastly more economical for Folate supplementation.
85 Budget

Niacin 100 mg

21st Century
4.6
★★★★★
(3653 ratings)
Provides a much higher dose of Niacin (100mg vs C4's 30mg) for a mere fraction of C4's price per serving ($0.02 vs $0.93), delivering excellent value for focused Niacin intake.
75 Budget

Arginine AKG 1 gram

Swanson
4.4
★★★★★
(249 ratings)
Delivers the identical Arginine AKG dosage (1g) found in C4 Original at a significantly lower cost per serving ($0.14 vs $0.93), providing similar benefits for blood flow and nitric oxide support more cost-effectively.
88 Value

Niacin 500 mg

NOW
4.6
★★★★★
(8550 ratings)
Offers a high dose of Niacin (500mg vs C4's 30mg) at a very low price per serving ($0.06 vs C4's $0.93), providing excellent bang for your buck if you are primarily looking for a significant Niacin boost.
85 Value

B-Complex 50

Solaray
4.7
★★★★★
(6795 ratings)
This B-complex provides a good combination of Niacin (50mg) and a decent dose of Folic Acid (680mcg), offering broader B-vitamin support at a very competitive price per serving ($0.13 vs C4's $0.93).
87 Value

B-50 Complex

21st Century
4.7
★★★★★
(8446 ratings)
Delivers a potent B-vitamin blend, including Niacin (50mg) and Folate (667mcg DFE), at a remarkably low price per serving ($0.08 vs C4's $0.93), making it a cost-effective way to get essential B vitamins beyond what C4 offers.
95 Performance

Methylfolate 1333 mcg DFE (800 mcg (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) Orange Flavor

Country Life
4.8
★★★★★
(807 ratings)
This alternative provides a significantly higher dose of folate (1333mcg DFE vs C4's 250mcg) in its active and more bioavailable methylfolate form, ensuring better absorption and utilization for critical bodily functions compared to the folic acid in C4.
90 Performance

GH Max

Universal
4.6
★★★★★
(1512 ratings)
With 5 grams of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, this product offers five times the dosage of AAKG compared to C4 Original (5g vs 1g), providing a much more potent effect for nitric oxide production and enhanced muscle pumps.
90 Performance

Niacinamide 500 mg

NOW
4.7
★★★★★
(8865 ratings)
Delivers a substantial 500mg dose of Niacinamide, far exceeding C4's 30mg, which is beneficial for more pronounced effects on cellular energy production and overall metabolic health without the typical niacin flush.