What Makes A Pre-workout Natural?

Coconut water is nature’s rehydration drink of choice. Coconut water is high in electrolytes, particularly potassium. Many folks feel nauseated when they use typical sports drinks to rehydrate because they’re high in sugar. That’s why we use coconut water, which studies show may be associated with less stomach upset when used for exercise rehydration as compared to sugar-filled beverages. One study also found that coconut water may be easier to absorb than those sugary drinks.

We include green, unroasted coffee beans in Renewable Energy because they’re rich in a group of antioxidants known as chlorogenic acids that are degraded by the roasting process. These antioxidants may protect DNA from damage. Studies have shown that supplementing with green coffee may be associated with reduced triglycerides, lower blood pressure, and even a better mood.

Yerba Mate is a South American plant whose leaves contain caffeine, similar to tea. Studies suggest that yerba mate may improve exercise performance by helping to increase fatty acid oxidation. Additional research into yerba mate’s effect on exercise suggest that yerba mate may also help improve focus, concentration, and satiety when exercising. In addition to having caffeine and chlorogenic acid, which are also found in coffee, yerba mate is rich in saponins and polyphenols, including the antioxidants quercetin and rutin.

Ever noticed how after you eat a pomegranate your mouth feels a little dry? That sensation comes from phenolic compounds in pomegranates called ellagitannins. These ellagitannins (in addition to other anthocyanins and flavonoids) have antioxidant activity in the body and are why pomegranates have been shown to have 3x more antioxidant capacity than green tea. Pomegranates have been researched for their potential to help lower blood pressure and reduce swelling and pain in the joints associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies also suggest that consuming pomegranate may increase endurance during exercise.

The beautiful red beet gets its color from betalains (important antioxidants) and is ideal as an energy booster. Studies suggest that drinking beet juice may be associated with improved V02 max (a marker of exercise endurance) and cycling performance. Consuming beets may also have a blood pressure-lowering effect because they’re rich in nitrates. Research suggests that these naturally-occurring nitrates may have the added benefit of increasing exercise endurance.

Rhodiola is an adaptogen that hails from Russia and Scandinavia and has been used traditionally for its anti-fatigue and endurance-boosting qualities. In general, rhodiola may support your body’s ability to handle stress, fatigue, and symptoms of depression. We include rhodiola in Renewable Energy because it may protect against inflammation and muscle damage after exercise. Taking rhodiola may also be associated with improved endurance by lowering the heart rate and reducing perceived effort during exercise.

Maca is a tuber that grows in Peru and has been traditionally used in the Andes to balance hormones and boost stamina. Though maca doesn’t directly contain any estrogenic or hormone compounds, the plant sterols may be associated with supporting the body’s natural balance of healthy hormone levels. Maca is also a good source of minerals like iron and calcium.

Stevia leaves have been traditionally used in South American cultures for their sweet taste. That sweet flavor comes from steviol glycosides that are 50-400 times sweeter than sucrose and provide sweetness without the calories associated with sugar. Another benefit over sugar: it’s estimated that stevia’s carbon footprint is 64% lower than cane sugar’s. We use a hint of organic stevia to brighten the flavors in our pre-workout powder.

Ginseng is a powerful root used in traditional Korean and Chinese Medicine for hundreds (if not thousands) of years. In addition to having potential immunostimulating and antioxidant properties, ginseng is known and used as an adaptogen to help reduce the burden of stress on your body. We love it in Renewable Energy because taking ginseng may be associated with reduced fatigue and markers of muscle damage after exercise.

We use coconut sugar because it’s an environmentally-friendly sweetener: collecting the sap doesn’t require coconut trees to be cut down. Every tree that remains standing can prevent soil erosion. Coconut sugar also contains trace micronutrients and has a lower glycemic index compared to conventional table sugar.

Our lemon flavor meets the criteria for organic and non-GMO certification. All the flavor, but no puckering.

Monk fruit has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine both for its sweet taste and its potential benefits. Mogroside V, the active ingredient in monk fruit, is 100-250 times sweeter than sucrose and provides a sweet taste without having any calories or impacts on blood sugar levels. Mogroside extracts are also being studied for their potential antioxidant activity.

For the perfect flavor component, we use non-GMO and organic methods to extract the essence of raspberry. It’s like you’re eating a raspberry – but since this is pre-workout – it’s like you’re eating a raspberry that just had a cup of coffee.

Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that is particularly useful for helping your body handle stress. Studies have examined how consuming ashwagandha may help boost mental alertness and improve symptoms of anxiety and stress. Ashwagandha is also being studied for its potential to support better athletic performance and muscle strength.

Raspberries have a delicious flavor, but they also make their way into our pre-workout powder because raspberries are high in fiber, potassium, and polyphenols, little moleclues with antioxidant capabilities. Raspberry’s stellar nutritional profile provides microcnutrients to support you during your toughest workouts.

Matcha is a specialized green tea from Japan that is grown in shady conditions to stimulate chlorophyll production. These bright green leaves are then ground into a powder and consumed whole. You’ve likely heard that green tea is good for you – and it is – particularly due to catechins like epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Studies suggest that matcha has at least 3x the levels of EGCG compared to other green teas. The higher levels of EGCG are important because studies suggest that consuming EGCG may be associated with decreased muscle soreness after resistance training and increased VO2-max, a measure of endurance capacity. Long-term consumption of green tea or EGCG is also associated with lower BMI.