The Best Nitric Oxide Supplements for Vegans Including Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and FAQ
Nitric oxide is a simple but essential molecule produced by every cell in the human body, and you’ve probably never heard of it before. Nitric oxide is also known as a vasodilator, which means it helps to relax and widen blood vessels.
Why is that good? Because it means nitric oxide can increase blood flow and lower your blood pressure simultaneously. This can effectively boost physical performance, which is why nitric oxide is one of the most popular sports supplements.
The supplements don’t actually contain nitric oxide. They’re specially designed to promote the production of nitric oxide in the body. A common precursor is the essential amino acid, L-Arginine.
Nitric oxide isn’t just useful for improving blood flow, it can also improve strength, and boost sexual performance for men fighting against erectile dysfunction.
In this article, I have ranked the best nitric oxide supplements for vegans on the market and will provide some general info about the benefits and usage of nitric oxide.
The Top-7 Nitric Oxide Supplements for Vegan
Here are the best vegan nitric oxide supplements available right now. Each has been ranked based on its quality, brand reputability, and customer experience.
1. HumanN BeetElite Superfood
HumanN BeetElite has actually been clinically studied. In the study, they found that there was an overall 17.9% increase in the endurance of the participants involved.
This product is used by elite athletes worldwide and is made up of nitric oxide, promoting ingredients beetroot powder and fermented beetroot powder.
HumanN BeetElite is an innovative and groundbreaking supplement for those looking to increase physical performance or boost blood flow.
Each batch of this supplement is tested for and guaranteed to be free of more than 220+ prohibited substances recognized globally. It’s also gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan friendly. The customer reviews speak for themselves with 4.5 stars from nearly 1500 reviews.
Customers report increased endurance, improved blood flow, and superior physical performance.
2. Zhou Nutrition Nitric Oxide
Zhou is a potent mix of L Arginine, Citrulline Malate, L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG), and Beetroot powder. This potent combination is why Zhou is my number one nitric oxide supplement.
I especially like the use of Citrulline Malate to reduce muscle soreness in human trials by up to 40% compared to those who took a placebo.
Zhou also creates its product to an extremely high standard in a GMP-Certified facility, is Lab-Verified, and certified non-GMO.
Customers report Zhou as being an excellent vasodilator and energy booster. Many reports increased performance in the gym and on the track.
3. Nitric Charge Nitric Oxide
Made in the USA, Nitric Charge only uses the best ingredients and is produced in a GMP-Certified facility. Using the power of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline, Nitric Charge is excellent for improving blood flow and maintaining good nitric oxide production.
The powerful combination of L-Arginine, L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate, and L-Citrulline Malate is perfect for giving you a serious boost in energy and improved physical performance.
I also like the addition of pine bark extract, which has been shown to reduce muscle soreness and lower blood pressure. The grape seed extract is also included, which helps to improve circulation.
Positive customer reviews are in abundance and note particular improvements in both energy and stamina.
4. Evlution Nutrition Beet Mode
Time to go into beast mode with Evlution Beet Mode! This product uses concentrated beet crystals to boost performance and endurance, taking you to the next level.
Beets have been studied and shown to effectively improve blood flow. This product has been specially designed for superior absorbability to enable a much quicker scourge of energy for its customers.
Evlution has used both normal and fermented beetroot powder and the natural flavor of cherry to taste good. All ingredients are US-grown and non-GMO. Customer reviews report that it is an excellent pre-workout supplement delivering powerful increases in energy and endurance.
5. Snap Supplements Nitric Oxide Beets
Snap Supplements uses a monster combination of L-Arginine, L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate, L-Arginine HCL, and L-Citrulline to deliver a serious nitric oxide boosting supplement.
I like the fact it also includes an amino acid boost support blend, including L-Taurine, L-Norvaline, and Vanadyl Sulfate. Amino acids are the building blocks of muscle, and this little boost helps to maximize your workout even more.
Snap has also included a special stamina surge blend designed to boost endurance and keep you working for longer. This product is particularly popular among serious gym goers who are after significant gains.
My only issue with this product is the lack of testing, certification, and accreditations that others proudly shout about.
6. Nature's Pure Blend Nitric Oxide
Nature’s Pure Blend has gone for a slightly different approach. They use a combination of L-Arginine HCI, L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate, L-Citrulline, and L-Citrulline Malate. This has been specially formulated to deliver a fast-acting energy-inducing effect.
Nature’s Pure Blend is proud of its ingredients, which are not tainted with nasty fillers, preservatives, chemicals, or other artificial ingredients. All ingredients are, in fact, natural and include clinically proven dosages that have been shown to support blood pressure, circulation, and muscle recovery.
Customer reviews are very positive, with many reporting improving blood pressure, increasing energy, and quick recovery from physical activity.
7. SILVERONYNX Extra Strength Nitric Oxide
SILVERONYNX has taken things to the next level to bring an extra-strength nitric oxide boosting supplement to the market. This product uses a potent combination of L-Arginine, L-Arginine HCI, L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate, L-Citrulline, L-Citrulline Malate, and Beta-Alanine.
The focus here is for weightlifters and bodybuilders. This powerful nitric oxide supplement is designed to lift more weight, and longer make serious muscle mass gains.
Each serving provided 800mg of L-Arginine in its various forms, 400mg of L-Citrulline, and 80mg of Beta-Alanine, which studies have shown increases muscle endurance during high-intensity training.
Customer reviews are very positive, with most reporting that it has helped reach new performance levels, lift more weight, and make significant muscle gains.
What is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric oxide is a compound found in the body that allows blood vessels to expand. It also helps to stimulate the release of various hormones, such as insulin.
Nitric oxide is a relatively unstable molecule that quickly degrades and, therefore, must be continuously replenished. You can increase the production of nitric oxide naturally by:
- Eating vegetables high in nitrates (celery, cress, lettuce, beetroot, and spinach).
- Increase your intake of antioxidants (vitamin C and E, polyphenols, and glutathione).
- Don’t use too much mouthwash as it kills the beneficial bacteria that help produce nitric oxide.
- Exercise regularly to get the blood flowing.
To further help promote nitric oxide production, people are choosing to use supplements like the ones listed in this article. While the supplements don’t contain nitric oxide, they typically include the amino acids L-Arginine and L-citrulline.
These two amino acids both help to promote the increased production of nitric oxide in your body.
Common Ingredients in Nitric Oxide Supplements
No nitric oxide supplement actually contains nitric oxide as it is only produced in the body on a cellular level. Therefore, nitric oxide supplements typically use ingredients that are precursors to the production of nitric oxide.
L-Arginine
L-Arginine is an essential amino acid, and it directly produces nitric oxide in a process named L-arginine-NO pathway. There have been many studies that have shown that L-Arginine is useful for increasing blood flow.
The theory that L-Arginine improves physical performance is still up for debate with mixed findings from several studies. However, people who use L-Arginine supplements report that they feel a noticeable difference in their performance.
L-Citrulline
L-Citrulline is a dispensable amino acid produced as a by-product when L-Arginine is converted to nitric oxide. Your body then amazingly recycles the L-Citrulline back into L-Arginine to be used again to produce nitric oxide.
Some studies even suggest that supplementing L-Citrulline is more effective at producing L-Arginine than directly taking an L-Arginine supplement. Several studies have found L-Citrulline to be useful for increasing blood flow, improving physical performance, and lowering blood pressure.
Beetroot
Beetroot has been extensively studied and consistently linked with improved blood flow, heart health, and an excellent treatment for diabetes, and digestion issues. Beets have also been proven to help boost physical performance and endurance.
So, beetroot has become a popular ingredient for nitric oxide supplements. Beets are also packed full of nutrients and antioxidants that are great for overall health.
Evidence-Based Benefits of Supplementing Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide supplements have been found to offer some excellent benefits to those who take them regularly. Research is still limited, but most medical professionals agree that these supplements can support improved physical performance.
Boost Physical Exercise Performance
Because nitric oxide supplements promote the widening of blood vessels, this allows those blood cells to carry more nutrients and oxygen to your muscles during exercise.
The more oxygen delivered to your muscles, the more energy and endurance you will have. This is why nitric oxide supplements are now popular among athletes, elite runners, and regulars at the gym.
The inclusion of ingredients such as nitrate, L-Arginine, and L-Citrulline increases the production of nitric oxide on the cellular level.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Some studies have found that those who suffer from high blood pressure may actually have an impairment that prevents the natural production of nitric oxide in their blood vessels.
Therefore, supplementing with nitric oxide helps this impairment by encouraging more production of nitric oxide. This is an important finding because high blood pressure can lead to health issues in the future if not dealt with.
Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
This one is for the guys. If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED), then a nitric oxide supplement may help you. Because it widens the blood vessels and improves blood flow, it allows more blood to flow to the penis, supporting a healthy erection.
Not only does it help achieve a good erection, but it can also help maintain it during sexual intercourse. Nitric supplements using L-Citrulline are best suited for helping with ED. Studies have shown L-Citrulline was useful for ED improving the success rate and hardness.
Help Decrease Muscle Pain and Boost Recovery Time
You may hear vegan athletes often praise their diet for helping them recover from intense exercise. A diet high in fruits and vegetables has been repeatedly found to increase blood flow and improve recovery.
More importantly, the diet helps increase nitric oxide production, which then improves blood flow to help with recovering muscles quicker. Supplementing nitric oxide can further help with muscle soreness and recovery by promoting increased production of nitric acid.
May Help People with Type-2 Diabetes
Some studies have shown that those with type-2 diabetes have impaired nitric oxide production. One particular study found that people with type-2 diabetes who supplemented L-Arginine saw an increase in nitric oxide production, which led to increased insulin sensitivity.
The increased insulin sensitivity allowed for better blood sugar regulation.
How Much Nitric Oxide Should You Take?
The dosage for nitric oxide supplements is relatively vague, as there is not much research on the supplement. It’s believed that if you’re taking a nitric oxide supplement using beetroot extract that you will need 500mg of nitrates per serving for the best results.
Research suggests that if you’re getting nitrates from beetroot powder, you want at least 500 mg of nitrates per serving to get the optimal effect.
If your nitric oxide supplement uses L-Arginine, you will want anything from 3-8g per day for the best results. But results will differ from person to person. It’s always best to start off on a low dosage and work your way up, checking how you feel along the way.
Currently, there are no set dosages for L-Citrulline. Most studies on L-Citrulline are trying to observe the effects on those with heart disease, and they use up to 8g per day. Again, start low and see how you feel.
Always follow the recommendations of the supplement you have bought and do not exceed the daily dosage.
Side Effects of Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide supplements are generally very safe to take when the manufacturer’s instructions and doses are correctly followed.
However, there are some warnings to be aware of:
- L-Arginine – no more than 10g per day, or you risk severe stomach discomfort and possibly diarrhea.
- L-Citrulline – Don’t supplement if taking nitrates for heart disease or ED drugs such as Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra.
- Beetroot Juice Supplements – will turn your urine and stool dark red, don’t panic. This is normal.
It’s always best to get advice from your doctor or a medical professional before taking any supplements.
Final Thoughts
Nitric oxide supplements are beneficial for improving blood flow and boosting physical performance. Ensure that the supplement you buy is vegan-friendly, watch out for any gelatin capsules, and always follow the brand instruction for use and dosage.
A nitric oxide supplement can be a great addition to your diet or workout routine. Let me know if you decide to take a nitric oxide supplement and your experience using it.
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