Also known as: l-citrulline, citrulline, CM
Latest evidence update: 2025-08-28
Strongest in Consistency (73). Held back by Recency (28).
Solid mix of RCTs with some methodological gaps.
Good cross-study replication, some imprecision.
Thousands of participants across the literature.
Mostly aligned, with some divergence.
Mostly pre-2020 research; updates may be needed.
No per-outcome numbers yet for this one. Each finding's direction and strength is shown in the research below.
Areas where research points to a consistent direction of effect. The strength of evidence is graded; the size of the effect is not quantified.
Taken before training, citrulline modestly increases total resistance-training repetitions to failure.
Citrulline before exercise lowers perceived exertion and can ease muscle soreness in the first day after training.
Across trials, citrulline does not meaningfully improve muscle strength.
Citrulline does not improve endurance performance, whether measured as time to exhaustion or time to completion.
Recommended: 8g citrulline malate (~4g L-citrulline) 60 min pre-exercise
Citrulline Malate is a form of L-Citrulline. The studies above are specifically about Citrulline Malate; broader l-citrulline research differs in dose and bioavailability and lives on the parent page.
See all L-Citrullineresearch →ProtocolEngine provides general health information based on published research. This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or health protocol.
Citrulline has no significant effect on resting blood pressure.