Strawberry Kiwi, the fruity Total War
Strawberry and kiwi is a combination you mainly know from lemonade and ice cream. Redcon1 puts it in Total War, a pre-workout for athletes who are used to caffeine and want to know exactly what they are taking in. Per 14.2-gram scoop, you get 3.2 grams of beta-alanine, 6 grams of citrulline malate, and 320mg of caffeine. Sweet and a little sour, with no sugar in the ingredients list. A 426-gram tub contains 30 scoops.
That tingling feeling after a few minutes
Those drinking Total War for the first time are sometimes startled. After ten minutes, your lips, ears, or fingertips start to tingle. That is called paresthesia, and it comes from the 3.2 grams of beta-alanine. Beta-alanine temporarily stimulates nerve endings in your skin. It is harmless and fades within an hour. Good to know: for many people, the tingling sensation decreases the more often they use it.
Citrulline malate 2:1, what does that actually mean
The label says 'Citrulline Malate (2:1 Ratio of L-Citrulline and Malic Acid)'. That ratio tells you how much of the powder is actually citrulline. At 2:1, two-thirds is L-citrulline and one-third is malic acid. So, of the 6 grams, about 4 grams is pure citrulline. At a 1:1 ratio, which you also come across, that would only be 3 grams. The difference lies in that small number after the name. Citrulline itself is an amino acid that your body converts into arginine.
Taurine and red beet, substances from your own kitchen
You actually already know two ingredients in Total War from your plate. Red beet provides 1 gram of extract here, with natural nitrate. Taurine (1 gram) is found in fish, shellfish, and meat, and your body also produces it. In addition, you will find juniper extract, naringin from grapefruit, piperine from black pepper, and 50mg of theobromine from the cacao family in this pre-workout.
Strawberry Kiwi is the choice if you want something fruity, but not candy-like. Strawberry provides the sweet base, kiwi the fresh edge, and citric acid a light sourness. The formula under that flavor is identical to that of the other Total War flavors. So you are not choosing a different composition, only what you prefer to drink before your first set. And that counts. You often drink a pre-workout at a time when you have just finished work or are still half awake. Then a flavor you simply enjoy helps make it a regular habit. If you are torn between flavors, look mainly at how sour you want it: Strawberry Kiwi is right in the middle, with enough freshness to not be overly sweet.