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C4 Original Cherry Limeade

Cellucor
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(3349 ratings)
Niacin 30 mg
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate 1 Gram(s)
Folate 250 mcg
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Score65
A familiar pre-workout base offers moderate performance support, but several doses are modest. The hidden energy blend is the main weakness because total stimulant exposure cannot be assessed.
How scoring works
Quantity:195 Gram(s) • (30 servings)
Goals:
Energy

Score 65

A familiar pre-workout base offers moderate performance support, but several doses are modest. The hidden energy blend is the main weakness because total stimulant exposure cannot be assessed.
How scoring works
$24.99($0.83 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 29.99
Amazon
$ 24.99
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$ 29.99
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Analysis

CarnoSyn beta-alanine at 1.6 g may support repeated high-intensity work, but it is about half of a commonly used full daily amount. Creatine nitrate and arginine AAKG are each supplied at 1 g, making them supporting rather than comprehensive performance doses.

Vitamin C, niacinamide, active B6, folate, and methylcobalamin add clearly listed micronutrients. The energy blend is proprietary, so caffeine content and any additional stimulant compounds cannot be verified.

The 30-serving container offers reasonable short-supply value for users who want a moderate performance base. Caffeine-sensitive users and evening trainees have no reliable way to predict intensity or sleep impact.

Who is it for
  • Regular pre-workout users
  • Adults seeking moderate workout support
  • People who tolerate stimulant blends
Best for
  • Workout energy
  • Muscular endurance support
  • Early-day training

Pros

  • Uses branded CarnoSyn beta-alanine
  • Includes creatine nitrate and arginine AAKG
  • Uses active B6 and methylcobalamin
  • 30 servings per container

Cons

  • Energy-blend ingredients are hidden
  • Caffeine amount is not disclosed
  • Beta-alanine amount is modest
  • Creatine nitrate and arginine AAKG are lightly dosed

Warnings

  • The proprietary energy blend may contain enough stimulant activity to cause jitters, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, or lost sleep.
  • Avoid stacking it with coffee, energy drinks, or other pre-workouts because total caffeine exposure is not disclosed.
  • Beta-alanine may cause temporary tingling or skin prickling, even at the 1.6 g amount.

Nutrient quality

68 High impact

Several useful forms and disclosed performance actives fit acute exercise energy. Modest beta-alanine, creatine nitrate, and AAKG amounts plus hidden stimulant dosing limit depth and safety confidence.

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Ingredient transparency

55 Moderate impact

Most visible actives have amounts, but the energy blend hides its stimulant identity and doses. Complete use directions and non-active powder ingredients are not supplied.

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Customer satisfaction

69 High impact

The supplied average is favorable, and the rating count is very large. Specific firsthand feedback is absent, so recurring complaints and purpose fit cannot be assessed.

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Value for money

72 High impact

The serving cost is reasonable for several disclosed performance actives. Hidden stimulant dosing prevents a stronger value judgment.

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Report analysis

Goals

Energy
Impact
High effect
A- Goal FitD+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageB- Formula Quality
Vitamin B12 · 35 mcgCreatine · 1 Gram(s)

Beta-alanine, creatine nitrate, AAKG, B vitamins, and an energy blend target exercise performance and acute alertness through several routes. The concept fits a pre-workout use case, but the disclosed beta-alanine, creatine, and AAKG amounts are modest compared with commonly effective standalone doses.

Methylcobalamin and pyridoxal 5-phosphate are favorable vitamin forms, while the energy blend hides the identities and amounts of its components. Stimulant-sensitive users cannot judge their exposure from that proprietary blend, which raises a practical risk of unwanted stimulation.

Study evidence
Creatine Supportive 49 studies

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
Report overview
Niacin (Niacinamide) · 30 mg OverallScore58
C+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

Niacinamide is clearly disclosed but serves as a supporting nutrient in this pre-workout. The modest amount and ordinary powder delivery offer no special niacin advantage. Performance ingredients dominate the formula, leaving poor value for buyers seeking B3 specifically.

D+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityD+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD- Value

The AAKG form is generic and does not confirm the preferred L-isomer or molecular ratio. The clearly disclosed amount matches the collection median but remains below the performance-focused range. Cost efficiency is moderate for the active amount delivered.

Folate · 250 mcg OverallScore32
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityD+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

The 250 mcg serving uses synthetic folic acid, which requires more conversion than active folate forms. Missing DFE conversion weakens label transparency. Methylcobalamin is present above the preferred threshold, but the pre-workout formula is not a focused folate supplement.

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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and effects on exercise performance of L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate in trained adult men
    Bill Campbell, Mike Roberts, Chad Kerksick, Colin Wilborn, Brandon Marcello, Lem Taylor, Erika Nassar, Brian Leutholtz, Rodney Bowden, Chris Rasmussen, Mike Greenwood, Richard Kreider · Nutrition · 2006
    Randomized trial35 participantsEnergy forArginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
  2. Synergistic effects of creatine, carbs, protein on repeated sprint performance.
    Wang Y; Wei H; Cheng X; Chen Z · Scientific reports · 2026
    Randomized trial60 participantsEnergy forCreatine
  3. The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Recovery from Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Considering Sex and Age Differences.
    Yamaguchi S; Inami T; Nishioka T; Morito A; Ishiyama K; Murayama M · Nutrients · 2025
    Randomized trial40 participantsEnergy forCreatine
  4. The Effect of Prior Creatine Intake for 28 Days on Accelerated Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    Yamaguchi S; Inami T; Ishida H; Morito A; Yamada S; Nagata N; Murayama M · Nutrients · 2024
    Randomized trial20 participantsEnergy forCreatine
  5. Creatine supplementation attenuates the rate of fatigue development during intermittent isometric exercise performed above end-test torque.
    Abdalla LHP; Broxterman RM; Greco CC; Denadai BS · Experimental physiology · 2021
    Randomized trial16 participantsEnergy forCreatine
  6. The effect of continuous low dose creatine supplementation on force, power, and total work.
    Burke DG; Silver S; Holt LE; Smith Palmer T; Culligan CJ; Chilibeck PD · International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism · 2000
    Randomized trial41 participantsEnergy forCreatine