Scivation XTEND RTD Reviews

Ingredients8.4

Effectiveness8.2

Mixability8.3

Value7.7

Taste7.9

Pros

2:1:1 BCAA Ratio
Watermelon flavor tastes great
0 carbs, 0 sugar, 0 calories

Cons

Slightly expensive

8.1Overall Score

Scivation Xtend RTD is a BCAA hydrated supplement designed to improve recovery and hydration during and after exercise.

There are a lot of BCAAs products on the market, usually in the form of powders or capsules. Xtend RTD stand out from the norm because it is a liquid.

I was intrigued by Xtend RTD. I like drink supplement more than powders and try to remain hydrated when I work out.

Xtend RTD also looks like a very versatile supplement. It can be taken while you work out or after. An easy dosage is a win in my book, and Xtend RTD provides that.

Any supplement can be appealing, but if we want to really determine the effectiveness, we have to look at what’s inside.

What Are The Ingredients?

Thankfully, Scivation doesn’t use a proprietary blend to hide the ingredient amounts. Every ingredient is clearly listed with the dosage amount. There are 3 core compounds/blends.

Electrolyte Blend 1170 mg

Electrolytes are minerals in your body that impact overall hydration and muscle function. When you sweat, you lose these minerals, which causes fatigue and makes maintaining proper hydration difficult.

Taking electrolytes before, during, or after exercise has been shown to greatly increase recovery ability, reduce fatigue, and improve the body’s ability to remain properly hydrated. ^[1]

Branched-Chain Amino Acids 7000 mg

Branched-chain amino acids are the most important building blocks for muscle, making up more than 30% of amino acids required for tissue regeneration. BCAAs are very popular with athletes because of their simplicity and effectiveness.

Studies show supplementing with BCAAs during and after exercise reduces delayed-onset muscle soreness and improves muscle growth rate. ^[2]

Most supplements contains a specific ratio of BCAAs. This is because leucine is the most important amino acid, the only one capable of initiating protein synthesis, which leads to muscle growth. Xtend RTD contains a 2:1:1 ratio: 3500 mg of leucine and 1750 mg of both valine and isoleucine.

Citrulline Malate 100 mg

Citrulline malate is a combination of malic acid and the amino acid citrulline. It’s commonly used during exercise because it is easily converted into L-arginine, another amino acid that increases nitric oxide production and blood flow.

Increasing blood flow and nitric oxide gives a burst of power to muscles by delivering more oxygen and nutrients during muscle contraction. This is commonly called a workout “pump.”

In addition to improving your pumps, citrulline malate has also been shown to improve endurance up to 50% and decrease fatigue up to 40%. ^[3]

How Much Does It Cost?

Because Scivation Xtend RTD is a brand-new product, it’s only available through a limited number of retailers, notably The Vitamin Shoppe and the Official Scivation website.

The current retail price is about $41, with shipping, for 12 drinks. This is rather expensive, but I’m not surprised because it’s such a new product.

I expect other stores will soon offer Xtend RTD for cheaper. Personally, I like eSupplements and hope they get Xtend RTD in stock soon; they often offer free shipping and have a good return policy.

Pick It Or Pitch It?

After looking at the details, I still like Scivation Xtend RTD. The ingredients are solid and in proven amounts. The watermelon flavor even tastes good.

As I said, the cost is a bit prohibitive now. I don’t want to pay full, new retail cost. However, I’m planning on getting a case when I can get it from more stores for a better price.

References

[1] “Electrolytes.” MedlinePlus – National Institutes of Health.

[2] Negro M, et al. “Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system.” The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 2008 Sep;48(3):347-51.

[3] Pérez-Guisado J, Jakeman PM. “Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2010 May;24(5):1215-22.