There are many ingredients in muscle-building supplements on the market, such as creatine monohydrate, protein powder, IBCAA, etc. Today, Nutri Avenue would like to focus on the effects of Epicatechin powder and creatine monohydrate on muscles.
Does Epicatechin Help Muscle Growth?
Epicatechin has been studied for increasing nitric oxide levels in the body. Nitric oxide is a molecule responsible for telling blood vessels to relax. This process is called vasodilation. It promotes better blood flow and circulation around the body, thereby increasing the transport of oxygen and nutrients through the blood, which can positively impact athletic performance. Increased muscle endurance, strength, recovery, and growth may all result from increased nitric oxide levels leading to increased vasodilation.
Epicatechin increases nitric oxide by inhibiting the breaking down of nitric oxide in the blood. The less nitric oxide is broken down, the less nitric oxide is available in the blood, leading to increased vasodilation and the performance benefits of increased vasodilation.
Epicatechin’s main claim to fame is its suggested ability to inhibit myostatin and thus upregulate Follistatin. Myostatin and Follistatin are called Myokines. It is released and produced by muscle cells. Myostatin acts as a regulator/inhibitor of muscle growth, limiting the amount of muscle growth. Follistatin, on the other hand, promotes muscle growth because it blocks myostatin signaling. Myostatin and Follistatin act proportionally and synergistically. As Follistatin increases, the regulatory capacity of myostatin is inhibited by the increase in Follistatin.
Epicatechin is a natural plant flavanol compound. It naturally exists in the dry leaves of the Theaceae plant tea and is the main body of physiologically active substances in green tea extract. Epicatelean® is the trademarked product of Epicatechin powder from Nutri Avenue.
Creatine Monohydrate Powder: Traditional Supplement Ingredient For Muscle Growth
Vitamin Shoppe’s 2023 Health and Wellness Trends Report shows that sales of creatine products in the U.S. market will increase by more than 160% in 2022 and by another 23% in April 2023.
SPINS data supports this growing trend. Data shows that in the 52 weeks ending in March 2023, U.S. creatine product sales increased by more than 120%. Creatine experienced double-digit growth in the mainstream supplement channel’s functional and energy product categories during the 52 weeks ending December 3, 2023. Among them, it increased by 46% in the performance category and 20% in the energy support category.
Creatine is a nitrogen-containing organic acid. Its chemical formula is C4H9N3O2. It is a derivative of amino acids. Research has found that creatine has a close connection with muscle tissue and plays an important role in energy supply in the human body, especially for muscles and nerve cells. Creatine is mainly stored in skeletal muscle cells and is key in maintaining muscle strength and promoting muscle recovery. Creatine is widely used among athletes to improve athletic performance and muscle mass.
Creatine Monohydrate Trend
Traditionally, creatine has been favored primarily by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts for its ability to rapidly increase muscle strength, improve fatigue recovery, and enhance explosive power. However, as new research emerged, the applications of creatine gradually expanded, attracting more consumers.
Research shows that creatine has health benefits in healthy aging, brain health, and muscle loss in older adults. It has led women, elderly consumers, and even vegetarians to start paying attention to creatine products.
Epicatechin Powder VS Creatine Monohydrate: Which Is Better?
Both are great muscle-building ingredients. Creatine monohydrate was the first ingredient used by professionals such as athletes. Its market recognition is relatively high. Consumer awareness is also wider. Catechin compounds are the main functional components in tea, accounting for 12-24% of the dry mass of tea. Among them is epicatechin. Because it is an element in plant extracts, its safety is more guaranteed. The appeal of natural labels to consumers is gradually increasing.
Therefore, there is no absolute which ingredient is more suitable for building muscle. But if the product wants to be labeled as a natural muscle builder, it is better to try the magical charm of epicatechin powder.
Conclusion
There are many options for muscle-building supplement ingredients, including today’s introduction to epicatechin powder and creatine monohydrate. Their effectiveness has been proven by research and practice. In addition, creatine monohydrate has also been studied for its beneficial effects on brain health. It will further expand the application fields of creatine monohydrate.
Nutri Avenue offers a variety of muscle-building supplement ingredients such as creatine monohydrate powder, epicatechin, IBCAA, protein powder, and more at wholesale prices. Welcome to contact our sales team to know more product details, such as COA and the latest quotation.
