Apollon Nutrition Reformulates Bloody Hooligan

Beta Alanine – 6,400mg

Beta Alanine is one of the most well studied ingredients in sports and active nutrition. It gets its clout from its ability to cause the tingling and itchyness of the skin. This is called Paresthesia. This, however, is not the benefit from Beta Alanine. The real benefit of supplementing with Beta Alanine is the fact it can improve muscular endurance and aid in preventing DOMS (delayed on-set muscle soreness) by buffering lactic acid which can cause muscle breakdown, fatigue, failure and soreness. We typically see this dosed at 3.2g, which is what you’d get with the 1/2 scoop serving size, but recently we’ve seen several formulas with the 6.4g dosage. 

The original formula dose was 3,200mg

Creatine Monohydrate – 5,000mg

What might be the single most important ingredient in the history of the category, Creatine Monohydrate is also the most well-studied and proven ingredient. Creatine Monohydrate is dosed at 5g per a full scoop serving. Creatine Monohydrate in a pre-workout is beneficial for several reasons. The first is Creatine plays a roll in ATP production. Creatine enhances the energy produced by the Krebs cycle by acting as a rapid ATP regeneration system. Creatine Monohydrate has also been shown, when used daily, to help improve lean body mass, reduce body fat and support cognition. The recommended dosage of Creatine Monohydrate is 5g daily.

This was not included in the original formula.

Betaine Anhydrous – 5,000mg

Betaine Anhydrous is a popular ingredient used in pre-workouts. The 5g dosage is one of the largest we’ve seen in a single scoop pre-workout. 

Betaine Anhydrous helps with more intercellular hydration. With have more hydration in your muscle cells betaine anhydrous can help with your overall power output, stimulate water-based pumps, protein synthesis, and general overall hydration. Even though this not a very well-known ingredient to the general public, the usage of Betaine Anhydrous can help improve your overall workout performance. With Betaine Anhydrous being used for several other benefits you may find suggestions of using 2,500-6,000mg throughout the day. The 5,000mg dosage is double what is available in the everyday version of Bare Knuckle.

The original formula dose was only 2,500mg.

L-Tyrosine – 3,000mg

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid known to aid in improving cognition (focus, attention and memory). Tyrosine is an essential component for the production of several important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This can lead to help keeping your focus up in the weight room. With dosages per day varied dependent on the weight of the user. Tyrosine is a nice add at 3,000mg to help improve mind-muscle connection. The 3,000mg dosage is the same as the current everyday offering.

The original formula dose was 2,000mg.

Taurine – 3,000mg

Another amino acid, taurine, is highly prevalent in electrically active tissue. Taurine has a wide range of benefits; it is considered an osmoregulator and controls fluid volume within cells. It also regulates calcium homeostasis; calcium is an electrolyte that plays a critical role in muscular contractions. Taurine also plays a role in overall cardiovascular health by promoting vasodilation via reducing production of angiotensin II. By prioritizing the use of fat for fuel, taurine has been shown to enhance endurance training.

This was not included in the original formula. 

Nitrosigine – 1,500mg

Apollon Nutrition elected to go with 1,500mg of Nitrosigine from Nutrition 21 instead of Citrulline Malate like some other companies. Nitrosigine has been shown to work as well as 8g of Citrulline Malate in terms of blood production in the body. Studies show that Nitrosigine can aid in improving blood flow (the pump), performance and cognition. The 1,500mg dosage of Nitrosigine is the clinically studied and accepted dose.

The original formula dose was the same 1,500mg we have here.

Alpha-GPC – 1,000mg

Alpha-GPC is one of the most credible forms of choline you can get in a dietary supplement. Users want to get at least 300mg of active Alpha-GPC. The 1,000mg dose of Alpha-GPC yields 50% Alpha-GPC so users will get 500mg of active Alpha-GPC. Alpha-GPC has been proven to improve cognition which is memory, focus, attention and even mood and alertness. 

The original formula dose was only 600mg.

CellFlo6 – 600mg

Grean Tea Extract is what CellFlo6 is. This ingredient comes from an industry veteran who understands the blood flow pathways better than most. Grean Tea Extract contains catechins like epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which has been shown to improve blood flow and cardiovascular function. CellFlo6 can increase nitric oxide production in the blood vessels, which can help relax and widen them. This improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure overall. We typically see this ingredient dosed between 200-400mg. The 600mg dosage of CellFlo6 is one of the biggest we’ve ever seen.

The original formula dose was the same 600mg we see here. 

Theobromine – 600mg

Theobromine is a xanthine derivative found in cocoa beans that is used to enhance energy and elevate mood. It is similar to caffeine, but unlike caffeine, does not effect sleep scores to the extent of caffeine. Theobromine is typically used to provide longer lasting energy and pairs very well with caffeine. It also has been shown to play a role in insulin response, increases HDL (good cholesterol), and reduces blood pressure. 600mg is quite a hefty dose, as most pre-workout these days typically use between 200-400mg.

The original formula dose was just 500mg which is barely less than we have here in the new formula.

VasoDrive-AP – 508mg

VasoDrive-AP is hydrolyzed casein peptides that allow the pump to last longer. VasoDrive-AP works by supporting arterial elasticity by inhibiting an enzyme that leads to the constriction of blood vessels. The typcial dosage we see is 254mg, some brands have elected to go to over  500mg which is where it should be dosed.

The original formula dose was the same 508mg we have here in the new formula.

Himalayan Pink Salt – 500mg

Apollon Nutrition has added 500mg of Himalayan Pink Salt to aid in electrolyte balance and water retention. This is key when you exercise because you deplete salts. Salts are important for overall hydration and muscle contraction.

The original formula dose was just 300mg which is just under the dose we have here in the new formula.

Grape Seed Extract – 400mg

Grape Seed Extract is rich in proanthocyanidins and tannins that are typically used in supplements to enhance blood flow and overall health. Grape Seed Extract poses antioxidant properties, which promotes endothelial relaxation and ultimately, expands blood vessels. This expansion in blood vessels, also known as vasodilation, helps to enhance blood flow. Grape Seed Extract has been show to reduce inflammation and negative effects of stress on the mind and body. This makes Grape Seed Extract an exceptional ingredient for overall health and valuable inclusion within a pre-workout formula. 

The original formula dose was just 400mg which is the same as we have here in the new formula.

Caffeine Anhydrous – 350mg

Everyone’s favorite energy-providing, focus enhancing ingredient! This central nervous stimulant is well known throughout the industry; it is the purest caffeine source on the planet and enhances energy levels, focus, thermogenesis, and performance in the gym. It is backed my many studies and potentially the most consumed supplement in the world. While there are several forms of caffeine present in pre-workouts (ex. this is one of three caffeine sources within this formula), caffeine anhydrous is easily the most popular. And 350mg yielding 350mg caffeine… a hefty dose for sure.

The original formula dose was a whopping 450mg which a lot more than we have here in the new formula and not recommended for all consumers.

Di-Caffeine Malate – 200mg

Oh look, another caffeine source! Di-caffeine malate is the second caffeine source present in Bloody Hooligan; it provides longer lasting energy and is 75% caffeine by mass. At 200mg, this provides another 150mg caffeine. Di-caffeine malate helps to offset that ever-so-dreaded crash many experience post workout. It poses similar benefit to caffeine anhydrous, boosting energy, thermogenesis, and focus.

The original formula dose was also at 200mg which is exactly the same as we have here in the new formula.

CognatiQ – 100mg

Bloody Hooligan also features a clinical dose of CognatiQ at 100mg to increase BDNF levels. BDNF serves as a neurotransmitter neuromodulator that plays a role in neuronal plasticity, which is essential for memory and learning. Studies conclude that BDNF enhances neuronal growth and also modulates dendritic growth. To stack on to that, BDNF also plays a role in overall health by protecting the heart and vasculature from disease processes along with aiding in prevention of neurological diseases.

This was not included in the original formula, but a version of Coffee Arabica from CoffeeBerry was included at 100mg. 

AstraGin – 50mg

AstraGin is used across the board of products from Apollon Nutrition. It helps your body absorb and use more of the ingredients dosed in this formula. It also can help improve gut health. Any product that enhances absorbtion rates is highly beneficial.

This is the same 50mg dose we had in the original formula.