Core Culture Clean Pre: MegaNatural Energy, Focus, and Pump Without the Junk

Core Culture debuts Clean Pre at SupplySide Global 2025 -- a natural pre-workout with 4g fermented citrulline, MalTor taurine-malic acid complex, MegaNatural-BP grape seed extract, and plant-based caffeine. No artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Performance meets clean label standards.

The pre-workout category has exploded with options, but finding one that delivers performance without artificial ingredients remains a challenge. Core Culture's Clean Pre changes that equation with a formula built on premium, science-backed ingredients -- no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.

Making its debut at SupplySide Global 2025 (Booth #4855), Clean Pre showcases what's possible when you combine cutting-edge ingredient technology with a commitment to clean label standards. The formula centers on MegaNatural-BP grape seed extract from PLT Health Solutions, alongside plant-based caffeine from InnovaTea, Cognizin citicoline, and a robust nitric oxide stack that includes fermented L-citrulline and watermelon juice powder standardized to 20% citrulline.

Manufactured at Veritacor, a facility known for quality and innovation (as discussed in Episode #178 of the PricePlow Podcast), and flavored by Sensapure Flavors (watch Episode #149) Clean Pre represents a new standard for what "clean" can deliver in the pre-workout space.

This article digs into the ingredients, and then talks about what makes MegaNatural-BP so special from a sustainability standpoint alongside the rest of the formula. First, check for availability on PricePlow:

Clean Pre Ingredients

Core Culture didn't compromise on dosing to achieve their clean label goals. Here's what's inside each 12-gram scoop:

• L-Citrulline (Fermented) – 4,000mg

  Clean Pre delivers 4 grams of fermented L-citrulline, a clinically-backed dose targeting nitric oxide (NO) production and enhanced blood flow. Unlike its precursor L-arginine, citrulline bypasses first-pass metabolism in the gut and liver, converting to arginine in the kidneys for superior bioavailability.^[1] Research demonstrates that oral citrulline supplementation increases plasma arginine more effectively than equivalent arginine doses, subsequently augmenting NO-dependent signaling.^[1]

  Performance Benefits

  The 4-gram dose aligns with research showing 3-6 grams of L-citrulline improves exercise performance through multiple mechanisms. Studies confirm citrulline supplementation accelerates oxygen uptake kinetics during high-intensity exercise and extends time to exhaustion.^[2] Enhanced NO bioavailability promotes vasodilation, increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to working muscles while facilitating metabolic waste removal.^[3]

  Core Culture amplifies citrulline's benefits by including 1,000mg of watermelon juice powder standardized to 20% citrulline, adding another 200mg and reinforcing the formula's NO-boosting capacity through citrulline's natural food source. Stay tuned, but first, we get to NutriScience USA's masterpiece:

• Maltor™ (Taurine and Malic Acid 2:1) – 2,500mg

  MalTor is the next evolution in recovery technology: a patent-pending complex of taurine and L-malic acid (in a 2:1 ratio) designed to enhance mitochondrial function and accelerate recovery.^[4]

  

  MalTor™ combines taurine and L-malic acid to boost recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and enhance mitochondrial function. Research shows this 2:1 complex significantly improves pain threshold after intense workouts!

  Unlike simple ingredient blends, MalTor uses a proprietary manufacturing process that creates soluble clusters held together by attractive forces, generating synergistic effects not seen with either compound alone.

  Mitochondrial Recovery and Performance

  The combination works through complementary pathways: taurine stabilizes muscle cell membranes and regulates calcium while supporting mitochondrial biogenesis, while L-malic acid directly fuels ATP production through the Krebs cycle and helps buffer lactic acid accumulation.^[4]

  A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial demonstrated MalTor's recovery benefits after just 14 days of supplementation. Participants showed significantly improved pain threshold two days post-exercise compared to placebo, with trends toward better strength preservation following a DOMS-inducing protocol.^[4]

  Clean Pre's pairing of MalTor with 4.2 grams total citrulline creates a synergistic approach to performance: citrulline delivers nutrients through enhanced blood flow while MalTor optimizes how muscles use those nutrients at the mitochondrial level. Why ever use "citrulline malate" when you can opt for this incredible blend that takes taurine to the next level!

  For deeper analysis of the mechanisms and research, see MalTor™: The Performance-Enhancing Taurine-Malic Acid Complex for Mitochondrial Recovery and Episode #166 with Ed Dosz of NutriScience Innovations.

• Beta-Alanine – 2,000mg

  Beta-alanine is the rate-limiting precursor for carnosine synthesis, combining with histidine to form this dipeptide that buffers pH in muscle tissue.^[5] By increasing muscle carnosine concentrations, beta-alanine helps neutralize hydrogen ions that accumulate during intense exercise, delaying fatigue and extending performance capacity.^[5]

  

  Ed Dosz of NutriScience Innovations dives deep into MalTor, a groundbreaking taurine-malic acid complex for enhanced recovery, mitochondrial support, and healthy aging on Episode #166 of the PricePlow Podcast.

  Meta-analyses confirm beta-alanine's ergogenic effects are most pronounced during exercises lasting 30 seconds to 10 minutes -- where anaerobic metabolism drives performance and acidosis limits output.^[6]

  Effective at Two Grams

  While many studies use 3.2-6 grams daily, Clean Pre's 2-gram dose still aligns with research showing meaningful results at lower intakes. One study demonstrated 1.6 grams daily significantly elevated muscle carnosine within two weeks.^[7] Weight-adjusted protocols using 30 milligrams per kilogram (equivalent to 2 grams for individuals under 147 pounds) successfully acutely improved endurance performance in trained athletes.^[8]

• Watermelon Juice Powder (20% Citrulline) – 1,000mg

  Here's where we keep it natural and add more performance benefits -- it's not just MegaNatural-BP bringing the efficacious fruit extracts.

  Core Culture includes 1,000mg of watermelon juice powder standardized to 20% citrulline, delivering an additional 200mg of L-citrulline from its natural source. Combined with the 4 grams of fermented L-citrulline, this brings the total citrulline content to 4.2 grams per serving while reinforcing the formula's clean label approach.

  But there's more than just citrulline here:

  Whole Food Matrix Advantages

  Research demonstrates that L-citrulline bioavailability may be enhanced when consumed as part of a whole food matrix rather than as an isolated compound. An in vitro absorption study using Caco-2 cells found that L-citrulline from natural watermelon juice achieved 18.87% absorption compared to 11.85% for pure L-citrulline.^[9] This 59% increase in absorption percentage suggests the watermelon matrix facilitates superior intestinal uptake through synergistic interactions between L-citrulline and the fruit's other bioactive compounds.

  

  Ever wondered how supplements are made? We got exclusive access to Veritacor Manufacturing -- 210,000 capsules per hour, complex ingredient sourcing, and way more science than you'd expect.

  Performance and Recovery Support

  Beyond citrulline content, watermelon naturally contains carotenoids, polyphenolics, and other phytonutrients that may support exercise recovery. A rat study using 14-day supplementation with watermelon juice showed improved swimming endurance, reduced lactate and ammonia accumulation, and increased nitric oxide production.^[10] In human athletes, watermelon juice supplementation reduced muscle soreness 24 hours post-exercise following high-intensity cycling intervals.^[11]

  The addition of watermelon juice powder creates a complementary citrulline delivery system, combining the concentrated potency of fermented L-citrulline with the enhanced bioavailability and phytonutrient profile of whole fruit extract.

• Caffeine Anhydrous (from InnovaTea™) – 250mg

  Clean Pre delivers 250mg of caffeine from InnovaTea, NutriScience Innovations' naturally sourced alternative to synthetic caffeine anhydrous. Extracted from fermented Camellia sinensis (tea leaves), InnovaTea provides the same molecular structure as synthetic caffeine but comes from a traceable, sustainable source that reinforces the formula's clean label commitment.

  Natural Energy with FDA GRAS Status

  InnovaTea holds FDA GRAS status and meets rigorous quality standards, offering a clean alternative to chemically synthesized caffeine. The 98% purity specification ensures consistent dosing while maintaining the natural origin story that resonates with health-conscious consumers.

  Performance and Focus

  

  Sensapure Flavors predicts major 2025 flavor trends: Aromatics like elderflower and lavender, exotic fruits, and natural spices lead functional beverage innovation. Plus their new OMVE pilot plant changes the development game.

  Caffeine's primary mechanism centers on adenosine receptor antagonism: blocking adenosine from binding to A1 and A2A receptors throughout the brain and peripheral tissues.^[12] This antagonism reduces fatigue perception, elevates alertness, and sharpens reaction time while triggering downstream effects on dopamine and norepinephrine signaling that enhance motivation and cognitive performance.

  Beyond central nervous system stimulation, caffeine improves physical performance through multiple pathways. Research demonstrates caffeine increases fat oxidation during exercise, sparing muscle glycogen for higher-intensity efforts later in training sessions.^[13] Studies also show caffeine enhances muscular strength and power output, with meta-analyses confirming improvements in both resistance training performance and high-intensity exercise capacity.^[14]

  The 250mg dose here sits in the performance-enhancing range without excessive stimulation, creating sustained energy that works synergistically with the formula's nitric oxide support and recovery technologies.

• Citicoline (as Cognizin®) – 250mg

  Clean Pre includes 250mg of Cognizin citicoline, a premium form of CDP-choline that delivers cognitive support through multiple complementary mechanisms. Unlike basic choline supplements, citicoline breaks down into both choline and cytidine -- two compounds that work synergistically to enhance brain function.^[15]

  

  Inside Veritacor Manufacturing: Frank Santos and Derek Curtiss showcase their NSF-certified, GMP-compliant facility and discuss the meticulous processes behind modern supplement manufacturing on Episode #178 of the PricePlow Podcast.

  Dual-Pathway Brain Support

  The choline component serves as a precursor for acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter central to learning, memory, and attention.^[16] Meanwhile, cytidine combines with choline through the Kennedy pathway to synthesize phosphatidylcholine, a critical phospholipid that forms neuronal cell membranes and supports cellular signaling.^[17]

  Citicoline also modulates catecholamine neurotransmitters, supporting healthy dopamine and norepinephrine levels, two neurotransmitters tied to motivation, arousal, and cognitive drive.^[18]

  Validated Cognitive Benefits

  Research demonstrates 250mg citicoline significantly improves attentional performance in healthy adults. A randomized, double-blind study of middle-aged women showed that 28 days of 250mg daily supplementation reduced both omission errors (failures to respond) and commission errors (failures to inhibit responses) on the Continuous Performance Test II, indicating enhanced focus and cognitive control.^[19]

  This dose has been shown to support accuracy, concentration, productivity, and the ability to stay on task, making it an ideal addition to a pre-workout formula designed for both physical and mental performance.^[19]

  For a comprehensive dive into citicoline's mechanisms and research, see Cognizin® Citicoline: The Brain Choline.

• MegaNatural-BP® (Grape Seed Extract) – 150mg

  Need more pumps? They're here:

  

  MegaNatural-BP is a grape seed extract with 9 clinical studies showing it improves blood flow and athletic performance. California-made and clinically effective at 300mg, it's the perfect pre-workout ingredient for better endurance and cardiovascular health.

  Clean Pre includes 150mg of MegaNatural-BP, a clinically-validated grape seed extract from PLT Health Solutions that brings serious cardiovascular support to the pre-workout category. Made in California from unfermented red and white varietal wine grape seeds, this patented ingredient delivers 90-95% total polyphenols, including flavanols like catechin and epicatechin, plus proanthocyanidins (tannins that give grape seed extract its characteristic benefits).

  What sets MegaNatural-BP apart from commodity grape seed extracts is both its unique composition and its extensive clinical validation. With nine human clinical trials to its name, this ingredient has demonstrated benefits ranging from blood pressure support to enhanced athletic performance, making it an ideal complement to Clean Pre's performance-focused formula.

  Athletic Performance & Blood Flow

  MegaNatural-BP's inclusion in a pre-workout makes perfect sense when you look at the exercise research. A 2022 study on elite basketball players found that 300mg daily for 14 days decreased oxygen consumption during high-intensity exercise (at both 80% and 120% of VO2peak), increased time to exhaustion, and improved endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation.^[20]

  Even more impressive, a 2018 study showed that a single 300mg dose of MegaNatural-BP lowered mean arterial pressure during exercise (at both 40% and 60% of VO2peak), increased stroke volume and cardiac output, improved total vascular conductance, and augmented flow-mediated dilation by over 50%.^[21]

  

  MegaNatural-BP gets third-party sustainability validation. California grape seed extract from GALLO's 90-year stewardship program combines clinical benefits with verified environmental practices.

  The researchers attributed these performance benefits to enhanced blood flow and oxygen delivery through improved nitric oxide production and endothelial function... exactly what you want from a pre-workout ingredient. While Clean Pre's 150mg dose is half what these studies used, multiple clinical trials have shown that 150mg daily provides meaningful cardiovascular benefits, making this a solid foundational dose.^[22]

  Cardiovascular Support Through Multiple Pathways

  MegaNatural-BP works through several complementary mechanisms to support blood flow and cardiovascular function. The extract activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, increasing production of nitric oxide, the body's primary vasodilator.^[23]

  Crucially, the extract's polyphenolic compounds also protect nitric oxide from oxidative degradation, preserving its bioavailability and vasodilatory effects.^[23] This dual action (both increasing NO production and protecting it from breakdown) makes MegaNatural-BP a valuable complement to Clean Pre's citrulline-based nitric oxide support.

  Research using rabbit aortic rings confirmed that MegaNatural-BP's antioxidant properties are essential to its mechanism; when researchers removed the extract's antioxidant activity through methylation, its vasodilating effects disappeared.^[23]

  Beyond its exercise benefits, MegaNatural-BP has demonstrated consistent blood pressure support across multiple clinical trials, with studies showing reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with pre-hypertension and metabolic syndrome.^[24][22]

  

  MegaNatural-BP grape seed extract backed by 9 clinical trials for blood pressure and metabolic health. California-grown ingredient supports both cardiovascular and insulin pathways at 150-300mg daily.

  As an added bonus, MegaNatural-BP comes from PLT Health Solutions, a company with an exceptional sustainability story backed by 90 years of environmental stewardship through its relationship with E. & J. Gallo Winery. The grape seeds used for MegaNatural-BP are sourced from California vineyards practicing sustainable agriculture, creating a genuinely clean ingredient from source to finished product.

  To learn more, check out our comprehensive MegaNatural-BP analysis.

• NeuroRush™ (Coffee Fruit Extract) – 150mg

  Clean Pre includes 150mg of NeuroRush, Aura Scientific's coffee fruit extract standardized for beneficial chlorogenic acids and polyphenols while minimizing caffeine content. This allows the formula to deliver coffee's cognitive advantages without additional stimulation, creating a synergistic pairing with the 250mg of InnovaTea caffeine.

  Peer-Reviewed Cognitive Enhancement

  A 2025 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial validated NeuroRush's cognitive benefits at this exact dose. The study demonstrated that 150mg significantly improved working memory accuracy with a large effect size (d = 0.85 at one hour), enhanced processing speeds on attention tasks, and increased subjective well-being that peaked three hours post-ingestion.^[25] NeuroRush also showed cardiovascular benefits including reduced blood pressure compared to placebo, with no adverse effects reported.^[25]

  Mechanisms: Beyond Caffeine

  

  Sensapure Flavors demonstrates mastery with their Spring 2025 concept beverages! From paraxanthine-powered energy drinks to post-GLP-1 recovery solutions, they're proving functional ingredients don't have to sacrifice taste.

  NeuroRush's benefits stem from chlorogenic acids that activate the Nrf2 pathway for antioxidant defense, inhibit acetylcholinesterase to boost acetylcholine availability, and improve glucose metabolism for sustained mental energy. Combined with Clean Pre's nitric oxide stack, NeuroRush supports both physical performance and cognitive function through complementary pathways -- blood flow optimization meets neuroprotection and neurotransmitter support.

  You can learn more about the new study in our article titled "New NeuroRush Research Validates Cognitive Benefits: First Peer-Reviewed Study on Aura Scientific's Coffee Seed Extract" and the overall ingredient in our article, "NeuroRush: Unlocking Coffee's Cognitive Benefits For Focus and Workouts".

• Beet Root Powder Extract – 100mg

  Clean Pre includes 100mg of beet root powder extract to complement the formula's nitric oxide support through an additional dietary nitrate source. Beetroot provides inorganic nitrate that converts to nitrite and ultimately nitric oxide through the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, a process enhanced under the acidic and low-oxygen conditions during intense exercise.^[26]

  Synergistic NO Production

  Whole beetroot extract also contains polyphenols and ascorbic acid that facilitate nitrite-to-NO conversion and enhance NO production with reduced formation of other nitrogen oxides.^[27] Research shows beetroot supplementation reduces oxygen cost during exercise and improves mitochondrial efficiency, with studies demonstrating reduced oxygen demand of 5-20% across various exercise intensities.^[27]

  

  Tyrus Sciarra, Sensapure Flavors' high-energy sales expert, breaks down flavor science, industry trends, and the natural vs. artificial debate on Episode #179 of the PricePlow Podcast, recorded at IFT First 2025.

  Combined with 4.2 grams of total citrulline, the beet root extract creates a multi-pathway approach to NO elevation—citrulline working through the arginine-NO synthase pathway while beetroot provides direct dietary nitrate that converts to NO independent of this system.

Flavors Available - Flavored by Sensapure Flavors

The area below will be kept up-to-date with the available flavors:

These natural flavors come from none other than Sensapure Flavors, whose team joined us for both Episode #149 and Episode #179 of the PricePlow Podcast. When you know its got Sensapure inside, you know it's going to be good!

PLT Health Solutions: Premium Ingredients, Sustainable Practices

Core Culture's choice of MegaNatural-BP reflects a broader trend in the industry: prioritizing ingredients with both clinical backing and environmental responsibility. PLT Health Solutions' sustainability initiatives ensure that premium grape seed extract doesn't come at the expense of the planet.

The combination of MegaNatural-BP with plant-based caffeine from InnovaTea creates a pre-workout that aligns with both performance and values. It's rare to see a formula that checks every box (efficacy, clean label, and sustainability) but Clean Pre manages to do exactly that.

For those attending SupplySide West, stop by Booth #4855 to see this formula firsthand and learn more about the ingredient innovations driving the next generation of supplements.

Conclusion: Clean Energy That Performs

Learn about flavors with Sensapure. Mike and Ben with Scott Zimmerman and Derek Greer of Sensapure Flavors in Episode #149, exploring the art and science of flavor creation in supplements and energy drinks.

Clean Pre proves you don't need artificial ingredients to deliver serious pre-workout performance. From the nitric oxide support via fermented citrulline and watermelon extract to the smooth energy from plant-based caffeine and focus from Cognizin, every ingredient serves a purpose.

The inclusion of MegaNatural-BP sets this formula apart, providing cardiovascular support that extends beyond just training sessions. Whether you're looking for a pre-workout aligned with clean eating principles or simply want effective ingredients without the synthetic additives, Clean Pre delivers.

And of course, nothing beats the fact that you know exactly where it's made: right down in Luling, TX at Veritacor. With an open formula, natural ingredients, and an open manufacturing process, this is the level of transparency we look for in sports nutrition supplements.