Dialed Perform: Dual-Carb Intra-Workout Fuel with Cognizin® Citicoline

Most intra-workouts stop at carbs and electrolytes. Dialed Perform adds 250mg of Cognizin® citicoline, the dose used in its attention research. 10g Cluster Dextrin, 10g Palatinose, 3g citrulline, 430mg sodium, zero stims.

Most intra-workout drinks are built around carbohydrates and electrolytes. Dialed Perform covers both with a fast-and-slow carb system and a full electrolyte panel, then adds something we rarely see in a drink meant for mid-session sipping: 250mg of Cognizin® citicoline, Kyowa Hakko's patented brain-health ingredient.

Between the Cognizin and use of the carbohydrate Palatinose, this is one unique intra-workout product!

A New Brand for Developing Athletes

Dialed is a new sports nutrition brand focused on young and developing athletes. Alongside Perform, it sells Hydrate electrolyte stick packs and a Game Day starter kit, offers team orders and fundraising programs for clubs and families, and runs a companion app that tracks hydration, nutrition, training, and sleep. Perform is the brand's intra-workout, built for athletes who want to train and compete at a high level.

Each sachet delivers 20g of carbohydrates from 10g of Cluster Dextrin™ and 10g of Palatinose™, plus 3g of L-citrulline, a 1g six-mushroom blend, L-tyrosine, taurine, 430mg of sodium, and four B vitamins. It's stimulant-free, chocolate flavored, and sweetened with stevia and thaumatin.

The Cognizin intra-workout angle is what caught our attention here. In our coverage, Cognizin mostly shows up in energy drinks, focus beverages, and pre-workouts, and Perform's 250mg matches a dose used in Cognizin's attention research. Below, we break down how each ingredient fits a long practice or game day, starting with the brain.

As of November 2026, Dialed is taking pre-orders for Perform. Use the link below to check availability:

Dialed Perform Nutrition Facts

• Calories - 90

• Total Fat - 0.5g

• Total Carbohydrate - 22g

• Protein - 1g

• Vitamins and Minerals

  • Niacin (as niacinamide) - 16mg (100% DV)

  • Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5'-phosphate) - 2.2mg (100% DV)

  • Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) - 2.4mcg (100% DV)

  • Pantothenic Acid (as d-calcium pantothenate) - 5mg (100% DV)

  • Calcium (as calcium gluconate) - 32mg (2% DV)

  • Phosphorus (as dipotassium phosphate) - 34mg (3% DV)

  • Magnesium (as dimagnesium malate) - 50mg (12% DV)

  • Chloride (as sea salt and potassium chloride) - 680mg (30% DV)

  • Sodium (as sea salt) - 430mg (19% DV)

  • Potassium (as potassium chloride and sea salt) - 200mg (4% DV)

Dialed Perform Ingredients

Each single-serving sachet provides the following:

• Cognizin® Citicoline - 250mg

  Cognizin® Citicoline is Kyowa Hakko's patented form of citicoline, also known as CDP-choline. As a supplement, citicoline is considered a dietary source of both choline and cytidine,^[1] and in the body it's an essential intermediate in building phosphatidylcholine, a key structural phospholipid in brain cell membranes. Once absorbed, citicoline reaches the central nervous system, where it supports membrane phospholipid synthesis and has been shown experimentally to raise dopamine and norepinephrine levels.^[2] According to Kyowa Hakko, Cognizin is 20% choline by weight.

  Attention and Accuracy at 250mg

  Perform's 250mg dose lines up with Cognizin's attention research. In a double-blind trial of 60 healthy women, 28 days of 250mg/day significantly reduced both omission errors (missed targets) and commission errors (incorrect responses) on a computerized attention test compared to placebo.^[3] In 75 healthy adolescent males, 28 days of 250mg or 500mg daily improved attention and psychomotor speed versus placebo, and higher weight-adjusted doses predicted better attention accuracy and lower impulsivity.^[4]

  At 500mg daily for two weeks, healthy young adults improved their reaction times and visual working memory, and their levels of malondialdehyde (an oxidative stress marker) fell while rising in the placebo group.^[5] Cognizin also appears to support brain energy. Six weeks of 500mg or 2000mg daily increased ATP by 14% and phosphocreatine by 7% in the anterior cingulate cortex, a frontal region tied to attention, with changes tending to be larger at the lower dose.^[6] In a 12-week trial, 500mg daily also improved episodic and overall memory in healthy older adults, which we covered in our Cognizin memory study breakdown.^[7]

  Why Cognizin Fits an Intra-Workout

  

  Cognizin® Citicoline is dubbed the The Brain Choline not just because it provides choline, but because it also supplies cytidine, which is also needed for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine

  There's a physiological case for choline support during long training sessions. Researchers reported in 1986 that plasma choline falls significantly in marathon runners,^[8] and a later marathon trial saw the same drop in its placebo group, while runners given a choline source (lecithin) maintained normal levels.^[9] Those trials used other choline sources and didn't produce faster race times, which matches other choline-loading research in trained subjects,^[10] so Cognizin's role in Perform rests on its attention, reaction time, and accuracy research rather than an endurance claim.

  Kyowa Hakko is also investigating single-dose use. In June 2026, the company announced proof-of-concept research on Cognizin's acute effects on brain activity and cognitive performance for the International Society of Sports Nutrition's annual conference. Since the published trials above used daily supplementation for two to twelve weeks, athletes who use Perform consistently through a training block are closest to that research. We've also discussed the growing Cognizin research portfolio with Kyowa Hakko's Danielle Citrolo on Episode #153 of the PricePlow Podcast.

• Cluster Dextrin™ Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin - 10000mg

  Cluster Dextrin™ is a highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD), a large, ring-shaped glucose polymer made by enzymatically restructuring starch. It's the fast half of Perform's carb system. Its high molecular weight keeps osmolality low, and in an ultrasound study, a 10% HBCD sports drink formulated with minerals left the stomach significantly faster than a similar drink built on conventional dextrin.^[11] That's a relevant detail for Perform, which pairs its Cluster Dextrin with a full electrolyte panel.

  

  During endurance exercise, 15g of HBCD produced a significantly smaller rise in perceived exertion at 30 and 60 minutes than maltodextrin did.^[12] Sipped between sets of resistance training, it was well tolerated with no gastrointestinal complaints and improved repetition velocity in men, though not in women.^[13] Performance results vary by protocol (30g during CrossFit workouts didn't produce clear performance changes),^[14] but tolerability is the consistent theme, which is why it anchors the fast side of a drink meant for sipping mid-session.

• Palatinose™ Isomaltulose - 10000mg

  Palatinose™ is isomaltulose, a glucose-fructose disaccharide made by enzymatically shifting the bond between sucrose's two sugars. That small structural change means intestinal enzymes break it down much more slowly. It's still digested almost completely, though. In volunteers with ileostomies, whose small-intestinal output can be measured directly, 95.5% to 98.8% of a 50g dose was digested.^[15]

  A Slower, Steadier Glucose Curve

  A meta-analysis of 11 randomized crossover trials found that isomaltulose produced significantly lower blood glucose 30 and 60 minutes after ingestion than comparison sugars, followed by a flatter, more prolonged curve.^[16] That makes Palatinose the slow half of Perform's carb system, releasing glucose gradually while Cluster Dextrin handles fast delivery.

  Palatinose During Training

  

  Kyowa Hakko USA earns 4th patent for Cognizin Citicoline, further validating visual attention & cognitive performance benefits. New IP covers methods for enhancing attention, motor function & processing speed.

  The most product-relevant study used an intake close to Perform's: university soccer players drank roughly 20g of carbohydrate per hour, taken during the warm-up and at halftime of 120 minutes of soccer-specific exercise. Compared to maltodextrin (glycemic index 90 to 100), isomaltulose (glycemic index 32) kept blood glucose more than 13% higher between 75 and 90 minutes, softened the glucose dip at 60 minutes (a 4% drop versus 19%), and blunted the rise in epinephrine, with similar stomach comfort.^[17] Sprint and skill performance dipped late in every condition, so the benefit there was a steadier glucose supply rather than a measured performance gain.

  Taken before exercise, 75g of Palatinose increased fat oxidation and steadied blood glucose compared to maltodextrin in trained cyclists, along with a 2.7% faster time trial that didn't reach statistical significance.^[18] In athletes who took 75g of isomaltulose before a 90-minute run, peak power in a sprint test immediately afterward was higher than after sucrose.^[19]

  Dose and pairing matter. When cyclists drank about 63g of isomaltulose per hour as their only carbohydrate, gastrointestinal symptoms built progressively and time-trial performance suffered compared to a fructose-maltodextrin blend.^[20] Perform's 10g per sachet, split with Cluster Dextrin, is a far more moderate approach that uses Palatinose as steady background fuel.

• L-Citrulline - 3000mg

  

  L-Citrulline is an amino acid that the body converts into L-arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide (NO) production and blood flow. Oral arginine is heavily broken down in the gut and liver, while citrulline largely bypasses that breakdown, so supplementing citrulline raises plasma arginine more effectively than arginine itself.^[21] In a pharmacokinetic study, 3g doses of citrulline (taken twice daily) improved the ratio of arginine to ADMA, a natural inhibitor of NO production, and increased urinary nitrate and cGMP, markers of NO signaling.^[22]

  The endurance research is encouraging. Trained men taking 2.4g/day for a week (plus 2.4g before testing) completed a 4km cycling time trial 1.5% faster and reported less muscle fatigue and better concentration afterward.^[23] At 6g/day for a week, citrulline sped oxygen uptake kinetics and extended tolerance to severe-intensity cycling.^[24] A 2022 meta-analysis didn't find a significant pooled effect on aerobic performance, though multi-day protocols trended positive, which favors regular use over one-off dosing.^[25]

  Perform uses free-form L-citrulline rather than citrulline malate, so all 3g is citrulline, sidestepping the citrulline-to-malate ratio questions a critical review raised about some malate products.^[26]

• Mushroom Blend - 1000mg

  Perform's Mushroom Blend combines six mushrooms that Dialed's website lists as Cordyceps, reishi, king trumpet, shiitake, lion's mane, and turkey tail. The label discloses the 1000mg total but not individual amounts, extract types, or the Cordyceps species, so it's best evaluated as one ingredient. Dialed positions Cordyceps for endurance and oxygen use, lion's mane for focus, and reishi for recovery and stress resilience.

  

  Cognizin citicoline keeps showing up outside of energy drinks and pre-workouts. The newest home is Santé Life Elixir, a Mediterranean-style sparkling lemon drink running 0.0% alcohol, 20 calories, and zero caffeine.

  That six-mushroom lineup matches a commercial blend, built around Cordyceps militaris, that has its own exercise research. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 4g/day increased VO2max by 4.8ml/kg/min after three weeks, with time-to-exhaustion gains appearing after one and three weeks.^[27] A 28-day trial lands closer to Perform's dose. At 1g to 2g per day, the blend significantly increased time to fatigue and VO2peak and lowered blood lactate during steady-state exercise compared to placebo.^[28]

  Dialed's label doesn't name that branded blend, so the research applies directly only if the material matches, and Perform's 1000mg sits at the low end of the studied range. Both trials used daily dosing for weeks, so the blend fits best as part of consistent training-day use.

• L-Tyrosine - 500mg

  L-Tyrosine is the amino acid your body uses to make dopamine and norepinephrine. Raising tyrosine availability boosts their production only in actively firing neurons, the state that stress and hard training create.^[29] Reviews conclude that tyrosine's most consistent benefit is supporting cognitive performance during short-term stress or heavy mental demand, rather than physical performance itself.^[30] In a field study, cadets receiving 2g of tyrosine daily during a demanding combat training course outperformed a carbohydrate-drink group on memory and tracking tasks.^[31]

  Perform's 500mg is a fraction of the doses used in that research, so it works as a supporting player that complements Cognizin's focus role rather than as a standalone tyrosine dose.

• Taurine - 500mg

  

  The latest study performed on Cognizin® Citicoline was published in 2021, showing improved memory in healthy older adults.^[7]

  Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid involved in cell-volume regulation and calcium handling throughout the body.^[32] A 2018 meta-analysis found that single doses of 1g to 6g improved endurance performance, with no clear dose-response within that range,^[33] while a larger 2025 meta-analysis of acute trials found a smaller pooled benefit and rated the certainty of evidence low.^[34] At 500mg, Perform sits below the 1g floor of those trials, so taurine plays a supporting role alongside the formula's electrolytes.

• Electrolytes

  Each sachet provides 430mg of sodium and 680mg of chloride from sea salt and potassium chloride, plus 200mg of potassium, 50mg of magnesium as dimagnesium malate, and smaller amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Sodium is the key player for an intra-workout drink. Sweat sodium losses vary enormously between athletes (one study of professional football players measured losses ranging from 642mg to 6.7g per hour),^[35] and hydration reviews recommend drinking during exercise to limit both water and salt deficits.^[36] Potassium, magnesium, and calcium round out the panel, so Perform covers more than sodium alone.

• B Vitamins

  Perform adds four B vitamins: 16mg of niacin (as niacinamide), 2.2mg of vitamin B6 as pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (P5P), 2.4mcg of vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, and 5mg of pantothenic acid. These vitamins act as coenzymes in the pathways that convert carbohydrate, fat, and protein into usable energy, which makes them a sensible addition to a carbohydrate-based training drink. P5P and methylcobalamin are coenzyme forms of B6 and B12.

• Chocolate Flavor: Cocoa, Stevia, and Thaumatin

  

  Perform launches in a single Chocolate flavor, an unusual choice for an intra-workout. Alkalized cocoa powder and natural flavor provide the taste, guar gum adds body, and the sweetness comes from stevia leaf extract (Reb A and Reb M) and thaumatin, a sweet protein from the katemfe fruit, with Palatinose contributing mild sweetness of its own. There are no artificial sweeteners on the label.

How to Use

• When to take it: Dialed recommends Perform during practices, workouts, games, or competitions.
• Other notes: Each box contains 30 single-serving sachets. Perform is stimulant-free, with no caffeine.

Stacks Well With

• Dialed Hydrate: Dialed's electrolyte stick packs combine five key electrolytes with tart cherry and are positioned for recovery and everyday training hydration, making them a natural companion on days you're not drinking Perform.

Who It's For

• Developing and competitive athletes: Dialed built Perform for athletes training and competing at a high level, with fuel, electrolytes, and focus support in one sachet. For athletes under 18, parents should review any supplement with the athlete's pediatrician or a sports dietitian first.
• Long practices and tournament days: The fast-and-slow carb system and 430mg of sodium suit sessions where steady fuel and fluid replacement matter.
• Stimulant-free trainees: Perform contains no caffeine, so its focus support comes from Cognizin and L-tyrosine instead, which makes it an easy fit for evening practices.

Conclusion: Fuel for the Body, Cognizin for the Brain

Katie Emerson and Tony Miano of Kyowa Hakko join PricePlow to discuss the latest Cognizin and Setria research developments at Expo West 2025 in Episode #163.

Dialed Perform's standout feature is 250mg of Cognizin citicoline in a drink you sip during practice, a dose used in Cognizin's attention research. It gives developing athletes a stimulant-free way to support focus when sessions run long, using an ingredient protected by multiple U.S. patents and backed by human research on attention, psychomotor speed, and brain energy.

The fuel side is equally well-built. Cluster Dextrin provides fast, stomach-friendly carbohydrate, Palatinose adds a slower and steadier glucose supply, and 430mg of sodium leads a full electrolyte panel. Free-form citrulline, a six-mushroom blend with its own exercise research, and supporting doses of tyrosine and taurine round out a formula that skips stimulants entirely. No doubt, there's a lot going on here.

If you want to dig deeper into where Cognizin research is headed, Kyowa Hakko's Katie Emerson and Tony Miano covered the latest updates on Episode #163 of the PricePlow Podcast. As of November 2026, Dialed is taking pre-orders for Perform, with initial shipments expected in the coming weeks. Check availability below and sign up for Dialed news alerts so you know when it ships: