“Total War” is a pre-workout supplement manufactured by a brand called REDCON1. According to the brand’s claims, this product combines endurance, pump, energy, and focus factors and includes clinically researched ingredients at effective doses. However, it is important to examine whether Total War actually contains research-backed ingredient doses or if these claims are merely marketing strategies. Additionally, it is essential to investigate if the supplement contains any questionable additives. Furthermore, we need to understand why the founders of REDCON1 were recently arrested. Lastly, it is crucial to explore how real users rate and describe the effects of Total War.
In this article, we will address these questions by analyzing the ingredients in Total War based on medical studies, allowing us to determine whether the supplement is likely to be effective or if it’s a waste of money. Moreover, we will compare the cost of Total War among different retailers and provide unsponsored user reviews to offer a comprehensive perspective.
Ingredient Analysis:
Total War contains several research-backed ingredients. One of these is citrulline malate, which is known as a “pump” ingredient that improves blood flow, leading to enhanced exercise endurance. A meta-study from 2021 demonstrated that citrulline malate supplementation, at a similar dose to that found in Total War, increased energy production (measured by ATP synthesis) by 34%.
Another ingredient, beta-alanine, has clinically proven benefits in increasing power. A review of another supplement containing beta-alanine, called Bucked Up Pre-Workout, confirmed its effectiveness. The minimum effective dose of beta-alanine appears to be 1 gram (g), while Total War contains 3.2 g.
Caffeine is included in Total War at a dose of 320 milligrams (mg) in total. A medical review published in the Sports Medicine journal concluded that caffeine supplementation improves physical and mental performance during exercise.
However, there seem to be no other active ingredients in Total War that are proven to enhance exercise performance, and the brand does not provide any citations regarding such ingredients on its product page.
Although Total War contains three effectively dosed ergogenic (exercise-enhancers), it also includes several questionable additive ingredients. Sucralose, an artificial sweetener, was shown in a clinical trial published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition to decrease insulin sensitivity in healthy adults, which suggests potential harm to metabolism. Artificial flavors, lacking nutritional value, have been demonstrated to be toxic in animal studies. While natural flavors are considered a healthier option than artificial flavors, a medical review published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal suggests that some natural flavoring ingredients and their metabolites may also be toxic. Considering these factors, we do not recommend Total War due to the inclusion of these additive ingredients, despite its potential to improve workout performance and reduce fatigue.
Real, Unsponsored Total War User Reviews:
To gain insight into the effects of Total War, we turn to real user reviews. One review from a popular fitness influencer named “Garage Gym Homie” provided an unfavorable review of the “Black Ops” version of Total War. Additionally, another fitness influencer named Derek, known for his channel “More Plates More Dates,” has a video scientifically analyzing the top five pre-workouts on Amazon, including Total War. The review timestamps his analysis of Total War.
The Arrest of REDCON1 Founders on Conspiracy Charges:
The founders of REDCON1, Phillip Braun and Aaron Singerman, were recently arrested on federal conspiracy charges. They face up to 13 years in prison. The Department of Justice charged them with the introduction of unapproved new drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead. This raises concerns about the brand as a whole.
Possible Side Effects of Total War:
Since pre-workout supplements, due to their stimulatory nature, have a higher likelihood of causing side effects compared to average supplements, it is essential to consider the potential side effects of Total War. Although this supplement has not been studied in clinical trials, we can make an educated guess based on its ingredients. The relatively high caffeine dose suggests that Total War may cause anxiety and jitters in individuals sensitive to stimulants. Moreover, the caffeine dose is high enough to raise blood pressure, so individuals with high blood pressure should consult with their doctors before taking this supplement. Beta-alanine, another ingredient, may cause an uncomfortable tingling sensation in some individuals. Overall, Total War is not likely to cause side effects in the average, healthy adult, but it may affect stimulant-sensitive individuals.
Where to Buy Total War at the Best Price:
Total War is available at various online retailers. At the time of publishing this article, The Vitamin Shoppe sells it for $44.99 with free shipping, the brand’s website offers it for $42.99 plus shipping, Walmart sells it for $39.99 with free shipping, and Amazon offers it for $34.99 with free shipping depending on the plan. Currently, Amazon provides the best price, with a 22% discount compared to the brand’s website.
Real Customer Reviews of Total War:
For honest customer reviews, Amazon is considered a better resource than the brand’s website. Total War has received over 22,000 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. The top positive review from a verified purchaser highlights the good taste, solid formula, and reasonable price of the supplement. On the other hand, the top negative review states that the product tastes bad and caused side effects, leading to nausea.
REDCON1’s average rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) page is 2.89 out of 5 stars, which is relatively positive. The brand responds to the majority of customer complaints, offering resolutions, and indicating a positive customer service approach.
Recommended Clean Pre-Workout Picks:
Instead of Total War, we recommend Naked Energy by Naked Nutrition as a pre-workout supplement. Like Bucked Up, it provides an effective dose of beta-alanine and caffeine for improvements in power and stamina. The significant difference is that Naked Energy is entirely free of questionable additive ingredients, such as artificial sweeteners and artificial colors. This formulation does not contain any inactive ingredients, making it the healthiest pre-workout option on the market.
Interested consumers can find Naked Energy on the official brand website. Additionally, Illuminate Labs offers a highly potent Panax Ginseng extract supplement for $15, which is third-party tested for label accuracy and purity. Panax ginseng has been clinically shown to reduce mental and physical fatigue.
Pros and Cons of Total War:
Here are the pros and cons of Total War Pre-workout, based on our analysis:
Pros:
- The effective dose of stimulant ingredients
Potential improvement in power and fatigue reduction
Lower price on Amazon
Cons:
- The founder of the manufacturer was arrested on unapproved drug charges
High caffeine doses may cause anxiety in some individuals
Inclusion of artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and natural flavors
Conclusion:
Based on our analysis of the active ingredients in Total War, it is likely to enhance power and reduce fatigue during workouts. However, the relatively high caffeine dose and the presence of questionable additives, combined with the recent charges against the founders of REDCON1, raise concerns about the brand’s integrity. While Total War is not likely to cause side effects in the average consumer, it may affect stimulant-sensitive individuals. Therefore, considering all factors, we do not recommend Total War as a pre-workout supplement.
For consumers interested in purchasing Total War, Amazon currently offers the best price.