If you’ve been working out for some time, lifting weights, you most likely heard some talk about vascularity and the best supplements to increase it. Vascularity means your veins are visible and it is perceived as a sign of being ripped, that you have low body fat, and you lift heavy.
Many supplements for vascularity contain nitric oxide, a gas that occurs naturally in the body and increases blood flow. Some also claim it helps you perform better, giving you more energy for your workouts.
While there is little proof that nitric oxide supplements help athletic performance, their effect on blood flow is well-documented. It helps vasodilation by relaxing the muscular walls of the blood vessels, which in turn gives you the famous “pumped” effect.
Curious to learn more? Here are the 5 best muscle pump supplements for vascularity.
5 Best Supplements for Vascularity
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View On Amazon → |
 |
| View On Amazon → |
 |
| View On Amazon → |
 |
| View On Amazon → |
 |
| View On Amazon → |
1. N.O. XT with Nitrosigine
A nitric oxide supplement is perfect if you want increased strength and vascularity, N.O. XT contains l-citrulline, Nitrosigine, l-glutathione, and Bioperine. The l-citrulline boosts nitric oxide production, enhancing muscular strength and endurance, and creating a pumped effect.
Nitrosigine also boosts nitric oxide and dilates blood vessels. L-glutathione is an antioxidant that together with the other ingredients, boosts nitric oxide. It comes as pills so it’s easy to take even if you’re on the go and it contains no artificial ingredients.
The only downside some people see is the large serving size: you need to take 3 capsules that should be taken about 30-45 minutes before a workout. Some also complain about side effects such as diarrhea, heartburn, stomach pain, and even nausea and headaches.
Usually, this is due to one or more of the ingredients, so if you know you’re sensitive to any of them, check with a doctor before taking it. The supplement might also interact with diabetes medication, so if you have this condition, you may want to skip it.
If you’re interested, you can check it out on Amazon.
2. BSN NITRIX 2.0
The second supplement for vascularity on our list, BSN NITRIX 2.0 is a nitric oxide precursor that also helps with endurance, recovery, performance. One serving gives you 3 grams of l-citrulline and 3 grams of creatine. It also contains 12 mg of Niacin, so be mindful if you’re taking other supplements or multivitamins as you might be taking more than the recommended daily dosage.
It comes in pill form, and you’ll need to take 3 capsules 60 minutes before your workout. However, as a dietary supplement, it is safe to take 3 capsules 2 times a day, so you can add another dose later after your workout. While most people are happy with the effect right from the start, many say, after the second bottle the vascularity effect started to diminish to the point where they didn’t see results any longer. The good news is, very few side effects have been reported.
If you want to check it out, NITRIX 2.0 is available on Amazon.
3. Evlution Nutrition Pump Mode Nitric Oxide Booster
Containing l-citrulline malate and glycerol monostearate, along with vitamins C and D, Evlution is another great supplement for vascularity. Unlike the previous ones, it comes in powder form, and all you need to do is add one scoop to your pre-workout beverage. This is a bonus for those who hate the idea of taking countless pills, but a minus for those who are constantly on the go and find the pills easier to travel with.
It is unflavored, so whatever you add it to, it won’t alter the taste. It also doesn’t have artificial flavors and sweeteners and doesn’t contain stimulants or carbs, so if you want those pre-workout, you’ll need another supplement. As effects, besides increasing vascularity by boosting nitric oxide production, it also helps you build strength, endurance, and diminishes fatigue.
Some people report they felt nauseous, while others complain the taste is very bad and you need to combine it with something strongly flavored to be able to drink it.
It is available on Amazon in various serving sizes, so check it out.
4. Force Factor Volcano Pre-Workout Nitric Oxide Booster with Creatine
Another great supplement for vascularity, VolcaNO boosts nitric oxide and muscle pumps. The l-citrulline malate and creatine boost strength, endurance, and help delay the onset of fatigue and muscle soreness. It is designed with athletes in mind, people who want to see results fast, who want to improve their performance and get faster, stronger, and bigger.
The typical serving size is 2-4 capsules for breakfast and another 2-4 capsules 30 minutes before your workout. On days when you don’t work out, you’d take the same 2-4 capsules in the morning, but the other serving will be at dinner time. Few people mention side effects. Those who do talk about digestive issues such as stomach ache, constipation, or some mild nausea.
The volcano can be found on Amazon, so make sure to check it out if you’re interested.
5. Havasu Nutrition L-Arginine Nitric Oxide Booster Supplement for Muscle Growth, Vascularity & EnergySports Research CLA
Havasu’s main amino acid ingredients are l-arginine and l-citrulline, along with beetroot powder. As all supplements for vascularization, Havasu supplements boost nitric oxide production, improve blood flow, and pump your muscles. On top of that, Havasu also helps you build lean muscles. L-arginine helps body fat loss and improves strength and endurance. It is ideal for people with an active lifestyle who are interested in boosting their athletic performance.
Be mindful though, as one of the known side effects of l-arginine is elevated potassium levels. If you know you have a predisposition for this, or have any medical conditions, talk to a doctor, or simply avoid this supplement. Otherwise, it should be safe for most people.
If you’re interested, you can find Havasu on Amazon.
Buyer’s Guide
What are vascularity supplements?
Vascularity is defined as the condition of having highly visible veins and is particularly prominent within the sport of bodybuilding. Vascularity supplements are formulated with various ingredients to boost the appearance of these veins on the surface of the skin to help bodybuilders or gym fanatics alike to achieve their desired aesthetic. Many other factors will need to be considered if you’re trying to achieve the look of popping veins such as reducing your overall body fat and also increasing your muscle mass and eating a diet that’s rich in protein and healthy fats.
Ingredients
Some supplements will contain a mixture of ingredients that help contribute to the appearance of vascularity whilst some will include a main base of just one ingredient. You should always check the label to see what consumer the supplement is targeted at and also seek out products that explain what each ingredient does and how it will benefit you in achieving vascular veins.
L-Citrulline Malate
L-Citrulline Malate is an essential amino acid but it is not used to make acid, but instead improves athletic performance and helps the veins to open up to improve blood flow. The body changes L-Citrulline Malate into nitric oxide and another amino acid called L-arginine which then gets the blood flowing through your body and makes it easier for you to get a pump on and your veins to be showing more.
L-Citrulline has no known side effects when the supplement is taken in moderation but it may affect the way other drugs work inside your body, for example, those taking medication for heart disease medications are not recommended to take an L-Citrulline Malate supplement.
Beta-Alanine
Beta-Alanine is another amino acid, but this one will help you build lean muscle quicker and improves your athletic performance. It does not have direct links to improving vascularity. So if you’re feeling fatigued before a heavy session, a beta-alanine supplement will be ideal to take as it’ll give you the fuel you’ll need to push through which will then hopefully help you attain your ideal body composition for seeing more vascular muscles.
Regular consumption of beta-alanine (in moderate doses) does not have any side effects whilst taking too many doses of beta-alanine in one go can result in flushing and tingly in the face and body.
Creatine
Creatine is a very popular ingredient that bodybuilders take when they’re training to compete in competitions. Creatine is not necessarily used for boosting vascularity but it will help to relax the blood vessels and also increase water tension in the skeletal muscle which pushes the veins closer to the surface.
Creatine helps boost performance and increases muscle strength more quickly which will then also aid people to endure more intense weightlifting sessions and then attaining a solid pump and popping veins. Too high a dose of creatine can result in bloating and a painful stomach but there is no scientific evidence to prove that creatine is linked to supposed kidney damage.
Caffeine
Caffeine won’t help improve the appearance of your veins, but it will push you through tiring workouts and lifting sessions when your energy levels are beginning to dip. A caffeine supplement will help you push through that barrier and achieve some PB’s which will hopefully result in you seeing some popping veins.
However, consumption of too much caffeine can lead to you getting jittery and prevents you from sleeping and you could even become tolerant to it and not feel the effects. If you already drink lots of caffeinated drinks like coffee or sodas, then you should lower your dosage of caffeine supplements.
Beetroot
Beetroot is probably one of the least expected ingredients you’d think you would find in supplements for vascularity, however, the ingredient is very beneficial for your health and is also rich in nitrates which can then be converted into nitric oxide which helps accentuate your vascularity.
Beetroot contains lots of nutrients like iron, vitamin c, fiber, and potassium all of which contribute to a balanced diet that will help boost your performance when you’re lifting weights and doing any endurance training.
Arginine
As we previously mentioned if you’re taking an L-Citrulline Malate supplement then your body will naturally change it into L-arginine or an arginine amino acid. However, if you really want to achieve some stan-out veins then you could also primarily take an arginine supplement. Arginine gets rid of fatigue and boosts circulation whilst also lowering blood pressure and keeps your blood vessels wide so your veins can achieve optimum blood flow and show on the skin’s surface.
Arginine also helps your body to produce protein which in turn combined with a high-quality diet will get you to achieve a good pump that will push out your veins.
User Experience
Always read customer’s reviews and find out what their experience was with the supplement if they’ve managed to see results. There’s nothing worse than buying something that is completely ineffective and could’ve been avoided if you’d read the reviews beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes vascularity?
During weight training or heavy cardio, your blood pressure will rise to accommodate more blood for your muscles, this will then dilate the veins and cause them to be more enhanced on the skin’s surface.
Vascularity is very prominent in people who have a low body fat percentage and low water retention in their bodies. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can also lead to vascularity, whilst genetics and hormones can play an important part in how prominent our veins are in our body.
Heavy bodybuilding exercises will help improve vascularity whilst also implementing cardio into your daily routine will help reduce your body fat and boost your circulation.
What are some of the best supplements for vascularity?
Some of the best supplements for vascularity include
- N.O. XT with Nitrosigine
- BSN Nitrix 2.0
- Evlution Nutrition Pump Mode Nitric Oxide Booster
- Force Factor Volcano Nitric Oxide Booster with Creatine
- Havasu Nutrition L-Arginine Nitric Oxide Booster
However, supplements with high-quality ingredients like nitric oxide, L-Arginine, Creatine, and L-Citrulline Malate are recommended for trying to achieve a good pump and aesthetically looking veins on the surface of the skin.
Is it safe to use vascularity supplements?
Yes, as long as you are abiding by the recommended dosage it is completely safe to use vascularity supplements.
If you suffer from health problems like a heart condition then you should consult with a medical professional before taking any vascularity supplements.
Is vascularity good or bad?
In terms of health, vascularity is neither good nor bad and is just physical evidence of your blood pressure rising during exerting weight training or cardio sessions.
Vascularity is now a sought-after aesthetic for people in bodybuilding competitions and many people work relentlessly to achieve the look of popping veins through extreme workouts, diet, and supplements.
What foods increase vascularity?
Foods that are rich in unsaturated fats and high in omega fatty acids like salmon and other fish are beneficial for increasing vascularity. Nitrate-rich foods like spinach, beetroots will help widen the blood vessels and increase the pump from lifting weights or resistance training.
However, an overall healthy diet will help you have optimized performances during your training which will help you lift heavier, for longer, and achieve the pump.
Does coffee increase vascularity?
The caffeine in coffee may affect the blood vessels and cause your veins to be more visible, however, the rise in blood flow is small and only lasts for a short while before drastically lowering again.
Is vascularity genetic?
Vascularity can be down to your fitness levels, but it can also be linked to genetics. Some bodies do hold more fat naturally than others and will find it more difficult to have vascularity.
Does drinking more water make you more vascular?
The more water you drink the less water weight your body will retain and the leaner you will look.
Water also makes you feel fuller and will prevent you from snacking on high-calorie foods that will prevent you from achieving the lean, muscular and vascular aesthetic.
The Bottomline
Supplements for vascularity work by improving your nitric oxide levels, which in turn increases blood flow and may also aid athletic performance.
Most of them are safe and are taken pre-workout, giving you a boost of energy.
Finding the best supplement for you depends on your lifestyle, your dietary habits, your goals, and of course, any pre-existing medical conditions.
If you found this article helpful and want to read more, please check out our other reviews.
Similar Articles:
