The Study
Synergistic Effect of Long-Term L-Citruline Supplementation Combined with Exercise on Body Composition in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
This study looked at many small experiments where people took L-citrulline and exercised, and found that, on average, they lost a little bit more fat around their belly than people who only exercised. But it doesn’t prove the supplement caused it — maybe the people who took it also ate better or slept more.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Taking L-citrulline pills while working out might help you lose a little extra fat around your middle, but it won't make you lighter or more muscular.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 539 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1The fat loss is small and only in the belly area — not enough to change your weight or muscle, but may help lower disease risk tied to belly fat.
- 2L-citrulline + exercise reduced total fat by 0.21 standard units and belly fat by 0.32 standard units — small but noticeable changes.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Complementary therapies in medicine
Year
2026
Authors
Weizhen Wang, S. Cai, Kang Liu, Ping Luo
Related Content
Claims (6)
In adults, taking L-citrulline supplements regularly along with exercise is linked to a small decrease in total body fat and fat around the abdomen, without changing overall body weight or muscle mass.
When people take L-citrulline and exercise, they lose more fat around their abdomen than fat overall, and this specific fat loss is linked to lower risk of metabolic diseases.
L-citrulline has a very small effect on fat mass that is not meaningful for health, and there is no reliable information on whether it is safe or affects metabolic health over the long term.
Taking L-citrulline with exercise does not change total body weight, body mass index, fat mass in the hips and thighs, or lean mass in adults. Any fat loss observed is not caused by losing weight or gaining muscle.
Taking L-citrulline supplements does not lead to an increase in muscle mass in people who do resistance training.
High-quality studies have not shown that taking L-citrulline without exercising changes body composition in adults.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.