The Magic of Betaine: Why It’s the Ultimate Muscle Builder

You’ve probably heard about creatine, BCAAs, or even citrulline. But Betaine? It doesn’t get the same attention — yet it should.

This humble compound is one of the most underrated muscle-building ingredients out there. And the science behind it is surprisingly solid.

Let’s break down why Betaine deserves a place in your supplement stack — especially if you’re chasing strength, size, or performance in the gym.

What is Betaine, Anyway?

Betaine (also known as trimethylglycine) is a naturally occurring compound found in foods like beets, spinach, and quinoa. But you’d have to eat a ton of those to get the amount shown in studies to improve performance — which is why it’s often added to high-quality pre-workout formulas.

Its main job? Helping your cells stay hydrated and supporting methylation, a process that’s crucial for everything from hormone production to protein synthesis.

How Betaine Helps Build Muscle

1. Increases Strength and Power

Multiple studies have shown that betaine can increase peak power and strength output — especially in compound lifts like squats and bench press. It works by supporting cellular hydration and muscle contraction efficiency.

2. Improves Muscle Protein Synthesis

Betaine helps the body regulate homocysteine, which in turn supports anabolic hormone production and protein metabolism — both key for recovery and muscle growth.

3. Enhances Muscle Fullness and Pumps

Because betaine draws water into the muscle cells (like creatine does), you’ll likely feel a bit fuller, rounder, and tighter during and after workouts.

Does the Research Back It Up?

Yes — and here’s the cliff notes version:

• A 2013 study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that two weeks of betaine supplementation led to significant increases in muscle mass and arm size.
• Another study from 2011 showed greater reps and volume in squat workouts for subjects taking a serving of betaine daily.

Where to Get It: Not All Pre-Workouts Include Betaine

You’d be surprised how many big-name pre-workouts don’t include betaine at all — or worse, underdose it to make room for flashy stimulants or cheap fillers.

One formula that gets it right is OFH Infinity Pre-Workout by OptiFusion Health.

Every scoop of Infinity includes:

• 1000mg of Betaine Anhydrous
• Along with 9g of Citrulline Malate, 5g BCAAs, Alpha GPC, Rhodiola, and more

It’s designed to hit that perfect balance of pump, performance, and mental focus — with ingredients that actually work. You can check it out on their site here.

Final Thoughts

Betaine might not get the social media spotlight, but it’s one of those ingredients that’s quietly supported by real results and real research.

If you’re training hard and looking to level up your strength and physique, don’t overlook this one. Whether you get it as a standalone or as part of a clinically dosed pre-workout like OFH Infinity — you’ll feel the difference.