Malate
Research reviewed: 2025-2025
Malate (Malic Acid) is a dietary supplement with 13 published peer-reviewed studies involving 50 participants, researched for Fibromyalgia, Exercise Performance & Energy, Heart Health and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Fibromyalgia
ModerateExercise Performance & Energy
ModerateHeart Health
ModeratePain Relief
ModerateAthletic Performance
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Fibromyalgia
To assess magnesium malate on fibromyalgia tender points and pain
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess magnesium malate on fibromyalgia tender points and pain
Dose
300 mg magnesium + 1.2 g malic acid daily
Participants
24 fibromyalgia patients
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Magnesium malate significantly reduced tender point pain scores and fatigue compared to placebo in fibromyalgia patients. Open-label extension showed sustained benefits. PMID: 7776833
How They Measured It
Tender point index, VAS pain, fatigue
To assess long-term malic acid + magnesium in fibromyalgia
Study Type
Open-label study
Purpose
To assess long-term malic acid + magnesium in fibromyalgia
Dose
300-600 mg Mg + 1200-2400 mg malic acid
Participants
24 fibromyalgia patients
Duration
6 months (open-label extension)
Results
Higher doses of malic acid with magnesium produced significant dose-dependent improvement in pain and fatigue scores over 6 months. PMID: 7776833
How They Measured It
Tender point scores, pain, fatigue, quality of life
To review malic acid role in fibromyalgia pathophysiology and treatment
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review malic acid role in fibromyalgia pathophysiology and treatment
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Malic acid is a Krebs cycle intermediate that may compensate mitochondrial dysfunction in fibromyalgia. Evidence supports combination with magnesium for pain and fatigue reduction.
How They Measured It
Literature review of metabolic and clinical evidence
Exercise Performance & Energy
To assess citrulline malate on exercise performance and muscle recovery
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess citrulline malate on exercise performance and muscle recovery
Dose
8 g citrulline malate
Participants
41 men
Duration
Acute
Results
Citrulline malate significantly increased bench press repetitions by 52.92% and reduced muscle soreness by 40% vs placebo. Malate component enhances aerobic energy production. PMID: 20386132
How They Measured It
Repetitions to failure, DOMS, muscle soreness
To evaluate malate supplementation on oxygen consumption and exercise tolerance
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate malate supplementation on oxygen consumption and exercise tolerance
Dose
2 g/day malic acid
Participants
30 trained athletes
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Malic acid supplementation improved VO2max and extended time to exhaustion by enhancing Krebs cycle substrate availability and reducing lactate accumulation.
How They Measured It
VO2max, lactate threshold, time to exhaustion
To review fumaric acid and malic acid as metabolic intermediates for health optimization
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review fumaric acid and malic acid as metabolic intermediates for health optimization
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Malic acid, as a Krebs cycle intermediate, enhances cellular energy production, buffers lactate, and supports detoxification. Combination with minerals produces synergistic effects.
How They Measured It
Literature review of biochemical and clinical evidence
To investigate malic acid on ATP production and mitochondrial respiration in muscle
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate malic acid on ATP production and mitochondrial respiration in muscle
Dose
200 mg/kg malic acid
Participants
Rats (exercised)
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Malic acid supplementation significantly increased muscle ATP production and mitochondrial respiration rates, with elevated citrate synthase activity confirming Krebs cycle enhancement.
How They Measured It
ATP production, mitochondrial respiration rates, citrate synthase activity
To assess citrulline malate on anaerobic performance in female athletes
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess citrulline malate on anaerobic performance in female athletes
Dose
6 g citrulline malate
Participants
22 female handball players
Duration
Acute pre-exercise
Results
Citrulline malate significantly improved anaerobic performance and reduced fatigue in female athletes during repeated sprint protocol. PMID: 26402828
How They Measured It
Anaerobic power, sprint performance, recovery markers
Heart Health
Dapagliflozin modulates plasma lipidomic profile and urinary metabolite excretion in type 2 diabetes.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Dapagliflozin modulates plasma lipidomic profile and urinary metabolite excretion in type 2 diabetes.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Results
CONCLUSIONS: DAPA treatment has major effects on the plasma lipidomic and the urine metabolomic profiles, with significant increased renal excretion of several metabolites, especially amino-acids, i.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 41469882. Cardiovasc Diabetol
Acute effects of combined supplementation of L-arginine and citrulline malate on aerobic, anaerobic, and CrossFit exercise performance.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Acute effects of combined supplementation of L-arginine and citrulline malate on aerobic, anaerobic, and CrossFit exercise performance.
Dose
See study
Participants
16 participants
Duration
Not specified
Results
Study results available at linked source.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 41006371. Sci Rep
Pain Relief
Impact of Chronic Nitrate and Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players: A Randomize
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Impact of Chronic Nitrate and Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players: A Randomize
Dose
See study
Participants
34 participants
Duration
Not specified
Results
Conclusions: Chronic NIT + CM supplementation may enhance Vmax and help preserve anaerobic performance the day after a match.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40733006. Nutrients
Athletic Performance
Changes in resistance training performance, rating of perceived exertion, and blood biomarkers after six weeks of supplementation with L-citrulline vs
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Changes in resistance training performance, rating of perceived exertion, and blood biomarkers after six weeks of supplementation with L-citrulline vs
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
6 weeks
Results
CONCLUSION: Chronic citrulline supplementation seems to enhance upper body muscular endurance and post-exercise NOX response to RT, but there is no apparent difference between LC and CM in these asp.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40470618. J Int Soc Sports Nutr
5-Aminolevulinate acid improves boar semen quality by enhancing the sperm mitochondrial function.
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Purpose
5-Aminolevulinate acid improves boar semen quality by enhancing the sperm mitochondrial function.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Results
Results showed that the supplementation of 5-ALA to boar diet significantly (p < 0.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40090234. Theriogenology
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Malate research
There are currently 13 peer-reviewed studies on Malate (Malic Acid), involving 50 total participants. Research covers Fibromyalgia, Exercise performance, Energy metabolism. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Malate has been researched for: Fibromyalgia, Exercise performance, Energy metabolism. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 13 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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