Firstly I'd like to thank Monster Supplements for sending us a box of various PhD supplements such as Diet Whey, V-PUMP MAX, Synergy, Recovery 2:1 and Whey Bars in a range of flavours. Whilst enjoying all of these (some of which I will review at a later date), I wanted to focus on the supplement which stood out most amongst them all in terms of flavour and physical impact. That supplement was PhD Nutrition's Recovery 2:1 and, specifically, Lemon Crush flavour.
Before I begin to talk about the taste, texture, physical properties and price of Recovery 2:1 Lemon Crush, lets firstly look at its ingredients and nutritional make-up. Monster Supplements sent me a few sample packs which come in 40g servings but for the purpose of the standard buyer such as yourself, this is what you will find in a packet of Recovery 2:1 (1.28kg) at a per serving level (80g) to make it more relevant to you:
So what stands out from this list of ingredients? Firstly, there is a massive 24g of fast acting finely grained protein per serving, perfect to help your muscles recover from a strenuous workout. But you might be asking why not just take a standard Whey Protein instead? Taking a Whey Protein or Whey Protein Isolate after your workouts is perfectly fine and helps promote quick recovery but the advantage of Recovery 2:1 is the other ingredients present within it.
There is 25.2g of sugar and 48g of carbohydrates in a serving which is quite high considering the RDA of sugar is 90g for a woman and 120g for a man but sugar and carbohydrates are fantastic for post workout recovery (and many Whey Protein's are low in sugar).
After training you need to replenish your glycogen levels in the muscles by consuming a highly glycemic product with fast acting protein, sugar and carbohydrates. The high glycemic carbohydrates will cause a spike in insulin which will take the carbohydrates and feed your tired muscle cells. That is why Recovery 2:1 contains ingredients to allow for this as well as a high L-Glutamine content. Glutamine can increase glycogen storage up to 16% if consumed after you have worked out, increase growth hormone secretion, reduce muscle soreness, quicken recovery, provide the catalyst for protein synthesis and help support your immune system.
Recovery 2:1 is also very low in fat and contains 3 BCAA's (branched chain amino acids) Leucine, Iso-Leucine and Valine. BCAA's are often used during workout and post workout because they also help with protein synthesis, preserving your glycogen stores and preventing catabolism, therefore promoting lean gains. Your body is in a catabolic state when you workout and glycogen stores are depleting so BCAAs will help to replenish those muscle cells by stimulating the production of insulin, making the transportation of blood sugar to the muscle cells as a source of energy happen more efficiently and therefore enabling you to feel fresher quicker than if you don't take them.
This product also contains a specialised innovative ingredient, Waxy Barley Starch. Waxy Barley Starch is very low GI and brings with it all the health benefits of barley, unlike maltodextrin and maize. After the spike in insulin, needed to turn your catabolic state into an anabolic one, Waxy Barley Starch produces a sustained release of energy which means you won't feel hungry again 30 minutes or so after taking it which happens with many Whey Protein drinks.
It is difficult for me to say whether Recovery 2:1 helped me recover after my workouts as I only tried 4 sample packets however what I can say it that it tastes fantastic, has all the perfect nutritional properties to fully replenish your body and it actually did make me feel more energetic and able to train the next day when often with a Whey Protein I need at least 2 days of recovery before I head back to the gym.
The reason I am reviewing this particular flavour, Lemon Crush, is because I really enjoyed taking this supplement and the taste was one of the main reasons.
Imagine a bottle of old fashioned lemonade or lemon sherbet. With the high sugar content, you get a really great lemon taste, not weak at all but also not too overpowering. Straight after trying it my initial thought was "Wow, that is REALLY nice!", especially with ice cold water. It is extremely refreshing so the perfect recovery drink for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and really does help to replenish those exhausted muscle cells. I've seen someone else say it tastes like lemon meringue, again because you really taste the lemon flavour after drinking it.
With a refreshing taste, it is also an extremely light drink unlike many whey protein drinks which can make you feel bloated, particularly the chocolate flavours. So this means you won't feel bloated but instead feel refreshed and energetic, ready to start training again the next day.
I'd firstly like to introduce Monster Supplements. We promote Monster Supplements coupon codes which can be used to get some great discounts when buying Recovery 2:1! But it also means they sell out quickly a lot of the time!
Nonetheless, make Monster Supplements your first port of call for a few reasons. 1. Price. 2. Our voucher codes. 3. Free same day shipping. 4. The bundle offers available with Recovery 2:1. Monster Supplements sell Recovery at a reduced price in the following bundles at the time of writing:
Other retailers that sell PhD Nutrition Recovery 2:1 that we would recommend you explore include BodyShapersFitness, Muscle Finesse, Holland & Barrett, The Health Bay and PhD Fitness.