Beyond Raw LIT V2

GNC's Ready-to-Drink Pre-Workout Skips the Shaker Without Skipping the Science

Beyond Raw LIT V2 On-The-Go packs 250mg caffeine, 5g citrulline, and 3.2g beta-alanine into a 16oz can. Here's what's actually in it.

Beyond Raw LIT V2

Beyond Raw LIT V2 is GNC's on-the-go answer to the "I forgot my shaker bottle" problem. It's a 16-ounce ready-to-drink pre-workout that trades the scoop-and-stir routine for a pull-tab can, without gutting the formula down to a caffeine-and-hope situation. The V2 update leans into that positioning hard: 250mg of caffeine from green coffee bean extract, 5g of L-citrulline, 3.2g of beta-alanine, and a trio of patented cognitive and absorption ingredients that most canned pre-workouts skip entirely.

This isn't Beyond Raw's flagship LIT, the tub-and-scoop original. It's the convenience-format sibling, built for the person who wants gym-day intensity without a blender bottle rattling around their gym bag.

Buy Beyond Raw Lit Drink at GNC

Beyond Raw LIT V2 On-The-Go Nutrition Facts

Per 16 fl. oz. can (1 serving):

  • Calories: 30
Beyond Raw LIT V2 On-The-Go beyond raw lit v2 label facts panel passion orange guava
  • Total Carbohydrate: 4g
  • Total Sugars: 0g (0g Added Sugars)
  • Sodium: 130mg (6% DV)
  • Potassium: 40mg (1% DV)

At 30 calories and zero sugar, this isn't a treat drink dressed up as a pre-workout. It's built to disappear into your day the way an energy drink does, while doing pre-workout-level work on the performance side.

LIT V2 On-The-Go Ingredients

Each 16oz can delivers the following key actives:

  • L-Citrulline - 5g

    L-citrulline is the ingredient doing the heavy lifting on the pump side of this formula, and 5g is a strong dose, on the high end of what's typically used in clinical research. Citrulline works by bypassing the liver's arsenal of arginine-clearing enzymes, getting converted to L-arginine primarily in the kidneys instead, which is why oral citrulline raises blood arginine levels more reliably than eating arginine directly.[1] More circulating arginine means more raw material for nitric oxide production, which is what drives the vein-y, full-muscle pump lifters chase. A meta-analysis restricted to acute doses of 3g or more found a small but real strength and power benefit versus placebo,[2] and a separate citrulline malate meta-analysis found meaningful increases in total reps to failure at doses in the 6-8g range.[3] Citrulline has also shown blood pressure-lowering effects at chronic doses of 6g or more per day,[4] so it's worth a mention if you're already managing blood pressure medication.

  • Beta-Alanine - 3.2g

    Beyond Raw LIT V2 On-The-Go beyond raw lit v2 passion orange guava 12pack hero

    Beta-alanine is the ingredient responsible for that tingling, prickly-skin sensation you might feel after cracking this can, and it's completely normal. Beta-alanine is the rate-limiting building block for muscle carnosine, a compound that buffers the acid buildup that makes your muscles burn and eventually give out during hard sets.[5] At 3.2g, this can sits right in the sweet spot researchers have used to reliably raise carnosine stores over a month of consistent use.[5] That same dose range has been validated in trials tracking carnosine elevation over time.[6] The clearest performance window for beta-alanine is exercise lasting roughly 30 seconds to 10 minutes, exactly where sets of 8-15 reps and hard finishing supersets live.[7] A 2024 meta-analysis in trained lifters found the biggest benefit specifically in that 4-10 minute range and confirmed that higher doses (5.6-6.4g/day) outperform lower ones.[8] The tingling itself isn't a side effect to worry about. It's just how the compound moves through your system.

  • Caffeine (from Green Coffee Bean Extract) - 250mg

    Caffeine is the backbone of the energy and focus claim here, and 250mg from Coffea arabica extract puts this can toward the upper-intense end of the RTD category. Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors that signal fatigue in your brain, which is why it clears mental fog and sharpens focus almost immediately.[9] The ISSN's position stand on caffeine and exercise settles on 3-6mg/kg bodyweight as the effective range for endurance, strength, and high-intensity output, which for most adults lands right around this can's dose.[10] On the strength side specifically, a 2024 umbrella review pooling nine meta-analyses found caffeine meaningfully increases both strength and muscular endurance, with bigger effects at doses of 5mg/kg or more.[11] Sourcing it from green coffee bean extract rather than synthetic anhydrous caffeine is largely a marketing distinction. Either way, the caffeine molecule behaves the same in your body.[10]

  • Citicoline (as Cognizin) - 250mg

    Beyond Raw LIT V2 On-The-Go beyond raw lit v2 on the go gummy shark

    Citicoline, sold here under the branded form Cognizin, is where this formula separates itself from a standard stim-and-pump can. Citicoline supplies raw material for phosphatidylcholine, the dominant structural fat in neuron membranes, while also feeding acetylcholine production, the neurotransmitter tied most directly to focus and recall.[12] At 250mg, this can matches the exact dose used in a 2021 randomized trial that found meaningful improvements in episodic memory and composite memory scores over 12 weeks in adults with age-related memory complaints.[13] It's also the dose shown in a separate trial to significantly cut attention lapses on a sustained attention test in healthy women.[14] Citicoline is well tolerated across the clinical literature, with adverse events historically reported less often in citicoline groups than placebo groups.[15] For a canned RTD, including a clinically dosed nootropic like this instead of a fractional "pixie dust" amount is a genuine formulation flex.

  • Senactiv - 50mg

    Senactiv is a patented blend of Panax notoginseng root and Rosa roxburghii fruit extracts, and it's the least familiar name on this label to most drinkers. Its headline mechanism is senolytic: the active compound, ginsenoside Rg1, appears to help the body clear out senescent muscle cells after hard training so they can be replaced with healthier ones.[16] In a human trial using this exact 50mg standardized dose format, Rg1 supplementation increased time to exhaustion at 80% VO2max by roughly 20% and boosted post-exercise glycogen resynthesis nearly threefold compared to placebo.[17] A related crossover trial found Rg1 preserved satellite cells, the muscle's own repair cells, that would otherwise be depleted by hard aerobic exercise.[18] It's not a household ingredient yet, but the endurance and recovery data behind it are more substantial than its low profile suggests.

  • AstraGin - 50mg

    AstraGin doesn't do anything on its own for energy or pumps. Its job is absorption: helping your body actually take up the other actives in this can. It's a blend of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng root extracts that appears to upregulate amino acid and glucose transporters along the gut wall.[19] In a human pharmacokinetic trial using this same 50mg dose, AstraGin increased arginine absorption by over 17% and dramatically improved the arginine-to-ADMA ratio, a marker tied to nitric oxide availability.[19] A separate 2026 trial found AstraGin improved BCAA absorption from whey protein after four weeks of daily use, with the biggest gains showing up in older adults.[20] In a formula built around a 5g citrulline dose, an absorption-boosting ingredient like this earns its spot on the label.

  • Vitamins and Minerals

    • Sodium (as Sodium Citrate) - 130mg (6% DV)

      Sodium, delivered here as sodium citrate, is doing double duty as an electrolyte and a mild buffering agent. Sodium citrate is best known in sports nutrition for its role in blunting the acid buildup that causes fatigue during intense efforts, and it can modestly expand plasma volume alongside sodium's basic hydration role.[21] At 130mg, this can is delivering a fraction of the multi-gram doses used in dedicated buffering research, so think of it here as electrolyte support rather than a standalone performance ingredient.

    • Potassium (as Monopotassium Phosphate) - 40mg (1% DV)

      Potassium is the second electrolyte in the mix, replacing some of what you sweat out during a hard session. Sweat potassium losses run in the range of 150-275 micrograms per milliliter of sweat, making it one of the more meaningfully depleted minerals during training.[22] At 40mg per can, this is a supportive dose rather than a full replacement strategy, useful alongside water but not a substitute for it on long or hot training days.

  • Other Ingredients

    • Carbonated Water - the base and carrier for the formula, also responsible for the can's fizz.
    Beyond Raw LIT V2 On-The-Go beyond raw lit v2 passion orange guava facts panel how to
    • Citric Acid - a tart, sour flavoring agent that also helps balance pH.
    • Natural Flavors - proprietary flavor compounds behind the Gummy Shark, Gummy Worm, and Passion Orange Guava profiles.
    • Sucralose - the zero-calorie sweetener responsible for the sweetness here, with no sugar or carbs contributed.
    • Sodium Benzoate - a preservative that helps prevent microbial growth in the can.
    • Potassium Sorbate - a second preservative, typically paired with sodium benzoate for broader shelf stability.

Flavors Available

  • Gummy Shark (12 Cans: $25.49Coupon code: PRICEPLOW15)
  • Gummy Worm (12 Cans: $25.49Coupon code: PRICEPLOW15)
  • Passion Orange Guava (12 Cans: $25.49Coupon code: PRICEPLOW15)
  • Snow Cone (12 Cans: $20.39Coupon code: PRICEPLOW15)
  • Watermelon Candy (12 Cans: $20.39Coupon code: PRICEPLOW15)

Who It's For

  • Lifters who hate mixing powder: If you're training straight from work or don't want to carry a shaker bottle, this can gets you the same core actives as a scoop-based pre-workout with zero prep.
  • People sensitive to mega-dose stim blends: At 250mg caffeine with a nootropic and absorption stack layered in, this sits in the intense-but-not-reckless tier, not the 300mg+ category built for stim veterans.

The Can That Actually Backs Up the Label

This is a rare canned pre-workout where the ingredient list matches the marketing copy. 5g citrulline and 3.2g beta-alanine are real clinical doses, not the diluted amounts typically found in RTD formats, and pairing 250mg caffeine with 250mg Cognizin gives it a real nootropic case beyond simple stimulation. If you want a grab-and-go pre-workout that doesn't cut corners to fit in a can, this is one of the more honest formulas doing it.

Buy Beyond Raw Lit Drink at GNC

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References

  1. Schwedhelm, Edzard, et al. "Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of oral L-citrulline and L-arginine: impact on nitric oxide metabolism." British journal of clinical pharmacology, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02990.x
  2. Trexler, Eric T, et al. "Acute Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on High-Intensity Strength and Power Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01091-z
  3. Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad, et al. "Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate on Repetition Performance During Strength Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0295
  4. Barkhidarian, Bahareh, et al. "Effects of L-citrulline supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 2019. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6369322/
  5. Harris, R C, et al. "The absorption of orally supplied beta-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis." Amino acids, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0299-9
  6. Hill, C A, et al. "Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity." Amino acids, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0364-4
  7. Saunders, Bryan, et al. "β-alanine supplementation to improve exercise capacity and performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096396
  8. Georgiou, George D, et al. "Effect of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Maximal Intensity Exercise in Trained Young Male Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2024-0027
  9. McLellan, Tom M. et al. "A Review Of Caffeine S Effects On Cognitive Physical And Occupational Performance." Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001
  10. Guest, Nanci S. et al. "International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand Caffeine And Exercise Performance." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4
  11. Bilondi, Hossein Taghizadeh, et al. "The Effect Of Caffeine Supplementation On Muscular Strength And Endurance A Meta Analysis Of Meta Analyses." Heliyon, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35025
  12. Conant, Richard, et al. "Therapeutic applications of citicoline for stroke and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly: a review of the literature." Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic, 2004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15005642/
  13. Nakazaki, Eri, et al. "Citicoline And Memory Function In Healthy Older Adults A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial." The Journal of Nutrition, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab119
  14. McGlade, Erin, et al. "Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration In Healthy Adult Women." Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2012. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2012.36103
  15. Fioravanti, M, et al. "Cytidinediphosphocholine (CDP-choline) for cognitive and behavioural disturbances associated with chronic cerebral disorders in the elderly." The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000269.pub3
  16. Kuo, Chia-Hua. "Exercise Against Aging Darwinian Natural Selection Among Fit And Unfit Cells Inside Human Body." Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-019-0002-y
  17. Hou, Chien-Wen, et al. "Improved Inflammatory Balance Of Human Skeletal Muscle During Exercise After Supplementations Of The Ginseng Based Steroid Rg1." PloS one, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116387
  18. Wu, Jinfu, et al. "Satellite Cells Depletion In Exercising Human Skeletal Muscle Is Restored By Ginseng Component Rg1 Supplementation." Journal of Functional Foods, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.j
  19. Lin, Ching-Pin, et al. "Pharmacokinetic effects of AstraGin® (Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng) with L-arginine on nitric oxide bioavailability." Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 2023. https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i6.1104
  20. Zhuang, Shu Ru, et al. "Effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng Saponins Extract on the Pharmacokinetics of Whey Protein Absorption, Intestinal Permeability, and Muscle Function: A Pilot Study." Nutrients, 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18030504
  21. Siegler, Jason C, et al. "The Hyperhydration Potential of Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Citrate." International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0179
  22. Montain, Scott J, et al. "Sweat mineral-element responses during 7 h of exercise-heat stress." International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.17.6.574
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