Grenade Black Ops Review(2021) – Fat Burner, Pre-Workout Hybrid

Welcome to the most comprehensive Grenade Black Ops review on the world wide web!

Grenade Black Ops is a fat burner and pre-workout hybrid, it can be used prior to working out for increased energy levels and is also used as a fat-burning supplement. Grenade Black Ops comes in capsule form and contains 11 ingredients such as caffeine, green tea extract, cayenne, taurine, and more.

Here’s the deal:

As far as nutritional supplements produced with exercise performance in mind, fat burners can be pretty controversial. The combination of a lack of responsible regulation, and the desire of vast numbers of people to lose weight, and fat in particular, by any means possible, has led to an array of synthetically produced fat burning supplements which can be dangerous to your health!

Now:

Consequently, it is vitally important that you have the right knowledge about these products in order to make an informed decision as to whether they are safe for you to consume, and whether they actually contain any ingredients which will help you to burn more fat whilst exercising!

That’s where we come in! Our Grenade Black Ops review is designed to give you the tools to make the correct decision for your training and weight loss goals, whilst ensuring that this particular fat burner is safe for you to consume.

Everything you need to know from where to buy it and how much it costs, to a detailed breakdown of the ingredients included and how their dosages compare to the latest scientific research.

You’re welcome!

What is Grenade Black Ops?

“Black Ops is an elite weight management system developed by the multi-award-winning R&D team at Grenade and has a unique stimulatory effect which may enhance mental and physical performance.

Predominantly aimed at male users, Black Ops has a shorter duration of action than the original Grenade Thermo Detonator making it ideal for focused HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) sessions and for training later in the afternoon or early evening.

This research-supported product is perfect for delivering targeted, moderate-duration bursts of energy and thermogenesis, without causing prolonged, jittery side effects, which can occur with many fat burners and pre-workout products.”

The easiest way for us to determine whether or not this Black Ops fat burner by Grenade can live up to its own sales pitch is by taking a closer look at the ingredients included and how their dosages compare to what the latest scientific research is telling us.

But before we do, how does Grenade suggest this product be consumed for optimum effect…?

How to use it?

Take one serving (2 capsules) on an empty stomach when you wake up with water. Take one serving (2 capsules) 30 minutes prior to lunch with water. To assess tolerance, consume one capsule twice per day for the first 7 days. DO NOT exceed 4 capsules per day.

Grenade Black Ops ingredients

 

There is one question we ask ourselves before any other when it comes to the ingredients of any multi-compound nutritional supplement, and fat burners are no different. Do they appear in any proprietary blends? For the uninitiated among you, that means a mix of key ingredients where the total weight of the blend is disclosed but the quantity of each individual ingredient, which makes up that blend, is not!

This means you have no idea how much of any ingredient you are consuming per serving. Not a good place to be given how important it is to take optimum doses of ingredients in order to feel their benefits.

The good news for our Grenade Black Ops review is that every single ingredient included has its precise quantity disclosed! Yaaay!

FYI the dosages listed below are based on a 4 capsule daily serving.

Chromium 40 mcg

Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism with scientific studies demonstrating that normal dietary intake of chromium is often suboptimal. For the purposes of this Grenade Black Ops review, that obviously means supplementing with chromium could be of benefit.

Chromium has also been purported to increase lean body mass and decrease percentage body fat, which may lead to weight loss in humans.

The 40 mcg contained within this product is, however, a little shy of our recommended 100 mcg daily serving.

Caffeine- 590 mg

One of the most widely used supplement ingredients on the market, featured in energy drinks, pre-workouts, and of course fat burners, caffeine is, arguably the most common stimulant ingredient in use today, and for good reason.

By stimulating the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) caffeine increases levels of adrenaline. This helps to free fatty acids from fat stores around the body for use as fuel during exercise and day-to-day life.^[1]

Scientific research has demonstrated that even a low dose (100mg) has the potential to produce a thermogenic effect, boosting the resting metabolic rate by 3-4% over a two and half hour period.^[2]

The whopping 590 mg daily serving of caffeine you’re going to get if you follow the 4 capsule protocol advised on the official Grenade website is most certainly going to be sufficient to induce the thermogenic response we’re after. It is also, however, very likely to cause you some adverse side effects (more on that later) and is way in excess of the 400 mg daily ceiling for caffeine consumption recommended by most health professionals.

Taurine- 550 mg

Taurine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in your body. It is particularly concentrated in your brain, eyes, heart and muscles.^[3] The main sources of taurine are animal foods, such as meat, fish and dairy.^[4]

It has a number of purported health benefits including protecting against certain diseases such as diabetes, and has even been suggested to improve athletic performance.

As far as fat burning is concerned, there are some studies which indicate that taurine supplementation may increase the amount of fat you burn during exercise.^[5] Unfortunately for Grenade Black Ops, the positive effect in this case was brought about with a 1.6g dose of taurine, which means the 550 mg serving in their product is probably not going to be sufficient.

Cayenne- 500 mg

The key ingredient within cayenne pepper extract as far as fat burning is concerned is capsaicin.

Capsaicin is the compound that is responsible for the pungency of capsicums (spiciness in other words). It has been shown to increase thermogenesis by enhancing adrenaline secretion and is also capable of suppressing appetite.^[6] A pretty effective double whammy when it comes to losing weight and burning fat.

A review of 20 scientific studies concluded that capsaicin supplements can boost metabolism by up to 50 kcals a day which could lead to significant weight loss over time.^[7] Taking 2.5 mg with each meal resulted in 10% more fat being burned in the subsequent 24 hours than a control group.^[8] The suspected mechanism for this effect is based on capsaicin’s likely stimulation of  beta adrenergic agonists, which play a role in the SNS.^[9]

The whopping 500 mg of cayenne pepper extract in each 4 capsule daily serving of this Black Ops fat burner by Grenade is actually 5 times our preferred dosage of 100 mg. This means it will ABSOLUTELY have the desired effect on your metabolism!

Choline- 440 mg

Choline is a member of the vitamin B-complex which is naturally produced by the body, and is also found in a variety of food stuffs.^[10]

Some experts have reported that choline plays an important role in the metabolism of fat; breaking it down for use as an energy source. In addition to the obvious benefits of increased fat metabolism, choline has also been linked to a greater level of satiety, which, in turn, leads to a decreased consumption of calories, resulting in overall weight loss.^[11]

More human studies need to be conducted to make these purported benefits conclusive, and to really nail down an optimal dosage. One study in particular has suggested that  2.5 g, one hour before a prolonged exercise session was effective, which means the 440mg serving in this Black Ops fat burner is, in all likelihood, ineffective!^[12]

Green tea extract- 200 mg

The weight management, and specifically, fat-burning benefits of green tea are well documented, with most scientific research pointing to high levels of an antioxidant known as EGCG and the caffeine content as the key components for such effects.

Studies have demonstrated that supplementing with green tea, and in particular with ECGC can increase energy expenditure and stimulate fat oxidation.^[13]  The mechanism behind this physiological response is thought to involve the inhibition of an enzyme called catechol-o-methyltransferase, which degrades noradrenaline. By prolonging the action of noradrenaline, overall energy expenditure and fat burning, in particular, can be increased.^[14]

There isn’t really an optimum dose for green tea extract as of yet. The 200 mg contained in a daily serving of Black Ops is a little shy of our preferred 500 mg serving though!

Cacao extract- 200 mg

There is little, if any, scientific evidence to suggest that supplementing with cocoa extract can have a positive influence on your weight management or fat-burning goals, which is why we consider its inclusion in this Grenade fat burner almost entirely irrelevant!

Blue-green algae- 40 mg

Blue-green algae (known scientifically as spirulina) is a type of cyanobacteria that is a family of single-celled microbes.

It is believed to have a number of potential health benefits including reducing blood pressure, fighting cancer, and lowering cholesterol.^[15] There doesn’t seem to be any substantive scientific evidence to suggest that it can help with weight loss or fat burning, however.

Bioperine- 10 mg

Black pepper extract, which most frequently appears in fat burners as the trademarked Bioperine, supplies an active ingredient called piperine, a thermonutrient that can help to boost your metabolism.

Piperine is also purported to promote efficient food breakdown, including the enhancement of nutrient absorption; as well as inhibit adipogenesis (the formation of new fat cells).

We consider 10 mg per day an optimum dose which means the serving in Grenade Black Ops is spot on!

Grenade Black Ops benefits

If this Grenade fat burning supplement is beneficial in one area which supports weight loss then it will be thermogenesis. It contains meaningful, if not potent, servings of three ingredients in caffeine, cayenne, and Bioperine which are proven to help boost your metabolism.

As far as the other ingredients are concerned, they either have limited scientific evidence to corroborate their purported effect, in which case they are irrelevant, or they may well help you to lose weight but do not appear in the requisite quantities to make that likely.

Grenade Black Ops side effects

The ingredient you need to be most concerned about as far as potential side effects are concerned is caffeine. The 295 mg per 2 capsule serving is, on its own, perfectly capable of causing symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, jitters, and even anxiety.

As a result, the quite frankly ridiculous 590 mg dose consumed per day if you follow the recommended protocol on the official Grenade website is almost guaranteed to cause you problems, even if you are a hardened stimulant user. This dose, is in fact, way in excess of the 400 mg daily limit which most health professionals consider safe for human consumption.

Is it a scam?

This product is in no way a scam. Grenade is a well-respected nutritional supplement manufacturer with products across the marketplace. Black Ops contains multiple proven ingredients at effective levels to help you lose weight. Much like other products in the fat burner arena, however, it also contains some underdosed ingredients and others which simply aren’t going to be of much help to you!

Grenade Black Ops fat burner reviews we found online

●    Amazon customer reviews- 3.8 out of 5 stars”

• 5 out of 5 stars, 6 March 2019- Good but manage expectations:
  • “I do semi professional bodybuilding and was looking to get myself onto a comp but was struggling with cutting my body fat by the last few percent. Thought I would try these as what did I have to lose? Well I lost the percentage a little easier after taking these, but they are NOT a miracle cure at all. Don’t believe that they are, but they can give you a little helping hand. Quick tip, they suggest taking them on a empty stomach after waking, I’d suggest taking with a glass of milk or soy as it gave me evil heartburn when taken with plain water.”

• 1 out of 5 stars, 25 December 2018- Didn’t work for me:
  • “This product really didn’t work for me. It made my body go to a point of tremble and anxiety. Ditched them after a week.”

• 3 out of 5 stars, 31 October 2017- Not sure if it’s the best way:
  • “I can’t post a totally honest review, as I gave up on my training, but basically they contain a whole host of ingredients that make you less hungry, visit the bathroom a little more and give the energy of a three year old child on a sugar overload…I think that’s why I didn’t take them for long, I was spending a lot of time at work in the loo.. mostly peeing!”

Grenade Black Ops price and where to buy?

You can purchase this product on the official Grenade website for a price of $59.71 which works out at $1.19 per 2 capsules serving and $2.40 per day. So pretty expensive then!

You can also find Black Ops for sale at global online retail giant Amazon, and third-party supplement sites such as Holland and Barrett, musclefood.com and supplementcentre.com so be sure to shop around for the best price!

Summary

All in all, a pretty mixed Grenade Black Ops review to be honest. There are certainly some encouraging features within this product including the likely thermogenic effect strong doses of caffeine, cayenne and piperine are likely to have and the increased potential for fat burning as a result.

Unfortunately, however, there are probably too many ingredients in this product that simply don’t have the scientific backing to support their inclusion or feature at ineffective dosages. Add to that, the fact one of the most proven and effective ingredients is dosed so highly that it’s just as likely to cause you serious side effects as it is to help you lose weight and things don’t look particularly good for Black Ops.

For over $2 per day, I think it’s fair to expect a little more for your money, and for that reason, our Black Ops fat burner by Grenade review would probably recommend you keep looking for that “perfect” weight loss supplement.

References:

^[1] Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism- Obesity Reviews 2011
^[2]  Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism- Obesity Reviews 2011
^[3] Effect of taurine supplementation on exercise capacity of patients with heart failure- J Cardiol. 2011 May;57(3):333-7
^[4] The taurine content of common foodstuffs- JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1990 Mar-Apr;14(2):183-8.
^[5] The effect of acute taurine ingestion on endurance performance and metabolism in well-trained cyclists- Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2010 Aug;20(4):322-9.
^[6] Obesity and thermogenesis related to the consumption of caffeine, ephedrine, capsaicin and green tea
^[7] Capsaicinoids and capsinoids. A potential role for weight management? A systematic review of the evidence- Appetite 2012
^[8] Acute Effects of Capsaicin on Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Negative Energy Balance- PLOS one 2013
^[9] Obesity and thermogenesis related to the consumption of caffeine, ephedrine, capsaicin and green tea
^[10] Effect of Choline Supplementation on Rapid Weight Loss and Biochemical Variables Among Female Taekwondo and Judo Athletes- J Hum Kinet. 2014 Mar 27; 40: 77–82.
^[11] Effect of Choline Supplementation on Rapid Weight Loss and Biochemical Variables Among Female Taekwondo and Judo Athletes- J Hum Kinet. 2014 Mar 27; 40: 77–82.
^[12] Use of dietary supplements in Olympic athletes is decreasing: a follow-up study between 2002 and 2009.-Heikkinen A, Alaranta A, Helenius I, Vasankari T-J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2011 Feb 4; 8(1):1.
^[13] The effects of EGCG on fat oxidation and endurance performance in male cyclists- International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
^[14] Green tea catechin consumption enhances exercise-induced abdominal fat loss in overweight and obese adults- Journal of Nutrition 2009
^[15] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina#section3