![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/be18e-bucked-up-pump-18-1.jpg?w=819&h=1024\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore I tell you the secret, though, I want to make sure we\u2019re on the same page. You need to know the astonishing benefits of the pump (cell swelling)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Transport nutrients to aid in recovery<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It\u2019s closely aligned with internal validation and what the avocado toast eaters call \u201cself-love\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Satiates even the most insatiable egos<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Encourage hypertrophy (muscle growth)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Can improve cardiovascular health<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Provides motivation — unlike your hype gym partner who bailed…again.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Astounding, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the problem: to get a truly epic pump the body needs to be primed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people fail here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two biggest culprits for pump failure\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Dehydration: muscles are like grapes. Hydrated, they\u2019re plump and juicy. Dehydrated, though…shriveled raisins. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Poor blood flow: Remember, to achieve the pump requires blood to pool into muscles. It needs to travel quickly from point A to point B. Think of your blood vessels like freeways, and your blood like that sweet new electric sports car. That sports car is made to go fast. If there\u2019s a traffic jam, that\u2019s impossible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
To achieve the pump every time, we have to solve those two problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, we will be solving those two problems. By the end of this article, you will learn what foods are best for hydration and for blood flow. As well as one simple cheat code for optimizing your pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PUMP Factor #1: Foods For Blood Flow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cinnamon: <\/strong>Animal studies have shown cinnamon improves blood vessel dilation. (2<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pomegranate: <\/strong>High in polyphenol antioxidants and nitrates. Nitrates are potent vasodilators. One study found that subjects who consumed 1000mg of pomegranate extract 30 minutes prior to working out increased blood, and consequently exercise performance. (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garlic: <\/strong>A powerhouse of health benefits, one of them being better flow-mediated vasodilation. One interesting study had 42 subjects consume garlic twice daily for three months. Results: they experienced a 50% increase in blood flow through the upper arm artery. (3<\/a>) And really, is there anywhere more important than the upper arm for experiencing the PUMP<\/a>? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s a rhetorical question. Of course there isn\u2019t — okay, maybe glutes or quads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salmon or other fatty fish: <\/strong>Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Among nearly every other benefit known to man, omega-3 fatty acids promote the release of nitric oxide (i.e. vasodilation). (4<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beets: <\/strong>These are as close to healthy cheat codes for the pump as you can get. In my younger years, I remember seeing the local gym-deity drinking what I thought was some clumpy red wine prior to his workout. I\u2019m inquisitive about pretty much everything, and back then would look for any way to justify my drinking \u201chabits.\u201d I asked him whether it was Pinot Noir or Cabernet, and if the red wine antioxidants were what gave him such great pumps. He gave me his secret. Beet Juice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naturally I looked it up. Sure enough, beet juice improves oxygen flow in muscle tissue, stimulates it, and increases nitric oxide levels. I still don\u2019t have his 20\u201d arms, but the pump from beets is pretty dope.(5<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turmeric: <\/strong>If you\u2019ve read literally anything about healthy nutrients, you know about Turmeric and the compound found within, curcumin. Aside from being a powerful tool in alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress, it can also increase nitric oxide production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a fun fact for all you naturopathic enlightened beings: Both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine have utilized turmeric for the pump. (6<\/a>) Although they probably didn\u2019t call it the pump — they weren\u2019t that <\/em>woke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, for all you who disavow anything not grounded in science (modern man\u2019s dogma), one study of subjects taking 2,000mg of curcumin daily showed a 37% increase in forearm blood flow and 36% increase in upper arm flow.(7<\/a>) In other words, the subjects had to go out and buy new t-shirts since they ripped their sleeves during the 12 week study — last part is speculatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-556875-3996516.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/coffee-and-pb-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPeanut Butter: <\/strong>Fellow peanut butter addicts rejoice! As a superb source of iron, magnesium, and potassium, peanut butter can seriously help with blood flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make it even more beneficial for the pump, spread it on a slice of sprouted bread (rich in l-arginine and complex carbs), laden it with sliced strawberries for hydration as well as some raspberries for those antioxidants, and you have yourself a magnificent pre-workout snack. I\u2019d site some studies here, but I\u2019m fairly certain my own self-experimentation wouldn\u2019t be recognized as a \u201ccredible source\u201d so you\u2019ll just have to take my word for it. Worst case scenario, it doesn\u2019t give you a massive pump. At least you had an excuse to indulge in the greatest gourmet dishes in all of history — as well as perhaps one of mankind\u2019s most astounding achievements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spinach: <\/strong>On the opposite end of the deliciousness spectrum, we have leafy greens, like spinach. Spinach is packed with magnesium, which is pro-blood flow. Also, leafy greens are high in nitrates, which converts to nitric oxide, leading to better pumps. (8<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAW Citrulline: <\/strong>If you feel like bypassing finding a food that\u2019s rich in the king of nitric oxide boosting amino acids — L-Citrulline — you can always just stock up on some Bucked Up RAW L-Citrulline<\/a>. It\u2019s flavorless, so you can mix it into your existing pre-workout.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pump Factor #2: Hydration + Electrolyte Balance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If your goal is to achieve maximal pumps, hydration is of critical importance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When looking at foods and drinks to improve hydration, things to look at are the water content in what you\u2019re ingesting as well as if it\u2019s rich in electrolytes or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electrolytes are a word that gets thrown around a lot, but it\u2019s not often explained much. We\u2019re just told it\u2019s good for performance and health as if we\u2019re expected to make purchases such as carby sports drinks just because someone said to…and we usually do, so, good going sports drink companies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To put it simply, electrolytes are electrically charged minerals; cells, muscles, and organs require both fluids and electrolytes in order to work properly. And by work properly, I\u2019m of course referring to muscle contractions and nutrient delivery for better pumps. Electrolytes help regulate the balance of fluid in the body. Some types of electrolytes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Sodium<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Potassium<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Calcium <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Magnesium <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sulfate<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chloride<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Electrolyte Rich Foods <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Watermelon: <\/strong> With a water content of 92%, watermelon is top notch for hydration. It also contains magnesium for that ever-important electrolyte balance.(9<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cucumber<\/strong>: Water content — 95%. As well as being made up of 95% water, cucumbers also deliver some pump-positive nutrients; potassium and magnesium. (10<\/a>) You can easily add them to your diet with salads, or throw them in your water with some lime and enjoy the perfect refreshing summery beverage. Admittedly, this method isn\u2019t the best way to get all a cucumber\u2019s nutrients, but if you\u2019re like me and excel at tricking yourself into thinking someone\u2019s totally healthy, it\u2019ll probably work all right. Wait…something, not someone. Paging Dr. Freud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strawberries: <\/strong> Not only do these succulent delicacies contain 91% water, they also provide several antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and manganese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celery: <\/strong>I know. They\u2019re not delicious. Get over it. These bland veggies boast 95% water content and they come packed with potassium. On top of their hydrating properties, celery can also help remove toxins from the body, which may or may not lead to helping you rid toxic people from your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To solve celery\u2019s serious lack of taste, just do what subpar Americanized mexican fast food restaurants do with their subpar burritos. Smother away. Using peanut butter, not cheese or red sauce. This simultaneously makes celery edible and further boosts pump-potential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Himalayan Rock Salt: <\/strong>Salt in general is good for electrolyte balance since sodium is an electrolyte (so long as you aren\u2019t eating the typical salt-heavy, potassium null diet). Himalayan Rock Salt, however, takes your hydration game up about eighty notches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This precious pink salt is a mine of electrolyte benefits. (11<\/a>) It\u2019s rich in over 80 essential minerals, including; potassium, magnesium, sulfate, calcium, and chloride. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-556875-3996516.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/avocado.wide_-1024x379.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAvocado: <\/strong>Avocados are as close to diamonds as a food can be; both in the awe they inspire and the sacrifices made to acquire them. Having recently earned the moniker \u201cblood avocados,\u2019 there\u2019s a reason westerners allow the negative impacts of avocado farming (e.g. pesticide use, monoculture, deforestation, human rights violations, and farmers getting killed by the drug cartel) to continue. No, it\u2019s not just for Instagram. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason we turn a blind eye is because avocados are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. They act as a nutrient booster, enabling the body to absorb more fat soluble foods. They have more than 25 essential nutrients, including potassium and magnesium. They\u2019re full of healthy fats, which can boost blood flow. And let\u2019s not forget…guacamole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pumpkin Seeds: <\/strong>An excellent source of the electrolyte, magnesium (74 milligrams in as little as two tablespoons). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exogenous Ketones: <\/strong>Okay, this isn\u2019t technically a food, but exogenous ketones<\/a> supply a massive amount of magnesium as well as other minerals that can aid the pump. Even if you aren\u2019t on the keto diet, this supplement hack can simultaneously up your workout game and help preserve muscle mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mix n\u2019 Match: Blood Flow and Hydration Foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-556875-3996516.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/athlete.girl_.running-1024x739.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s be honest, you\u2019re not going to race to your local grocer and stock up on all of these foods at once. For one, that\u2019d cost a grip. For two, talk about a pain in the ass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My suggestion: treat yourself like your own personal lab rat and experiment. Try pairing a little watermelon with pomegranates pre-workout. Drink some beet juice and chop up some cucumber to put as a side dish with your salmon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t worry about the sea salt; you can find Himalayan salt in any Bucked Up pre-workout. And for some of the aforementioned foods that take time to start showing results, check out extracts, or multivitamins that contain some. For example, Bucked Up Immune Support<\/a> boasts a solid amount of Turmeric Extract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, if all that experimentation still isn\u2019t enough, there\u2019s one method I\u2019ve found works wonders…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take The Shortcut<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Oftentimes shortcuts appear in life; some are great while others can set us back in the long run. Luckily, the shortcut I suggest belongs in the former grouping. It won\u2019t fully replace proper nutrition, but it can close the gap between proper and perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shortcut I recommend is that you embrace the future. Accept the PUMP-OCALYPSE. It succeeds where many other pump products fail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does PUMP-OCALYPSE Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bucked Up\u2019s PUMP-OCALYPSE<\/a> solves those two problems — dehydration and blood flow* — the way a simple janitor approaches the chalkboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pump](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ca905-pumpocalypse.jpg?w=1024&h=1024\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUsing two powerful cellular hydrating ingredients (Betaine Anhydrous, GlycerPump), PUMP-OCALYPSE doesn\u2019t just hydrate muscles. It HYPERHYDRATES them.* Grapey AF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for blood flow. PUMP-OCALYPSE is loaded with three different ingredients (Agmatine, Arginine HCL, L-Citrulline) to widen and relax blood vessels,* clearing the freeway for FAST transportation, and portentous pumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I<\/b>n case that wasn’t enough…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We added Peak O2. This Scientifically developed blend of mushroom strains has been clinically shown to increase strength and power output.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s right. PUMP-OCALYPSE isn\u2019t just a short term investment for looking your best. It\u2019s a long-term one too. Every pump achieved in the gym with PUMP-OCALYPSE is a step toward more strength,* which means double the gainz!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You do want gainz, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good. I thought so. Now click here<\/a>. Go on, you can do it. I believe in you. You\u2019re the best. You know how to make the easy decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Hmmm…I don\u2019t make such a bad hype man myself)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But seriously. Go get your PUMP + GAINZ on.<\/a> Learn more about flexible dieting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Pomegranate: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4146683\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cinnamon: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4312399\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Garlic: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5731260\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fatty fish: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4153275\/<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Beets: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4153275\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ayurvedic Turmuric: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK92752\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Curcumin Modern: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5310664\/<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leafy Greens: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4525132\/<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Watermelon: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4464475\/<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cucumber: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5084017\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pink Himalayan Salt: http:\/\/revroum.lew.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Art%2004.pdf<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We all have a Hype Man (or woman) in our lives. That friend who always says, \u201cYou got this!\u201d \u201cYou rock!\u201d and encourages you to reach your true potential.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":248249474,"featured_media":2803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[320,19932],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","category-life-style"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/248249474"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2761"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2761\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Cinnamon: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4312399\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pomegranate: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4146683\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n