Glycine is the smallest of the twenty amino acids that make up proteins: its side chain is a single hydrogen atom. Its name comes from the Greek glykys, “sweet”, the taste that struck the chemists who isolated it in the 19th century.

It belongs to the so-called non-essential amino acids: the body can make it from other molecules, and part of our intake comes from food. It is most present in collagen, where it accounts for about one amino acid in three, which is why gelatine and long-simmered bone broths are the richest sources. Glycine powder, by contrast, provides just one amino acid and no animal material at all.

Nutripure glycine comes as fine white crystals. Crystallisation is the step that separates glycine from the other compounds formed during production. Purification uses water over activated charcoal, with no alcohol-type solvent.

The composition fits in one word: glycine. Per 100 g of powder: 100 g of glycine, 0 g of fat, 0 g of carbohydrates. No excipient, flow agent, flavouring or sweetener. Each batch is tested by laboratories in France, and the product is made in line with the EN 17444 anti-doping standard, a useful reference for athletes subject to testing.

Glycine tastes sweet although it is not a sugar. Its sweetening power is estimated at 0.6 to 0.9 compared with table sugar, making it 30 to 40% less sweet, close to glucose. Dissolved in water, it has a light, pleasant taste with no aftertaste.

It can soften a plain yoghurt, a porridge or an evening herbal tea. It does not replace sugar in baking, since it neither caramelises nor adds volume.

Nutripure recommends 10 g a day, i.e. one 10 ml scoop, supplied in the bag, dissolved in a glass of water in one or two servings. The brand suggests taking it in the evening with a meal, or after training for athletes. Ten grams would be about fifteen capsules, hence the powder. It dissolves quickly in cold water and is stable to heat, so it can go into tea or coffee. The 310 g bag holds 31 servings, one month of daily use.

For adults only. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medication, or have kidney or liver disease, ask your doctor first. Close the bag carefully and keep it in a cool, dry place away from light.

Nutripure was founded in 2017 by Christophe Carrio, five-time world champion in artistic karate with a dietetics diploma, and his brother Florent, an engineer. The company is based in Haute-Garonne, near Toulouse, and favours short formulas and named ingredients.

We chose to list Nutripure at Herba Barona, 10 rue Théophile Roussel in Paris 12th, for that transparency. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, a few minutes from Ledru-Rollin and Bastille metro stations; this page shows the product’s current availability.