If you guys had to list the top things a pump product needs to have in it before you buy. What would they be?
It really depends.
Usually Citrulline + Glycerol + Nitrates or Vaso-6 (I prefer to cycle them so I'll use one while I take a break from the other) for me.
It will probably depend on what benefits you want from your pump. I use other things that benefit pump as well though and usually don't use things to get a pump, but that is more a byproduct of their use (I want performance, recovery, etc.).
Tough question, but I’m really like the combo of nitrates + glycerol in Noxygen. Very simple, effective product
I think the Glycerol + Nitrate combo is near the top of beneficial combos.
Can someone explain creatine nitrate vs sodium nitrate vs betaine nitrate vs arginine nitrate. Is one better than another ?
You just want the nitrate that is attached to those. Typically you won't get enough creatine/betaine/etc and are really just after the nitrate content.
For example 1g Arginine Nitrate will provide roughly 250mg Nitrate + 750mg Arginine. Therefore to reach adequate Nitrate dosage you'd want 2-3g (500-1g Nitrate).
You can figure it out with the molecular weight of the ingredients and doing some science, but in general:
1g Arginine Nitrate will give you 260mg Nitrate
1g Creatine Nitrate will give you 320mg Nitrate
1g Betaine Nitrate will give you 350mg Nitrate
I think 1g of Citrulline Nitrate was 250ishmg of Nitrate as well (but I forget and don't see that as often)
I don't remember Sodium or Potassium off the top of my head but pretty sure they give larger doses of Nitrate per gram than these amino acid equivalents.
Edit: Also keep in mind this is probably one you don't want too much. Huge Nitrate doses could lower blood pressure too much (because it is super effective). When in a pump formula and if you get Nitrates via diet of other plentiful vegetables/etc. then the 500mg area is quite beneficial/effective for most (like the 2g Arginine Nitrate you find in a full serving of Vasoblitz or High Volume).