Creatine
Best for
Hold power across repeated sprints
Large effect, needs confirmation for 1–4 weeks · 1 meta-analysis , n=244
100 papers · 20 claims · 184 outcomes scored · 18 positive
Outcomes
What creatine actually does, by outcome
Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.
Fewer days where health problems dictate what you can and cannot do.
Burst speed and power fade less as efforts stack up.
Shortens the gap between seeing a question and having the answer.
Your muscles stockpile more of the compounds that power sprints and heavy lifts.
Higher aerobic ceiling gives more headroom at race pace.
Higher one-rep max, stronger grip, and more force from every muscle group.
More muscle tissue, better body composition, and size that reflects the work you put in.
Names, conversations, faces, and details stick instead of dissolving.
Broad gains in memory, speed, and mental sharpness at once.
Concentrate longer, resist distraction, and stay mentally sharp through demanding tasks.
Body fat percentage drops and the mirror shows it before the scale does.
More explosive takeoff force and quicker ground contact.
More watts and faster times in short all-out efforts.
More reps, more miles, and a higher ceiling before fatigue forces you to stop.
Execute skills more precisely when fatigue and pressure mount.
Stand, walk, turn, and handle stairs with less effort and more confidence.
Organize priorities, switch tasks, and catch mistakes more easily.
Deeper, less interrupted nights that leave you recharged by morning.
Less soreness, less inflammation, and quicker return to form after hard training.
Your joints stop being the first thing you notice every morning.
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Dose | Weeks | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improve everyday quality of life Likely strong benefit | | 6 meta-analyses n=928 Meta-analyzed | 5–10000 g | 1–260 wk | #10/61 |
| Hold power across repeated sprints Large effect, needs confirmation | | 8 meta-analyses n=244 Meta-analyzed | 20–20000 g | 1–4 wk | #2/14 |
| Speed up thinking and reactions Promising early signal | | 5 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed | 0.35–10000 mg | 1–260 wk | #3/28 |
| Build explosive fuel reserves in muscle Likely benefit | | 9 meta-analyses n=477 Meta-analyzed | 0.3–20000 g | 1–14 wk | #1/3 |
| Raise peak oxygen capacity Likely benefit | | 4 meta-analyses n=475 Meta-analyzed | 5.7–20000 g | 1–12 wk | #1/32 |
| Build stronger muscles Proven modest benefit | | 39 meta-analyses n=5.2k Meta-analyzed | 0.03–20000 g/kg | 1–52 wk | #1/38 |
| Build and keep muscle Proven modest benefit | | 17 meta-analyses n=5.2k Meta-analyzed | 0.05–100 g | 1–52 wk | #2/21 |
| Strengthen your memory Likely modest benefit | | 5 meta-analyses n=1.5k Meta-analyzed | 0.35–20 g | 1–6 wk | #5/42 |
| Boost overall cognitive performance Not enough research | | 4 meta-analyses n=323 Meta-analyzed | 3–100 g | 1–208 wk | #8/21 |
| Sharpen focus and mental stamina Faint early signal | | 5 meta-analyses n=307 Meta-analyzed | 3–20 g | 1–8 wk | — |
| Lose body fat Likely real but unnoticeable | | 23 meta-analyses n=6.8k Meta-analyzed | 0.05–5000 mg | 1–52 wk | #5/56 |
| Jump higher and react faster Likely real but unnoticeable | | 13 meta-analyses n=4.8k Meta-analyzed | 2–20000 g | 1–8 wk | #3/12 |
| Boost sprint speed and peak power Proven but unnoticeable | | 22 meta-analyses n=4.0k Meta-analyzed | 0.03–300 g | 0–12 wk | #2/21 |
| Last longer before giving out Proven but unnoticeable | | 20 meta-analyses n=1.7k Meta-analyzed | 0.03–3000 g | 0–12 wk | #7/40 |
| Sharpen accuracy and agility in sport Not enough research | | 2 meta-analyses n=521 Meta-analyzed | 0.03–100 mg/kg | — | #10/14 |
| Move more easily with aging Likely real but unnoticeable | | 7 meta-analyses n=503 Meta-analyzed | 0.1–25 g | 1–52 wk | #1/22 |
| Strengthen planning and mental control Barely detectable | | 2 meta-analyses n=149 Meta-analyzed | 3–20 g | 6 wk | #6/28 |
| Improve overall sleep quality Barely detectable | | 2 RCTs n=51 | 20 g | 1 wk | — |
| Recover faster after exercise Likely benefit | | 7 meta-analyses n=853 Meta-analyzed | 2–300 g | 0–8 wk | — |
| Ease joint pain Not enough research | | 1 RCT n=— | 5–20 g | 4 wk | — |
Recommended Creatine products
Real products that dose Creatine where the research does, in a clean formulation, from brands we've audited. We only list ones we'd stand behind.
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NutraBio
Creatine Monohydrate
Well dosed 5 Gram(s)/day A formulaBrand audit 90/100
-
NutraBio
100% Pure Creatine Monohydrate
Well dosed 5 Gram(s)/day A formulaBrand audit 90/100
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Nootropics Depot
Creatine Monohydrate
Well dosed 5,000 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
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NOW Sports
Micronized Creatine Monohydrate
Well dosed 4.2 Gram(s)/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
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NOW Sports
Creatine Monohydrate
Well dosed 20 Gram(s)/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
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Nootropics Depot
Creatine Monohydrate Instant
Well dosed 5,000 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
Chosen for adequate Creatine dosing vs. the studied range, a clean formulation (grade A–C), and independent brand-quality audits. Not sponsored.
Risk profile
Adverse events and known drug interactions
Safety events
Drug interactions
Co-studied with
Supplements that share evidence with creatine
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Glucose 21 shared outcomes · d=1.07 -
Calcium 15 shared outcomes · d=0.49 -
Vitamind 10 shared outcomes · d=0.23 -
Protein 6 shared outcomes · d=0.49 -
Sodium 5 shared outcomes · d=1.02 -
Magnesium 5 shared outcomes · d=1.02 -
Potassium 5 shared outcomes · d=1.02 -
Caffeine 4 shared outcomes · d=0.59 -
Coffee 3 shared outcomes · d=0.38
Sources
- 1. Effects of in-season (5 weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance and body composition in American football players. (1999) ↑
- 2. Effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation during combined strength and high intensity rowing training on performance. (2001) ↑
- 3. Effect of 12 months of creatine supplementation and whole-body resistance training on measures of bone, muscle and strength in older males. (2021) ↑
- 4. Creatine Enhances the Effects of Cluster-Set Resistance Training on Lower-Limb Body Composition and Strength in Resistance-Trained Men: A Pilot Study. (2021) ↑
- 5. Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Body Composition and Malnutrition-Inflammation Score in Hemodialysis Patients: An Exploratory 1-Year, Balanced, Double-Blind Design. (2024) ↑
- 6. The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Resistance Training-Based Changes to Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. (2024) ↑
- 7. Effects of Creatine Supplementation on the Performance, Physiological Response, and Body Composition Among Swimmers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. (2024) ↑
- 8. Additional Benefits of Creatine Supplementation with Physical Therapy and Resistance Exercise in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (2025) ↑
- 9. Meta-Analysis Examining the Importance of Creatine Ingestion Strategies on Lean Tissue Mass and Strength in Older Adults. (2021) ↑
- 10. Effects of Four Weeks of Beta-Alanine Supplementation Combined with One Week of Creatine Loading on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Military Personnel. (2022) ↑
Generated August 14, 2026
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