Made in the EU Health registration 26.025358/GI EU-authorised health claims

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Science library

Creatine studies

Creatine monohydrate is one of the most studied supplements in the world. These are the papers that mark its scientific history, from sports performance to active ageing.

  • 17key studies
  • 2003–2025years of research
  • 7study types

17 key studies from 2003 to 2025, with a link to the original source.

2020-2026

  1. 2025

    ReviewSafety

    Part II. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?

    Antonio J. et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2025

    What was studied
    Second part of the review of frequently asked questions about creatine, with new questions raised by users and professionals.
    Key point
    The most recent evidence to settle the usual questions about its use.
    Read the source
  2. 2024

    Meta-analysisBrain

    The effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Xu C. et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2024

    What was studied
    Analysed trials on creatine and different domains of cognitive function in adults.
    Key point
    Extends the line of research to memory, attention and processing speed.
    Read the source
  3. 2023

    Meta-analysisBrain

    Effects of creatine supplementation on memory in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

    Prokopidis K. et al. · Nutrition Reviews · 2023

    What was studied
    Pooled the randomised trials on creatine and memory in healthy people.
    Key point
    One of the most cited recent references on creatine and the brain.
    Read the source
  4. 2022

    Critical reviewForms

    Bioavailability, Efficacy, Safety, and Regulatory Status of Creatine and Related Compounds: A Critical Review

    Kreider R.B. et al. · Nutrients · 2022

    What was studied
    Analysed the bioavailability, efficacy, safety and regulatory status of creatine and related compounds.
    Key point
    Reaffirms creatine monohydrate as the form with the strongest scientific backing.
    Read the source
  5. 2021

    ReviewWomen

    Creatine Supplementation in Women’s Health: A Lifespan Perspective

    Smith-Ryan A.E. et al. · Nutrients · 2021

    What was studied
    Reviewed research on creatine in women across the lifespan, from youth to post-menopause.
    Key point
    Positions creatine as a topic of growing interest in women’s health.
    Read the source
  6. 2021

    ReviewSafety

    Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?

    Antonio J. et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2021

    What was studied
    Answered the most frequent questions about creatine with evidence: water, loading, age, women and more.
    Key point
    A reference guide to understanding creatine through data.
    Read the source
  7. 2020

    Systematic reviewPlant-based diets

    Benefits of Creatine Supplementation for Vegetarians Compared to Omnivorous Athletes: A Systematic Review

    Kaviani M. et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2020

    What was studied
    Compared creatine supplementation in vegetarian and omnivorous athletes.
    Key point
    Vegetarians, with a lower dietary intake of creatine, start from lower muscle stores.
    Read the source

2010-2019

  1. 2018

    Systematic reviewBrain

    Effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function of healthy individuals: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

    Avgerinos K.I. et al. · Experimental Gerontology · 2018

    What was studied
    Reviewed the randomised trials on creatine and cognitive function in healthy people.
    Key point
    One of the first systematic reviews on creatine and the brain.
    Read the source
  2. 2017

    Meta-analysisActive ageing

    Effect of creatine supplementation during resistance training on lean tissue mass and muscular strength in older adults: a meta-analysis

    Chilibeck P.D. et al. · Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine · 2017

    What was studied
    Pooled the trials of creatine during strength training in older adults.
    Key point
    Found greater gains in upper- and lower-body strength with creatine than with placebo.
    Read the source
  3. 2017

    Position standSafety

    International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine

    Kreider R.B. et al. (ISSN) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2017

    What was studied
    Updated the ISSN’s official position on the safety and efficacy of creatine.
    Key point
    Creatine monohydrate is the most effective supplement for high intensity exercise capacity, and its short- and long-term use is safe in healthy people at recommended doses.
    Read the source
  4. 2016

    Scientific opinionRegulation

    Creatine in combination with resistance training and improvement in muscle strength

    EFSA (NDA Panel) · EFSA Journal · 2016

    What was studied
    Assessed creatine combined with resistance training and muscle strength in adults over 55.
    Key point
    Its favourable opinion led to the health claim authorised in the EU in 2017.
    Read the source
  5. 2014

    Meta-analysisActive ageing

    Creatine supplementation during resistance training in older adults: a meta-analysis

    Devries M.C., Phillips S.M. · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2014

    What was studied
    Analysed the trials combining creatine and strength training in older adults.
    Key point
    Found greater strength gains when combining creatine with training than with training alone.
    Read the source
  6. 2012

    ReviewPerformance

    Creatine supplementation with specific view to exercise/sports performance: an update

    Cooper R. et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2012

    What was studied
    Updated the evidence on creatine and sports performance.
    Key point
    Reviewed the mechanisms, from phosphocreatine to ATP resynthesis, and the types of exercise in which creatine is most useful.
    Read the source
  7. 2011

    ReviewForms

    Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine

    Jäger R. et al. · Amino Acids · 2011

    What was studied
    Compared the efficacy, safety and regulatory status of the different forms of creatine on the market.
    Key point
    Creatine monohydrate remains the reference form and the most studied.
    Read the source

2002-2009

  1. 2007

    Position standPerformance

    International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: creatine supplementation and exercise

    Buford T.W. et al. (ISSN) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2007

    What was studied
    The ISSN reviewed the available evidence on creatine and exercise.
    Key point
    Concluded that creatine monohydrate is the most effective nutritional supplement for increasing high intensity exercise capacity.
    Read the source
  2. 2003

    Clinical trialBrain

    Oral creatine monohydrate supplementation improves brain performance: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial

    Rae C. et al. · Proceedings of the Royal Society B · 2003

    What was studied
    Double-blind trial in 45 young vegetarians who took 5 g of creatine or placebo daily for six weeks, with working memory and intelligence tests.
    Key point
    A pioneering study that opened the line of research on creatine and brain function.
    Read the source
  3. 2003

    Meta-analysisPerformance

    Effect of creatine supplementation on body composition and performance: a meta-analysis

    Branch J.D. · International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism · 2003

    What was studied
    Pooled around a hundred studies to analyse the effect of creatine in different types of exercise.
    Key point
    The clearest effect was seen in repeated short, intense efforts.
    Read the source

The summaries describe each study in plain language. For full details, always consult the original source.

What European regulation recognises

EU-authorised health claim

Creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise.

With 3 g of creatine per day.

EU-authorised health claim

Daily creatine consumption can enhance the effect of resistance training on muscle strength in adults over the age of 55.

With 3 g per day together with regular resistance training.

Other timelines