The Claim

In athletic populations, adding protein to a carbohydrate and water intake regimen (35 ± 26 g PRO; 0.5 ± 0.4 g PRO·kg⁻¹) does not significantly alter subsequent athletic performance compared to carbohydrate and water alone (115 ± 61 g CHO; 0.6 ± 0.3 g CHO·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹; 1.2 ± 0.6 L), when carbohydrate or total energy intake is matched, with a mean change in power output of 0.5% (95% CI: -0.5 to 1.6%).

Source: Post-exercise Ingestion of Carbohydrate, Protein and Water: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Effects on Subsequent Athletic Performance

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
46score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Adding protein to carbs and water doesn’t really help or hurt your workout performance if you're already getting the same amount of energy.

See the scientific wording

Adding protein to carbohydrate and water (35 ± 26 g PRO; 0.5 ± 0.4 g PRO·kg⁻¹) does not significantly affect subsequent athletic performance compared to carbohydrate and water alone (115 ± 61 g CHO; 0.6 ± 0.3 g CHO·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹; 1.2 ± 0.6 L) when carbohydrate or total energy intake is matched, with a mean change in power output of 0.5% (95% CI: -0.5 to 1.6%).

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Post-exercise Ingestion of Carbohydrate, Protein and Water: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Effects on Subsequent Athletic Performance

    The study looked at whether adding protein to carbs and water helps athletes perform better in a second workout soon after the first. It found that adding protein didn’t make a meaningful difference compared to carbs and water alone.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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