The Claim

Oral hydroxycitrate supplementation (500 mg) with a high-carbohydrate meal following endurance exercise increases the rate of muscle glycogen synthesis by approximately 100% in healthy young men.

Source: Oral hydroxycitrate supplementation enhances glycogen synthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle

What the research says

Supports is higher

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

Supports
59score
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.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking 500 mg of hydroxycitrate with a high-carbohydrate meal after endurance exercise doubles the rate at which muscle glycogen is restored in healthy young men.

See the scientific wording

Oral hydroxycitrate supplementation (500 mg) with a high-carbohydrate meal following endurance exercise increases the rate of muscle glycogen synthesis by approximately 100% in healthy young men, suggesting a potential role in accelerating post-exercise glycogen repletion.

Why this might work

After exercise, a supplement blocks a key step in sugar breakdown, forcing sugar molecules to be stored as energy reserves in muscle instead of being burned for fuel. At the same time, the body switches to burning fat for energy, which leaves more sugar available to be stored as glycogen.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Oral hydroxycitrate supplementation enhances glycogen synthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle

    This study found that taking 500 mg of hydroxycitrate after a workout with a carb-rich meal made muscles refill their energy stores twice as fast as without it. So yes, it really can double glycogen recovery.

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.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.