The Claim
Short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation (20 g/day for 3 days followed by 5 g/day for 7 days) causes a significant increase in fat-free mass, total body water, and body weight in healthy young men, with an average 1.6% increase in fat-free mass and 2.2% increase in total body water, indicating acute fluid retention and lean mass changes independent of exercise.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Taking creatine for just a week can make young, healthy guys gain a little weight and look more muscular—even if they don’t work out, mostly because of water holding in their muscles.
See the scientific wording
Short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation (20 g/day for 3 days followed by 5 g/day for 7 days) causes a significant increase in fat-free mass, total body water, and body weight in healthy young men, with an average 1.6% increase in fat-free mass and 2.2% increase in total body water, indicating acute fluid retention and lean mass changes independent of exercise.
What the research says
1 studyThe study gave young men the same creatine dose described in the claim and found they gained lean mass and water weight, just like the claim says.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.