The Claim
Creatine supplementation at a dosage of 20 grams per day for 7 days increases total body mass, lean mass, and body water in competitive swimmers without significantly altering muscle mass or bone mass, indicating that the observed weight gain is primarily attributable to water retention rather than tissue accretion.
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 20 grams of creatine daily for 7 days increases total body weight, lean mass, and water content in competitive swimmers, but does not change muscle or bone mass, meaning the weight gain comes from increased water, not new tissue.
See the scientific wording
Creatine supplementation (20 g/day for 7 days) increases body mass, lean mass, and body water in competitive swimmers, but does not significantly alter muscle or bone mass, suggesting the weight gain may be primarily due to water retention rather than true tissue accretion.
When creatine is taken, it enters muscle cells and pulls water along with it, making the muscles hold more water. This increases the total weight of the body and what looks like lean mass, but no new muscle or bone tissue is made.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Effects of creatine supplementation on the performance and body composition of competitive swimmers.
Taking creatine for a week made swimmers heavier, but not because they gained muscle or bone — it was just because their bodies held onto more water. The study confirms this exact idea.
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.