The Claim
Creatine monohydrate supplementation at 10 g/day during six weeks of strength training in junior female wrestlers resulted in a significant increase in body weight and body mass index, with no significant change in body fat percentage or fat-free mass, indicating that the weight gain was primarily attributable to water retention rather than lean tissue accretion.
What the research says
Challenges is higher
Challenge is ahead, but a single strong supporting 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.
In junior female wrestlers undergoing six weeks of strength training, taking 10 grams of creatine monohydrate daily increased body weight and body mass index without changing body fat percentage or fat-free mass, meaning the weight gain came from water retention, not muscle growth.
See the scientific wording
Creatine monohydrate supplementation (10 g/day) during six weeks of strength training in junior female wrestlers led to a significant increase in body weight and body mass index, but did not significantly alter body fat percentage or fat-free mass, suggesting weight gain was primarily due to water retention rather than lean tissue accretion.
Creatine draws water into muscle cells because it attracts and holds water, making the muscles swell with fluid. This extra water adds weight without building muscle or fat, which is why the body gets heavier but doesn't gain lean tissue or lose fat.
What the research says
1 studyThe study found that young female wrestlers who took creatine gained weight, but it didn’t measure if they gained fat, muscle, or just water — so we can’t say for sure why they got heavier.
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.