By Tauan Gomes
Creatine is one of the most popular supplements among athletes and those who practice physical activities, but product adulteration has become a problem. Recently, an analysis by Abenutri (Brazilian Association of Nutritional Product Companies) revealed alarming results: of several brands examined, 18 were rejected due to impurities in their formulas. Of the rejected brands, 10 showed a deviation of 100%, which means that they did not even contain creatine – a real warning to consumers.
Anvisa (the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency) allows a variation of up to 20% in creatine content, but extreme deviations, such as those observed, raise doubts about the integrity of some products on the market. Although some of the brands that were rejected in 2023 were approved in 2024, monitoring remains essential.
What is creatine?
Creatine is a natural compound found mainly in muscles and the brain, helping to produce energy for intense and short physical activities. For this reason, it is widely used by those looking to improve physical performance and increase muscle mass.
Creatine supplementation helps provide additional energy during workouts, allowing you to train harder and harder and improve muscle recovery – essential for muscle growth. In addition, creatine contributes to increased muscle mass by promoting water retention in the muscles, which makes them larger and stronger.
How to Identify Adulterated Creatine?
Although it is not possible to identify adulterated creatine just by its appearance, some signs may raise suspicion:
- Label and packaging : Spelling errors, poorly finished stickers, poorly positioned images or lack of quality seals are signs that may indicate tampering.
- Powder Appearance : Creatine has a fine, gritty texture that does not form lumps, resembling talcum powder or flour. If the texture or appearance does not match, it is a cause for doubt.
- Price : If the product is significantly cheaper than the average market value, this could be a red flag.
These tips are a starting point for choosing supplements more safely and avoiding the risks of adulterated products, thus ensuring the best results with the use of creatine.
