Creatine goes mainstream

Creatine is currently one of the hottest topics in the field of functional ingredients. While it has long been established primarily in performance and strength sports, creatine is now increasingly found in everyday foods such as yogurt, snacks, and powdered beverages. As a result, interest in this ingredient is growing well beyond the traditional sports community – including in the areas of healthy aging, recovery, lifestyle, mental performance, and gaming.

In this issue of our newsletter, we’re shining the spotlight on this potent ingredient and telling you why you absolutely should stop by our booth at Vitafoods 2026 in Barcelona.

Creatine is a naturally occurring, low-molecular-weight compound that is primarily stored in the muscles. There, it plays a central role in energy metabolism: Creatine supports the rapid release of energy during short-term, intense physical exertion.

Your body produces creatine itself from the amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine – primarily in the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Additionally, creatine is obtained through diet, particularly from meat and fish.

However, with the growing trend toward functional foods, more and more products are now coming onto the market that contain added synthetically produced creatine: for example, protein puddings, drinkable yogurts, powdered beverages, or snack products. Synthetically produced creatine monohydrate is usually used for this purpose.

Creatine is one of the most extensively studied ingredients in sports nutrition. Its effects are particularly well-documented scientifically in the context of strength training.

For this reason, there are currently two approved health claims for creatine:

• Creatine increases physical performance during explosive strength training as part of short-term, high-intensity physical activity.
• Daily intake of creatine can enhance the effects of strength training on muscle strength in adults over 55 years of age.

To make use of these health claims, a daily intake of 3 g of creatine must be ensured. 

In our view, creatine offers a wide range of applications – particularly in powder formulations, but also in capsules and tablets.

In solid dosage forms, creatine is often used as a single ingredient. Due to its technological properties, tablets require suitable excipients. To meet the requirements for health claims, typical daily doses consist of several units. Powder products are more flexible in this regard and allow for combination with other functional ingredients.

In addition to Raspberry Rocket, we also develop other custom product concepts featuring creatine. How about, for example, a …

• Recovery drink with creatine, whey protein, and L-glutamine
• Gaming booster with creatine, taurine, caffeine, green tea extract, ginseng root extract, and B vitamins

Are you planning a product with creatine? Then feel free to contact us. Together, we’ll develop the perfect formula.