Have any supplements been studied for muscle size and strength?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Supplements aimed at improving muscle size and strength are believed to enhance resistance exercise performance, stimulate muscle protein synthesis, increase fuel availability, and support recovery. Effective options include creatine, caffeine, and protein, along with other popular supplements like citrulline, nitrate, and beta-alanine.

    Supplements marketed to improve muscle size and strength are purported to do so through by enhancing resistance exercise performance (i.e., by enhancing force production or muscular endurance), by stimulating muscle protein synthesis, by increasing the availability of fuel sources (e.g., carbohydrate), and/or by supporting recovery.[1]

    Some of the most effective options are creatine,[2] caffeine,[3] and protein.[4] Other popular options include citrulline, nitrate, beta-alanine, ashwagandha, betaine, alpha-GPC, and taurine.