Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40871734›Full record

ReviewNutrients2025

Ergogenic and Physiological Effects of Sports Supplements: Implications for Advertising and Consumer Information.

Pedro Estevan Navarro, Cristina González-Díaz, Rubén García Pérez, Angel Gil-Izquierdo, Carlos Javier García, Daniel Giménez-Monzo, Alejandro Perales, José Miguel Martínez Sanz

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Pedro Estevan NavarroFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-0452-0084
Cristina González-DíazPsychology and Social Communication Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-6981-0499
Rubén García PérezFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain.
Angel Gil-IzquierdoResearch Group on Quality, Safety, and Bioactivity of Plant Foods Group, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-7646-0386
Carlos Javier GarcíaResearch Group on Quality, Safety, and Bioactivity of Plant Foods Group, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-5813-092X
Daniel Giménez-MonzoDepartment of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science Health, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-6852-4922
Alejandro PeralesCommunication Sciences and Sociology, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Madrid, Spain.
José Miguel Martínez SanzResearch Group on Applied Dietetics, Nutrition and Body Composition (DANuC), University of Alicante, 03692 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-9054-3858

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe use of sports supplements has increased significantly in athletic contexts, raising the need to evaluate their efficacy, safety, regulatory status, and communication practices.

objectiveThis study aimed to describe and synthesize the ergogenic and physiological effects of Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Category A performance supplements.

methodsA descriptive and observational study was conducted, collecting and analyzing information from systematic reviews and position statements related to performance supplements, including caffeine, creatine, β-alanine, nitrate/beetroot juice, sodium bicarbonate, and glycerol.

resultsCaffeine and creatine are the only supplements with authorized health claims. However, β-alanine, nitrates, sodium bicarbonate, and glycerol show positive ergogenic effects supported by strong evidence, especially in endurance, strength, high-intensity, and aquatic sports. However, these substances lack regulatory approval, and only a small proportion of commercial products comply with current legislation.

conclusionsWhile performance supplements may enhance athletic performance when used alongside proper nutrition and scientific guidance, their effectiveness is not always consistent or assured. This review highlights the urgent need to update regulatory frameworks, harmonize labeling standards, and promote ethical marketing to safeguard consumers and support sports and nutrition professionals.

Indexed as

AdvertisingAthletic PerformanceDietary SupplementsPerformance-Enhancing SubstancesSportsSports Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaAustraliabeta-AlanineCaffeineCreatineGlycerolHumansNitratesSodium Bicarbonatebeta-AlanineCaffeineCreatineGlycerolNitratesPerformance-Enhancing SubstancesSodium Bicarbonateadvertisingathletic performanceclaimsconsumer informationergogenic effectsphysiological effectsregulatory frameworksports supplements

Identifiers

PMID40871734
PMCPMC12389294

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.