Creatine and improvement in cognitive function: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to article 13(5) of regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate whether creatine supplementation improves cognitive function in one or more domains.
Results Summary
The study found no consistent evidence supporting creatine's effect on cognitive function, with isolated acute effects at high doses (20 g/day) but no benefits at lower doses or with continuous consumption. The Panel concluded that a cause-and-effect relationship between creatine and cognitive improvement was not established.
Population
Healthy individuals and diseased individuals.
Effective Dosage
2.2-20 g/day, with acute effects observed at 20 g/day for 5-7 days and continuous consumption at 5 g/day for 6 weeks after a 5-day loading phase.
Duration
Ranged from 5-7 days for acute effects to 6 weeks for continuous consumption.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
creatine supplementation | increase | working memory | - | - | acute effect of creatine on working memory observed | #1 |
creatine supplementation | no change | working memory | - | - | acute effect of creatine on working memory was not seen | #2 |
creatine supplementation | increase | response inhibition | healthy individuals | - | effect on response inhibition | #3 |
creatine supplementation | no change | other cognitive domains | healthy individuals | - | no effects observed | #4 |
creatine supplementation | no change | cognition | diseased individuals | - | do not support an effect | #5 |
creatine supplementation | no change | improvement in cognitive function in one or more of its domains | - | - | a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established | #6 |
Following an application from Alzchem Trostberg GmbH, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Austria, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to creatine and improvement in cognitive function. The Panel considers that the food constituent, creatine, is sufficiently characterised. An improvement in cognitive function in one or more of its domains is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant identified 21 human intervention studies on creatine supplementation and measures of cognitive function through a literature search. Two additional studies published after the search was conducted were identified through the reference list of a meta-analysis. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that the acute effect of creatine on working memory, observed in two studies at 20 g/day for 5-7 days, was not seen at lower doses (2.2-14 g/day), or with continuous consumption (5 g/day for 6 weeks following a 5-day loading phase). Furthermore, the effect on response inhibition at 20 g/day for 7 days was an isolated finding among 10 intervention studies in healthy individuals, with no effects observed on other cognitive domains. The Panel also considered that the three intervention studies conducted in diseased individuals do not support an effect of creatine supplementation on cognition, and that the available evidence for a mechanism by which creatine could exert the claimed effect is weak. The Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between creatine supplementation and an improvement in cognitive function in one or more of its domains.