The effects of chronic betaine supplementation on body composition and performance in collegiate females: a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial

Cholewa JM, Hudson A, Cicholski T, Cervenka A, Barreno K, Broom K, Barch M, Craig SAS · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Strength and lean mass rose with training in both arms with no betaine effect, but body-fat percentage and fat mass fell further on betaine (-3.3% and -2.0 kg) than on placebo (-1.7% and -0.8 kg) — the body-composition signal without the strength one.

Population

Untrained young women beginning an 8-week resistance-training programme

Intervention

Betaine 2.5 g/day

Comparator

Placebo plus identical training

Limitations

23 participants; the last author is affiliated with a betaine manufacturer; body composition by BodPod and ultrasound; no joint outcomes.