Betaine May Help Improve Athletic Performance

Betaine is a compound that occurs naturally in the body. It can also be found in foods such as beets, spinach, cereals, seafood, and wine. A recent study has found that betaine supplementation may help improve performance and increase fat free mass in female athletes.

Twenty-three physically active college aged women participated in the study. They were given 2.4 grams of betaine or a placebo daily for 2 weeks. Fat free mass was measured at baseline and at the end of the study period. They performed a cycle test and 3 sprint tests at the beginning and end of the study.

Participants in the betaine group saw a 3.2% increase in mean power output compared to baseline and a lower rating of perceived exertion. In addition, they saw a significant increase in fat free mass.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of North Alabama. It was published online ahead of print on September 3, 2021, in the Journal of Dietary Supplements.