Water retention: ‘Creatine can cause the body to retain water, leading to weight gain and a slightly bloated appearance. This is due to increased fluid uptake by muscles. However, weight gain is usually temporary and related to water, not fat,’ says Aitken. Roberts adds: ‘There is speculation around creatine affecting water retention, but this is often only under the condition of a “loading phase”, which usually resolves itself after a few weeks, and does not affect everyone who chooses to do a loading phase.’ Dextrose Monohydrate, Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Hydrolysed Whey Protein (Milk), Native Whey Protein (Milk), Flavouring, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Anti-Foam, Digezyme, Vitamin E, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin) Muscle cramps: ‘In rare cases, creatine supplementation may cause muscle cramps or strains. Staying well-hydrated and ensuring proper electrolyte balance can help prevent these issues,’ says Aitken. Long-term studies suggest that there are no negative effects associated with supplementing with creatine in healthy individuals,’ adds Roberts. ‘While there have been side effects noted, this is largely dependent on an individual’s dosing strategy, pre-existing health conditions, and overall response to supplementing creatine.’

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But, as Aitken, puts it: ‘Creatine has been shown to improve muscle strength and power output, which can translate to enhanced running performance. It may help runners generate more force with each stride and sprint at higher speeds.’ Dextrose Monohydrate, Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Hydrolysed Whey Protein (Milk), Native Whey Protein (Milk), Flavouring, Colouring (Red Beetroot Extract), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Anti-Foam, Digezyme, Vitamin E, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin) Gastrointestinal issues: Some people may experience stomach discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea, or nausea when taking creatine. ‘These effects are typically mild and can be minimised by staying properly hydrated and splitting the dosage throughout the day,’ advises Aitken. Creatine is one of the most extensively studied supplements and has been shown to increase physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high-intensity exercise,’ says Aitken.Creatine is one of the most trusted and widely researched sports supplements in the world, adds Abi Roberts, sports nutritionist at Bulk.com. ‘Creatine supplements are popularly taken by bodybuilders, powerlifters, and athletes for providing immediate energy to the muscles.’ What are the benefits of creatine? CNP Loaded EAA’s are the perfect combination of a highly functional product and some of the best, thirst quenching sweet inspired flavours on the market. CNP's EAA’s contain all 9 of the essential amino acids (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine, Lysine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Methionine and Histidine) as part of a premium recovery blend which can be used pre / intra / post workout, or any other time of the day. The powder also contains 19g of carbohydrate to replenish your energy reserves after training, along with DigeZyme Digestive Enzymes to help you break down everything you’ve just drunk. There are three flavour options – chocolate peanut, dark chocolate berry and the slightly more exotic coconut and lime. CNP Whey has been reformulated to improve the taste and texture, to rival other great tasting whey proteins such as Efectiv Whey.

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Creatine monohydrate is not only the cheapest and most common form of creatine, but it’s also the best choice. It’s been researched well, and no other formulation has been shown to be more beneficial in terms of improving performance.

When assessing costs, take into account how many servings you will get, rather than just going by the cost per tub. The recommended dose is 3-5g (up to one teaspoon) of creatine after training, so 1kg will last many months. It is naturally high in BCAAs and L-glutamine. Amino acids can be depleted during exercise, and CNP Pro Whey can help to restore them to pre workout levels.

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CNP Whey can be mixed with water to make a delicious tasting protein shake. It can be enjoyed as required. You can also get powders that contain both creatine and whey protein, or other key post-workout supplements such as BCAAs. These give your body all it needs to recover and rebuild after training. What type of creatine powder is the best?Supplementing your diet with CNP Creatine powder helps to increase your overall size and strength whilst also increasing your power and performance in the gym. CNP Creatine can be mixed with your protein shake or added to water or fruit juice for easy and convenient consumption. So, what are the benefits of creatine monohydrate? Each serving provides 21g of Protein. BCAAs and L-Glutamine have been included for their positive effect on stimulating protein bioavailability. CNP Recover is a powerful post-workout recovery formula. Post workout supplements are often misunderstood and therefore neglected but we can’t stress enough that the period following training is essential to recovery and the prevention of muscle breakdown. If you don’t take action during this critical window of opportunity (typically 30 minutes post-exercise) then you’ll miss a key time to improve and reach your goals. As Protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass, athletes and those wishing to increase muscle mass may find increasing dietary protein intake beneficial.

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While creatine is best known for increasing muscle power and providing benefits to strength and power-based activities, the potential benefits for endurance-based activities have also been investigated, explains Roberts. ‘While the overall results are fairly mixed, it does largely depend on what performance markers are being measured. Some studies have suggested that there are potential improvements in certain aspects of performance, such as sprinting ability and other high-intensity efforts during running, but there is yet to be any conclusive evidence to support this.’ But it’s important to note that the loading phase is not mandatory for creatine supplementation, he says. ‘Some individuals may choose to skip the loading phase and start with the maintenance dosage directly. This approach will still lead to increased muscle creatine levels over time, albeit at a slower pace.’Stay hydrated with this 700ml shaker, perfect for mixing your pre, intra and post workout shakes with ease!