Creatine Gummies Exposed: Half the Brands Tested Failed

Are Creatine Gummies Just Expensive Lollies? What Every Triathlete Needs to Know

If you’re a triathlete trying to stay ahead of the pack, chances are you’ve heard about creatine gummies. They look like the perfect solution: convenient, tasty and easy to throw in your gym bag. But are they actually helping your training, or are you just chewing on overpriced sugar bombs?

In this blog, we break down:

• Why creatine is having a moment

• What the latest independent lab testing shows

• Which brands completely failed

• How to tell if your gummies are legit

• Whether gummies are worth it or not for triathletes

Why Creatine is Trending Hard

Creatine is no longer just for bodybuilders. From weekend warriors to busy mums, the supplement is being promoted as a must-have. Even the ABC recently reported on its rising popularity.

But here’s the kicker: while creatine monohydrate powder has decades of solid evidence behind it, the newer gummy versions? Not so much.

A Quick Creatine Refresher

Creatine is a compound made from three amino acids that helps your body rapidly produce energy (ATP) during short bursts of high-intensity activity. Think:

• Sprinting

• Hill surges on the bike

• Heavy lifting in the gym

When taken consistently, it can support increased strength, muscle mass and repeated sprint performance. But it’s not a magic bullet, and not every triathlete needs it.

Those who might benefit include:

• Sprint-distance or short-course athletes

• Power-based or team sport athletes

• Masters athletes (hello muscle loss prevention)

• Vegetarians and vegans (typically lower baseline creatine levels)

The Creatine Gummy Con: Independent Testing Reveals the Truth

Earlier this year, UK-turned-Aussie fitness coach James Smith dropped a bomb on the supplement world. He paid out of his own pocket to test nine popular creatine gummy brands in independent labs.

And the results?

Half the products had virtually NO creatine at all.

The Fails (less than 0.1g of creatine per serve):

• Overload

• Unique Physique

• Supplement with an “MNT” (no ‘E’)

• Gains Nutrition

• Push Gummies (Apple and Strawberry)

You’re basically paying for glorified candy.

The Passes (3 to 5g of creatine per serve):

• My Vitamins

• No Nutrition

• Well Boost

• Create

None were perfect, but these were close enough to the label claims to be considered legit.

Enter: An Aussie Brand Doing It Right

In good news, one Australian company – Buff Bear Gummie - is raising the bar. They:

• Independently batch test each gummy lot

• Use ACS Labs in Victoria

• Publicly display their lab reports on their website

Their latest test shows 1.245g of creatine per gummy, making it easy to calculate your correct dose.

Finally, some transparency.

How to Tell If Your Creatine Gummies Are Real or Rubbish

Before you waste money again, here are three easy checks:

1. Look at the appearance
   Real creatine does not dissolve perfectly. Gummies should look cloudy and grainy, not shiny and clear.

2. Feel the texture
   A legit creatine gummy will feel a bit gritty when you chew it.

3. Demand third-party lab testing
   No testing equals no trust. Look for clear batch-specific reports. No QR codes that lead nowhere or vague claims.

So... Are Creatine Gummies Worth It?

Maybe. But only if you’ve got a trusted, tested product.

Until more brands clean up their act, plain creatine monohydrate powder is still your safest bet. It’s cheap, proven and easy to dose correctly.

And remember, creatine only works when you take the right amount consistently. Gummies make that tough unless the content is crystal clear (pun intended).

Final Thoughts: Don't Be Fooled by Flashy Packaging

Triathletes are time-poor and goal-driven. If you’re taking supplements, you want results, not lolly water dressed up in activewear branding.

The supplement space is still a wild west, but the tide is turning. Be a critical consumer. Ask for data. Demand transparency.

Next Steps

Want help figuring out whether you need creatine, how much to take and when? That’s exactly what we cover inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy.
→ Join the waitlist here

More resources to keep learning:

• 🎧 Listen to Episode 188: Creatine Gummies vs Powder

• ✅ Grab your FREE Triathlon Nutrition Checklist

• 📋 Download the Race Day Nutrition Pack List