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Betaine Supplementation Improves 60 km Cycling Time Trial Performance and One-Carbon Metabolism in Cyclists During Recovery

David C Nieman, Camila A Sakaguchi, James C Williams, Jackie Lawson, Kevin C Lambirth
Nutrients 2025 17(17):2765

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 40944155
PubMed Central
PMC12430687
DOI
10.3390/nu17172765
Funding
Reported funding/support: AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG, Vienna, Austria24-0109This research and the APC were funded by AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG, Vienna, Austria, grant number 24-0109.
Competing interests
Reported disclosure: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized crossover controlled trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample21 non-elite male and female cyclists
InterventionBetaine 3 g/day versus placebo
Duration2 weeks per treatment; 2-week washout
EndpointsCycling time trial; Gut permeability; Recovery metabolites

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 2025, this source examined exercise performance and body composition. Design: Randomized crossover controlled trial. Sample/model: 21 non-elite male and female cyclists. The exposure or intervention was Betaine 3 g/day versus placebo. Follow-up or treatment period: 2 weeks per treatment; 2-week washout.

The 60 km ride was about 1.4 minutes faster with betaine (P=0.042). Gut permeability and common muscle-damage markers did not improve; one-carbon metabolites changed.

Small crossover study with a modest performance effect and extensive metabolomics testing. Replication is needed.

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Key findings

  • The 60 km ride was about 1.4 minutes faster with betaine (P=0.042).
  • Gut permeability and common muscle-damage markers did not improve; one-carbon metabolites changed.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Cycling time trial; Gut permeability; Recovery metabolites.
  • The result applies to the tested exposure: Betaine 3 g/day versus placebo; 2 weeks per treatment; 2-week washout.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Small crossover study with a modest performance effect and extensive metabolomics testing. Replication is needed.
  • An individual controlled trial must be interpreted alongside its comparator, sample size, endpoint selection and independent replication. It does not validate a different commercial formulation or a general longevity claim.
  • Source basis: Accessible full-text extract plus indexed bibliographic data. Missing method details, funding information or participant denominators are not inferred.

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology