Evidence supporting the use of: Glycerol
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Glycerol (also known as glycerin) has been scientifically investigated as an ergogenic aid, primarily due to its properties as an osmolyte and its ability to promote hyperhydration. Research has shown that ingestion of glycerol with water can increase total body water, plasma volume, and delay dehydration, which is particularly relevant for athletes exercising in hot environments. Several studies have demonstrated that pre-exercise glycerol-induced hyperhydration can improve thermoregulation and endurance performance by reducing the rate of increase in core body temperature and prolonging time to exhaustion during prolonged exercise. This is attributed to better fluid retention and increased sweating capacity, which help in maintaining performance and delaying fatigue.
However, the overall evidence is mixed. While some studies have reported positive effects, others have found minimal or no significant benefits on exercise performance. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other sports authorities have noted the potential for misuse and have, at times, restricted glycerol use due to concerns about unfair advantage. Currently, glycerol is not classified as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but athletes should check current regulations.
In summary, there is a moderate body of scientific evidence supporting glycerol's use for fluid retention and exercise performance in specific contexts (especially endurance sports in the heat), but its efficacy is not universal or robust across all exercise settings.
Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids
7-Keto-DHEAAcetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Alpha D-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
Muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Peppermint
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
Rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
Tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
Watermelon
Whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
Yerba mate
Algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
antler
arginine creatine
Arginine nitrate
arachidonic acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
bicarbonate
Beef Protein
bovine protein
Bulbine natalensis
ba ji tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
coconut
casein
cardarine
capsinoids
citrate malate
capsiate
creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
dihydrocapsiate
deer velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
eurycomanone
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
ecdysteroids
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
ecdysterone
ephedrine
Fadogia agrestis
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
Growth factors
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Guaranine
Glycerol
Higenamine
hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
isomaltulose
Isoleucine
kola nut
ketone salts
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
macamides
maral root
Mineral ascorbate
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Methylliberine
Mate
Mushroom
macaenes
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
Ornithine
Phosphocreatine
pyrroloquinoline quinone
paraxanthine
Phytoecdysteroid
pyruvate
Phosphatidic Acid
Piper nigrum
Palatinose
Peptides
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
ribose
robusta coffee
Synephrine
Safed musli
salt
Sida cordifolia
Theobromine
Tripeptide
Trichilia catigua
Turkesterone
Trichopus zeylanicus
Theacrine
Teacrine
Tribulus Terrestris
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
Xanthine
Yohimbine