Creatine HCL vs. Monohydrate: Cutting Through the Hype

by Alexander A. Digital Marketing Consultant

What is Creatine Hydrochloride?

Creatine Hydrochloride (HCL) has been created because of monohydrate’s characteristics of not easily being dissolved. By adding creatine molecule to the hydrochloride group, creatine becomes more acidic and more soluble in nature.

From the experiments conducted by most researchers, creatine when mixed in a glass of water dissolves in an instant with no sedimentation sitting in the bottom of the glass while Creatine Monohydrate has particles left undissolved. And since these particles don't easily dissolve in water, and so with your intestines. This will later result in the particles not crossing into your intestine and into your bloodstream easily. Due to that, a great deal of creatine monohydrate is left in your intestinal tract. This then may eventually cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea.

Which is more soluble- Creatine Monohydrate or Creatine Hydrochloride?

With regard to these experiments results, it proves then the claim of researchers that creatine HCL is really by 60% better than creatine monohydrate when it comes to absorption. In a simpler note, you can definitely get similar results as creatine monohydrate by taking a smaller dose of creatine HCL with lesser potential side effects.

This claim has been further backed by a study published in Food and Nutrition Sciences, researchers at the University of Sao Judas Tadeu in Sao Paulo Brazil compares creatine monohydrate supplementation to creatine HCL supplementation in bodybuilders. The study concluded that both supplements yield the same performance results but with minimal stomach discomfort with creatine HCL.

Now, are we claiming that creatine monohydrate is bad?

No. Definitely not. It’s just that Creatine Hydrochloride (HCL) is better when it comes to solubility and absorption. After all it was created based from creatine monohydrate with the intention of having an improved version of it.

But in any case, this is all personal preference, you can do trial and error to know what’s best for your body and importantly to your lifestyle.