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Creatine is usually described as having no taste or smell. That said, some users report a slight sour smell, but definitely nothing bad. If brand new creatine smells bad, return it to the manufacturer for a replacement or refund. You should also be careful where you store creatine, as it can be affected by heat, humidity and direct sunlight. A sealed container of creatine can last a long time, even a year or two past the expiration date. However, if the container has been unsealed for more than 36 months, you should replace it.
Creatine should be odorless
First, let’s be clear, creatine should be odorless.
That said, I’ve seen some users describe it as having a slight sour smell.
There are even those who say it has a slightly chalky smell.
I guess it comes down to the fact that we have different senses to each other, with some being more sensitive to smell than others.
However, when you first buy creatine, and even if you’ve had a tub for a long time, it shouldn’t emit any particular bad smell.
Why does my creatine smell fishy?
If your creatine supplement emits a fishy odor, this often suggests that the product has gone bad or spoiled. Normally, creatine monohydrate is a stable substance that should not emit strong odors, especially those reminiscent of fish. In such cases, it is advisable to discard the supplement and avoid consuming it.
I researched the smelly creatine phenomenon online and was quite surprised at what I found.
In fact, I have come across various internet fitness forums and question and answer websites where tons of people have complained about the smell of creatine.
Then you know right away that something is wrong with your container.
In fact, one user just bought a brand new tub and said that after opening it, it gave off an extremely strong fishy smell.
As I mentioned, creatine is supposed to be odorless, and if you notice it has an odor, it definitely shouldn’t be a bad thing.
So our fish friend clearly got a container that broke for whatever reason.
He mentioned that he bought creatine decanate, which is slightly different from the standard monohydrate.
Creatine decanate is micronized creatine.
This simply means that creatine is essentially monohydrate, but the molecules have been cut or split.
This basically increases the surface area of the creatine, which promotes faster absorption and can reduce potential stomach discomfort.
And this is just one of them many forms of creatine.
But, in reality, even a different type of creatine should NOT smell fishy.
There is definitely something wrong with his container.
Even a small amount of water that comes into contact with creatine during the manufacturing process can have an impact.
However, if your creatine smells fishy, you know for sure that you probably shouldn’t be consuming it, you will probably feel sick.
Return the creatine to the manufacturer immediately and request a replacement or refund.
Does creatine smell?
I have to admit that I often laugh to myself because of some of the things I read on the Internet.
In fact, I found one creatine user who was convinced that creatine caused the onion smell.
He even “tested” it on himself.
On the days when he consumed creatine, he states that he definitely smelled like onions.
And even after he washed and showered.
However, as a test, he decided to go without creatine for a few days and claimed that his onion smell disappeared.
I don’t want to go into the details of this person’s personal hygiene, diet, or even his sweat glands, but this is clearly very strange.
Not only should creatine be tasteless and odorless, but it certainly shouldn’t make you smell any different when you consume it.
Okay, our friend the onion has convinced himself that creatine is clearly to blame, but I’d hazard a guess that there’s another explanation.
So, I will categorically say that creatine does not cause odor.
Where do you store creatine?
Okay, so now you know that if your brand new creatine is giving off a pungent odor that you should definitely put it back.
However, what if you’ve been taking creatine for a few weeks and suddenly it starts to smell horrible?
This may have something to do with where you store your creatine.
Creatine should always be stored in a cool, dry place.
As with most powders, you probably don’t want to store it anywhere that gets above 70F.
Okay, I understand that due to climate temperatures this is not always possible, but obviously do your best.
However, if you store your creatine container outdoors, especially near heat or direct sunlight, there is a greater chance of it going bad.
In addition, humidity can also have an effect.
So you don’t particularly want your container near a stove or microwave.
You don’t want it sitting on a shelf near a window so it’s in direct sunlight.
And it’s not a good idea to store it next to the boiler.
You probably you should not store ant species supplements in your car, especially during very hot weather.
However, storing creatine in a warmer environment or in direct sunlight may not have any effect.
But why risk it?
How long have you had creatine?
Another thing to be aware of is the expiration date of your creatine.
The vast majority of supplements will have a specific expiration date.
This is usually within a maximum of 3 years from the production of the product.
However, in reality, a sealed container of creatine that has been stored in a cool, dry place will usually last up to a year or two past the expiration date.
That said, if you have an open container for more than 36 months, I suggest throwing it away and replacing it.
I know most of us mostly buy creatine and use it regularly.
Therefore, we never get close to the actual expiration date.
But, this is definitely something you should be aware of.
Should I use creatine capsules?
I know some users are put off by the fact that their creatine smells bad.
So they could have them take creatine capsules.
In truth, if you bought a good quality creatine, there shouldn’t be any difference between the pills and the powder.
I’ve heard people say that the capsules enter the circulation faster, but I pay very little attention to that.
Creatine supplementation is about flooding the muscles with creatine and then maintaining this state.
So when you achieve this either through loading or regular consumption, there is very little difference in how “quickly” creatine is absorbed.
I will say that creatine powder is cheaper than capsules, so this is something to consider if you are on a budget.
Additionally, creatine capsules will also have an expiration date, so they can “go bad” too.
In reality, it all comes down to personal preference.
Final Thoughts
So, as you can see, if your creatine smells bad, it probably means something is wrong with it.
Creatine should definitely be odorless, but if it has a slight odor, it shouldn’t stink.
If this is a new container, return it to the manufacturer.
You should also be sure to store your creatine in a cool, dry place.
Also, don’t forget that creatine has an expiration date, so be careful how long you have the container.
So that’s the “smell” we’re talking about, but here’s another common complaint, namely, why creatine makes you feel hungry?
Hi, I’m Parta, owner and founder of My Bodyweight Exercises. I am a Level 3 Personal Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the Register of Exercise Professionals, United Kingdom. I have been attending the gym regularly since 2000 and training clients since 2012. My goal is to help you achieve your body composition goals.
