Beta-alanine and lean mass: grade N

No benefit shown evidence. Direction: No effect.

N No benefit shown

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: Meta-analysis of 20 RCTs in the relevant population null on fat-free mass

A GRADE-assessed meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials (492 participants) found no significant effect on fat-free mass or fat mass, with similar results across training type, duration and dose; certainty was low to moderate. One author discloses industry-sponsored nutraceutical research and paid talks on beta-alanine. A 2026 meta-analysis in women found no clear effect on body fat percentage.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.

Show the numbers

Study	Year	Design	Participants	Result
Ashtary-Larky 2022	2022	meta-analysis	492	result not recorded
Gu 2026	2026	meta-analysis	312	result not recorded

Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on body composition: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ashtary-Larky D, Bagheri R, Ghanavati M. Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on body composition: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2022. PMID 35813845

Result not recorded

Design: GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials
Sample: n = 492
Population: Adults in exercise and supplementation trials
Funding: No funding (Crossref); one author discloses industry-sponsored research and paid conference talks on nutraceuticals including beta-alanine

Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on exercise performance and related physiological outcomes in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Gu J, Wei Y, Huang J. Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on exercise performance and related physiological outcomes in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis Front Nutr, 2026. PMID 42370349

Result not recorded

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials (PROSPERO CRD420261362733)
Sample: n = 312
Population: Women
Funding: Not stated in the PubMed or Crossref record; authors declare no commercial or financial conflicts

Search and history

Search (November 11, 2026): (beta-alanine[ti] OR β-alanine[ti]) AND ("body composition"[tiab] OR "lean mass"[tiab] OR "lean body mass"[tiab]) AND (meta-analysis[pt] OR systematic review[pt] OR randomized controlled trial[pt])

November 12, 2026 Graded N (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
November 13, 2026 N to N (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page