Creatine is generally described as having no taste or smell. Because of this, some users report a mild sour smell, but definitely nothing bad. If the 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 beyond 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 get this straight, creatine is supposed to be odorless.

Because of this, I’ve seen some users describe it as having a mild sour smell.

Some even say that it smells a bit chalky.

I think it all comes down to us having different senses to each other, where some may be more sensitive to smell than others.

However, when you first buy creatine, and even if you’ve been tubbing for a while, it shouldn’t have any particularly bad odor coming from it.

Why Does My Creatine Smell Fishy?

If your creatine supplement emits a fishy odor, this often indicates that the product has spoiled or gone bad. Basically, creatine monohydrate is a stable substance that shouldn’t emit any strong odor, especially not one 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 by what I found.

In fact, I have come across various online fitness forums and Question & Answer websites where many people complain about the smell of creatine.

This is when you immediately know something is wrong with your particular container.

In fact, one user had just purchased a brand new tub and stated that as soon as it was opened it released a very strong fishy smell.

As I mentioned, creatine is supposed to be odorless, and if you find that it has an odor, it certainly shouldn’t be bad.

So, our fishy friend pretty clearly received a container that went bad for whatever reason.

He did mention that he bought creatine decanate, which is slightly different from the standard monohydrate.

Creatine decanate is a micronized creatine.

This simply means that creatine is essentially monohydrate, but the molecules have been cut or split.

This generally increases the surface area of ​​creatine, which promotes faster absorption and can reduce potential stomach discomfort.

And this is just one of the There are many forms of creatine.

But, in reality, even other types of creatine should NOT smell fishy.

There must be something wrong with his container.

Even a small amount of water that comes into contact with creatine during the manufacturing process can have an effect.

However, if your creatine smells fishy, ​​you know you probably shouldn’t be taking it, because you will probably feel pain.

Return the creatine to the manufacturer immediately and ask for a replacement or refund.

Does Creatine Make You Stink?

I have to admit that I often laugh to myself about some of the things I read online.

In fact, I saw a creatine user who was convinced that creatine made him smell like onions.

He even “tested” it for himself.

On the days he took creatine, he said he definitely gave off an onion smell.

And this is even after he washes himself and takes a shower.

However, as a test, he decided to go without creatine for a few days, and said his onion smell disappeared.

Now, I don’t want to get into the ins-and-outs of this individual’s personal hygiene, diet, or even sweat glands, but it is clearly unique.

Not only should creatine be tasteless and odorless, you should definitely not smell any different when consumed.

Okay, our oniony friend has convinced himself that creatine is clearly to blame, but I’ll venture that there’s another explanation.

So, I would definitely say that creatine doesn’t make you smell.

Where Do You Store Your Creatine?

Okay, so now you know that if your new creatine is giving off a pungent whiff you should put it back.

However, what if you’ve had a tub of creatine for a few weeks and it suddenly starts giving off a really bad smell?

It 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 the temperature exceeds 70F.

Okay, I understand that due to the climatic temperature this is not always possible, but obviously do your best.

However, if you store your creatine container in the open, especially near heat or direct sunlight, it is more likely to break down.

Additionally, humidity can also have an effect.

So, you don’t want your container to be near the stove or microwave.

You don’t want it 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 also not store any type of ant supplement in your car, especially in very hot weather.

True, storing creatine in a warmer environment or in direct sunlight may not have any effect.

But, why should you take a chance?

How Long Have You Been Taking Your Creatine?

Another thing to be aware of is the expiration date of your creatine.

Most supplements will have a specific expiration date.

This is usually within a maximum of 3 years of product manufacture.

However, in reality, a sealed container of creatine stored in a cool, dry place will usually last up to a year or two past expiration.

Because of this, if you have an open container for more than 36 months, I suggest you throw it away and replace it.

I know most of us usually buy creatine and use it regularly.

Therefore, we don’t get anywhere near the actual expiration date.

But, this is definitely something you should know.

Should I Use Creatine Capsules?

I know some users are put off by the fact that their creatine smells bad.

So, they may be swayed to take creatine capsules.

Honestly, if you buy good quality creatine, there should be no difference between pills and powder.

I’ve heard people say that the capsules enter the circulation faster, but I don’t pay attention to it.

Creatine supplementation is all about flooding the muscles with creatine and then maintaining this state.

So, once you achieve this either through loading or regular consumption it makes very little difference how “fast” the creatine is absorbed.

I will say that creatine powder is cheaper than capsules, so it’s something to consider if you’re on a tight budget.

Plus, creatine capsules will also have an expiration date, so they can be “bad” as well.

Honestly, it just 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 be odorless, but if there is a slight odor it should not be smelly.

If it is a new container, return it to the manufacturer.

You should also make sure that you store your creatine in a cool, dry place.

Also, don’t forget that creatine has an expiration date, so be aware of how long you’ve had the container.

So, that’s the “smell” discussed, but here’s another common complaint, namely, why does creatine make you hungry??