'No compelling evidence' - UCI recommends against use of ketone supplements

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has officially declared that it does not recommend the use of ketone supplements by cyclists, citing a lack of compelling evidence for their performance or recovery benefits.

In a press release, cycling’s governing body addressed the growing popularity of ketone supplements in the sport, particularly since 2016, when initial research suggested potential performance benefits.

“The use of dietary supplements containing ketone bodies has become popular in endurance sports, particularly road cycling, since the publication of scientific findings from a study carried out in 2016,” the UCI explained.

Ketones are naturally occurring compounds produced by the human body during exercise when glucose supplies run low. While they can be manufactured and taken as oral supplements, their effectiveness has been increasingly questioned by scientific research.

The initial excitement around ketones stemmed from a 2016 study suggesting they could improve cycling performance when taken before or during exercise. However, the UCI notes that “these results were not confirmed by subsequent studies, and there is now a consensus that such supplements have no effect on performance during endurance exercise.”

The governing body acknowledged that follow-up research had temporarily sparked interest in ketones for recovery purposes, with some studies suggesting benefits “in terms of the speed of muscle glycogen resynthesis and endogenous EPO production,” said the UCI.

However, these potential recovery advantages have now been contradicted by more recent findings. According to the UCI, “the results of a very comprehensive, high-quality study show that taking ketones after competition or high-intensity training sessions has no effect on the quality of recovery.”

With scientific evidence failing to support either performance or recovery benefits, the UCI has taken a clear position, stating: “As there is no compelling evidence that ketone supplements enhance performance or recovery, the UCI sees no reason for them to be used. Therefore, the UCI does not recommend the inclusion of such supplements in riders’ nutritional plans.”

The statement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of nutritional supplements in professional cycling, where teams and riders constantly seek legal performance advantages in a sport where marginal gains can make significant differences.

Several high-profile WorldTour teams, including Visma | Lease a Bike, Soudal Quick-Step, Ineos Grenadiers, and Alpecin-Deceuninck, have previously acknowledged using ketone supplements or partnering with companies that produce them.

The use of these products has been controversial within the peloton despite their legality. The Movement for a Credible Cycling (MPCC) had previously condemned their use, arguing they offered an unfair advantage and raised ethical concerns.

The UCI’s position differs from the MPCC’s more hardline stance, as the governing body bases its recommendation purely on the lack of proven benefits rather than ethical considerations.