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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Creatine vs Soy Protein: Creatine has the stronger overall evidence (9.5 vs 6.5/10); they're alternatives for build strength & muscle — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Creatine wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Likely helps
8 of 10 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Creatine and Soy Protein have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
5g daily
Any time, Post-workout may have slight advantage
Monohydrate powder
20-40g per serving for muscle (aim ~2-3g leucine); ~25g/day is the level associated with cholesterol lowering (the cited meta-analysis averaged 47g/day)
Any time of day
Soy protein isolate
2-4 weeks
1-2 weeks
First week
2-4 weeks
6-12 weeks
4-12 weeks
Acute
Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Females Taking Oral Creatine Monohydrate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2020) · Meta analysis · n=951
Six hundred and fifty-six studies were identified where creatine supplementation was the primary intervention; fifty-eight were female only studies (9%).
International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2017) · Systematic review
Increases strength by 5-15%
Effects of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Muscle Strength Gains in Adults <50 Years of Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis · n=509
In comparison with a placebo, creatine supplementation combined with resistance training significantly increased upper-body (WMD = 4.43 kg, p < 0.001) and lower-body strength (WMD = 11.35 kg, p < 0.001).
No Difference Between the Effects of Supplementing With Soy Protein Versus Animal Protein on Gains in Muscle Mass and Strength in Response to Resistance Exercise.
Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab (2018) · Meta analysis · n=266
Nine studies (266 participants); soy vs whey/animal protein with resistance training ≥6 weeks
Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids.
N Engl J Med (1995) · Meta analysis
38 controlled clinical trials; mean soy intake ~47g/day
Effects of high-quality protein supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with metabolic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Clin Nutr (2024) · Meta analysis
63 RCTs across soy, milk, whey, and casein protein
The 5 g point is a crossover trial in 123 adults taking 5 g a day for 6 weeks (PMID 37968687): the effect on backward digit span only bordered significance (p = 0.064), reasoning (Raven's matrices) did not change, and side effects were 4.25 times more common than on placebo. The 20 g point is a one-week trial of 5 g four times a day in 32 older adults, where most memory tasks improved (PMID 17828627). A meta-analysis of 10 trials found a small memory benefit (SMD 0.29), mostly in adults aged 66 to 76, with no effect of dose across 2.2 to 20 g a day (PMID 35984306), so the curve is flat. The two trials differ in age and length as well as dose. No minimum or optimal dose is established.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Creatine has a higher evidence score (9.5/10 vs 6.5/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For build strength & muscle, Creatine has a higher relevance score (98 vs 56).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
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The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.