{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "@id": "https://scienceinsport.com/blogs/nutrition/sports-supplements-what-works#faq",
  "mainEntity": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Which sports supplements actually work?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "A short list has strong evidence: carbohydrate fuel for use during exercise, caffeine, and electrolytes like sodium for hydration when losses are high, with a few others for specific athletes and events. Most performance, though, comes from the fundamentals rather than any supplement."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What should I prioritise before taking supplements?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "The fundamentals: adequate overall energy, carbohydrate to fuel performance, protein for recovery, and good hydration with electrolytes. No supplement compensates for getting these wrong, and most available performance lives here, so nail the basics before considering extras."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How do I know if a supplement is worth taking?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Ask whether there is genuine evidence it works beyond the manufacturer's claims, whether it addresses a need you actually have, and whether your fundamentals are in place first. If the answer to any is no, it probably is not worth your money. Consider product quality and safety too."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Are most sports supplements worth buying?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "No. The largest category has weak, absent or marketing-based support, offering little beyond an expensive placebo for most athletes. Be sceptical of exotic ingredients, vague proprietary blends and dramatic claims, and focus on the few products with genuine evidence."
      }
    }
  ]
}