Scientists at St Mary’s University Twickenham have warned that intravenous vitamin and amino acid drops have no proven efficacy but carry potential health risks, including long-term ones. Article published BMJ Sports Medicine.
It has become popular among professional athletes, as not all sports organizations recognize the use of intravenous drops containing vitamins, electrolytes or amino acids as doping. Despite the potential risks, and without conclusive evidence of any real benefit, they use them to relieve fatigue and speed recovery.
The authors of the article believe that the use of IVs by healthy athletes increases the risk of infection and raises nutrient levels in their bodies to very high, super-physiological levels.
Studies have not shown benefit of injecting vitamins for healthy people. Also, no one has tracked the long-term beneficial or negative effects of IV use.
Droppers are intended for the treatment of serious diseases such as anemia or emergencies such as severe dehydration. The authors warn athletes against their use, emphasizing that it is almost certainly a waste of money, and also recommend focusing on healthy eating.