Ribose

Ribose is a sugar that the body produces through glucose metabolism and is in turn used to replenish ATP stores in muscle cells. Therefore it plays an important role in muscle energy production. Many bodybuilders and strength athletes use ribose supplements in the belief that they accelerate muscle recovery by increasing the rate of ATP synthesis after workouts.

However, studies have demonstrated unequivocally that ribose does not have this effect. For example, in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Belgian study, subjects performed an intensive regimen of lower-body strength exercises over a six-day period. Subjects who took a ribose supplement neither replenished ATP stores faster than placebo subjects nor outperformed them in the strength tests.