Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword in Sports Nutrition Dissemination: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways Forward.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review systematically explores the role, current trends, challenges, and future directions of social media in disseminating sports nutrition knowledge. It examines the distinct characteristics of various social media platforms and their impact on users’ health behaviors, athletic performance, and nutritional management. RECENT FINDINGS: Social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have become essential channels for influencing users’ health behaviors through diverse content formats and personalized engagement. Long-form platforms (e.g., Bilibili, YouTube) are particularly effective in conveying systematic, educational content, while short-form platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram) excel at promoting emerging health trends and fostering engagement through bite-sized information. However, the lack of professional review and quality control on these platforms contributed to the spread of misinformation, leading to potentially harmful practices such as improper dietary adjustments and supplement misuse. The evidence underscores the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and social media platforms to ensure the dissemination of scientifically accurate and practical sports nutrition knowledge. The review also highlights the potential of data-driven, personalized recommendation systems to enhance user experience and improve the precision of nutritional interventions. Future research should focus on developing collaborative frameworks and data-driven strategies tailored to individual needs, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners to effectively leverage social media in promoting sports nutrition education and building an efficient health communication system.