Baking Soda? As a supplement?
What exactly is sodium bicarbonate and how is it being used in endurance sports as a supplement for performance?
What is sodium bicarbonate?
Also known as baking soda, yes the baking soda sitting in your cabinet right now
It can be used to help relieve heartburn, sour stomach or indigestion
It can also make the blood and urine more alkaline in certain situations
How can it be used for athletic performance?
It can help to buffer the effects of lactic acid build up, this build up leads to muscle fatigue so the ability to relieve it can have potential benefits for endurance and power
It is an Ergegenic aid which are substances known to boost performance, stamina, or recovery.
It is believe that sodium bicarbonate helps to balance the high acidic environment in our bodies that high-intensity exercise creates
One of the biggest takeaways is that not everyone will benefit from taking this supplement, it is very individual in how it impacts each person
The effects on each individual differ greatly from some benefit to no benefit at all
Practice well in advance with dosage to see if it a supplement that would benefit you or if your GI can take it
The most cited downside is GI distress
How to incorporate it in your training?
The recommended dosage is .3-.4 grams per kg of body weight. It should be taken 60 to 90 minutes before exercise
Simply add it to water
There are also some sport nutrition companies beginning to make ready-to-go supplements
