Baking Soda Boosts Athletic Performance, But Some Athletes Experience Side Effects

Elite athletes are exploring various methods to gain a competitive edge, with sodium bicarbonate emerging as a substance of interest for its potential to boost performance.

Norwegian research suggests that consuming baking soda can improve an athlete's performance by up to 2% by altering the perception of exertion. This effect is particularly relevant for events like the women's 400-meter hurdles, where a 53.19-second time would rank second in Europe, significantly better than Hilla Uusimäki's Finnish record of 54.28 seconds.

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Based on that, I don't want to try it in competition.

However, the use of sodium bicarbonate is not without its drawbacks. Uusimäki, a prominent Finnish hurdler, reported experiencing stomach problems and an unpleasant bodily sensation after trying it. "Based on that, I don't want to try it in competition," she stated, emphasizing the importance of testing the substance beforehand to avoid adverse effects that could hinder performance.

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Some take capsules, some directly from the jar.

Despite individual experiences, sodium bicarbonate is recognized as one of five supplements with proven performance-enhancing effects, alongside caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and nitrates. Tuomo Salonen, director of elite sports at the Finnish Athletics Federation, noted that a substantial number of athletes competing in middle-distance events at the European Championships likely use sodium bicarbonate. He observed empty supplement containers in the warm-up areas, suggesting widespread use.

To mitigate the gastrointestinal side effects, some athletes are using specialized products, such as Maurten's hydrogel preparations, which are designed to reduce stomach discomfort. Uusimäki, for her part, is focusing on her training and upcoming competitions, including the Finnish Championships, aiming to perform at her best without relying on sodium bicarbonate.

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If you look in the trash cans in the warm-up area for the major competitions, there are quite a lot of empty Maurten cups.