The Claim
Ingestion of sodium bicarbonate at a dosage of 0.3 g·kg⁻¹ body mass increases preexercise blood bicarbonate levels by 6.5 mmol·L⁻¹ compared to placebo in highly trained female CrossFit athletes, whereas sodium citrate and combined supplementation result in smaller or nonsignificant increases in blood bicarbonate levels under the same conditions.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
When highly trained female CrossFit athletes consume 0.3 grams of sodium bicarbonate per kilogram of body weight before exercise, their blood bicarbonate levels rise by 6.5 mmol·L⁻¹ compared to when they take a placebo. Sodium citrate and combined supplements produce smaller or no significant increases in blood bicarbonate under the same conditions.
See the scientific wording
Sodium bicarbonate ingestion at 0.3 g·kg⁻¹ body mass increases preexercise blood bicarbonate levels by 6.5 mmol·L⁻¹ compared to placebo in highly trained female CrossFit athletes, while sodium citrate and combined supplementation show smaller or nonsignificant increases.
When sodium bicarbonate is swallowed, it dissolves in the stomach and intestines, and its bicarbonate component enters the bloodstream. This raises the amount of bicarbonate in the blood, which does not happen to the same degree with other supplements like sodium citrate. The increase is strong enough to be measured before any exercise begins.
What the research says
1 studyThe study found that when highly trained female CrossFit athletes took a specific dose of baking soda before exercise, their blood bicarbonate levels rose by exactly 6.5 mmol/L — just as the claim says — and other supplements didn’t work as well.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.