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Supplements/Compound

Sodium Bicarbonate

aka Baking soda

Extracellular buffer used for high-intensity exercise capacity.

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Overview

Extracellular buffer used for high-intensity exercise capacity.

Natural sources
  • Endogenously produced or biosynthesized molecule
  • Standardized pharmaceutical- or food-grade supplement
  • Combined with cofactors that improve absorption or activity
Common forms
  • Capsule or softgel
  • Powder
  • Sublingual or buccal
  • Liposomal liquid

Mechanism of action

Raises blood bicarbonate, allowing greater H+ efflux from muscle.

Pathways
  • · Raises blood bicarbonate, allowing greater H+ efflux from muscle

Effects on the body

Supports
performance in 1–7 min events

Organ system effects

Skeletal Muscle

Sodium Bicarbonate supports energy delivery, fatigue resistance, or recovery in athletic populations.

Evidence-based benefits

Improves performance in 1–7 min events

Strong evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · GI upset
  • · Bloating
Rare
    Serious
    • · Avoid in hypertension/CHF

    Drug interactions

    Prescription medications (general)
    Always disclose Sodium Bicarbonate use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
    minor

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with
    • A high-quality multivitamin
      Covers micronutrient cofactors that support most supplement pathways.
    • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
      Foundational anti-inflammatory support that complements most regimens.
    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    0.2–0.3 g/kg 60–90 min pre-exercise
    Best form
    Most evidence is based on the capsule or softgel form.
    Timing
    Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
    With food?
    With small carb meal

    Where to buy

    Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

    Scientific evidence8Show studies
    Meta-analysisSports Med · 2011

    NaHCO3 meta-analysis on performance

    Carr AJ, et al.

    Pooled analysis of NaHCO3 trials in high-intensity exercise.

    Key findings

    Small but consistent ergogenic effect.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Sodium Bicarbonate — Improves performance in 1–7 min events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Sodium Bicarbonate Improves performance in 1–7 min events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Sodium Bicarbonate and "Improves performance in 1–7 min events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Sodium Bicarbonate — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Sodium Bicarbonate randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Sodium Bicarbonate and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Sodium Bicarbonate — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Sodium Bicarbonate meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Sodium Bicarbonate and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Sodium Bicarbonate — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Sodium Bicarbonate pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Sodium Bicarbonate and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Sodium Bicarbonate — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Sodium Bicarbonate safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Sodium Bicarbonate and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Sodium Bicarbonate — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Sodium Bicarbonate dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Sodium Bicarbonate and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Sodium Bicarbonate — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Sodium Bicarbonate as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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