Would you eat a spoonful of baking soda for a pre-race meal? Taking sodium bicarbonate–commonly known as baking soda–ahead of competition has become a popular hack for enhancing performance. The supplement helps clear muscle acidity that builds up during high-intensity exercise, delaying fatigue and that “burning” sensation and allowing an athlete to sustain an intense effort for longer. This leaves some runners wondering: shouldn’t this performance-enhancing supplement be banned?
Maurten’s safe system
Over the past year, Swedish sports fuel company Maurten’s Bicarb System has taken off in popularity; it was reportedly the most popular supplement at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Bicarb System provides the performance benefits of baking soda without the stress on the stomach; taking straight baking soda can result in include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and the sudden and urgent need for a bowel movement. Now, with minimal risk of undesired results, elite athletes aren’t hesitating to take advantage of this performance enhancer.
Should it be banned?
Users online are attributing recent progress in elite running performances to baking soda. “It is turning pedestrian 800m runners into world-[record] beaters,” one person wrote. “The sub-elites that I know that use it say it basically eliminates what holds them back, [and] they just reach their full mechanical potential. Unbelievable [that] this is allowed.”
Caffeine and beet juice are both proven to boost performance, but aren’t banned–in fact, they are recommended. Baking soda is no different–it’s just finally safe to consume.
Users flooded the comments with humorous and sarcastic responses. “It also won’t be banned because how would it be tested?” one comment read. “It’s in food. Would there be a two muffin per day limit?”
“I believe they are banning carbo loading soon too,” the comments continued.
“The solution is clear,” one user wrote. “Anti-doping agencies must raid bakeries immediately [and] should test for pre-race biscuit consumption. WADA must consider banning all athletes who have ever eaten a muffin. It’s time to clean up our sport. Ban pretzels. Save the future of running!”
Performance-enhancing–but at what cost?
Straight baking soda is very affordable–you’ll only need two to three teaspoons per dose, which costs about $0.08. It has the potential to improve your race performance by one to three per cent–that is, if you time everything right and your stomach agrees. Most sources recommend taking it 60 to 180 minutes ahead of competition. But mistiming your intake could set you up for failure on race day.
The Bicarb system can boost your run without the risk of ruining your race day goals, but it will make quite a dent in your bank account. The Maurten product costs C$95 for four servings–equal to about C$24 per race.
If you want to give one of the two methods a shot, play it safe and try it during a workout instead, to avoid derailing your race. No need to rush with your trial run–this performance-enhancer won’t be banned any sooner than your morning coffee or mid-race gels.
