Baking soda becomes a trend in elite sports – Johannes Hösflot Klaebo justifies its use

Many athletes are using sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. According to researchers, this substance can enhance performance by 1-2 percent.

Norwegian skier Johannes Hösflot Klaebo learned about this baking soda tip from cycling.
Baking soda usage is familiar not only in baking but also in cleaning, but athletes are increasingly using it to improve their performance.

Among others, Norwegian stars, runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen and triathlete Kristian Blummenfelt, spoke about the benefits of the substance during the Olympics.

The alkaline sodium bicarbonate neutralizes hydrogen ions produced during high-level sports performances. For example, according to the Terveurheilija website, baking soda can act as a "buffer for acidity that reduces the feeling of acidity in the body." This is particularly beneficial in endurance sports that require speed.

It is being used in skiing circles. Sweden’s star sprinter Maja Dahlqvist stated this autumn that baking soda works very well for her.

Norwegian skier Tiril Udnes Weng is also interested in this trendy substance.
"When you see headlines that Ingebrigtsen and Blummenfelt used it at the Olympics and that it plays an important part in their competition preparation, it's interesting," Weng pondered to NRK.

Norwegian skiing king Johannes Hösflot Klaebo has good experiences with baking soda, and he doesn't view its use as anything new. "I use it a little occasionally.
It's about how the acids are perceived in the body."

A small but significant benefit
Norwegian researcher Truls Raastad assessed this summer that performance at the elite level can be improved by 1-2% using sodium bicarbonate. Although the benefit is small, it can be significant in tight competition.

According to the professor, sodium bicarbonate affects the most during sports that last between two to six minutes. When the substance balances pH levels, the negative effects of acids only become noticeable after they have formed more.

Baking soda can also cause stomach issues.
Lotta Udnes Weng, like her sister, finds the substance appealing, but she has also heard stories about its downsides.
"If you take too much, your stomach can react. It’s a hassle if you have to go into the woods during a competition. Then the disadvantages are greater than the benefits," Weng thought while laughing.
To reduce stomach issues, various capsule forms of sodium bicarbonate have been developed.

Swedish skier Jonna Sundling sticks to baking in baking.
"I love baking and primarily use it in pastries. I've tried it in training too, but it didn't work so well for me. My stomach hurt."