Winter Sports: Miracle Powder is Conquering Ski Sports – But Jonna Sundling is Skeptical

Winter Sports: Miracle Powder is Conquering Ski Sports – But Jonna Sundling is Skeptical

Updated December 19, 2024

Jakob Ingebrigtsen uses it, just like many other Norwegian sports stars. Now, bicarbonate, often referred to as miracle powder, is taking the ski world by storm, but not everyone is convinced.

This versatile bicarbonate, which is also effective in cleaning, has made a splash in athletic circles with superstars like runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen and now skier Johannes Hösflot Kläbo endorsing it. "I use it occasionally and learned about it from cycling. It’s really about how you experience acid in your body," explains Hösflot Kläbo regarding its effects.

Sebastian Samuelsson, a biathlete, also utilizes bicarbonate. "Norway is a few years behind; I’ve used it for four or five years. It buffers lactic acid, and while I’m not the world’s best medical expert, I feel it benefits me," Samuelsson tells SVT, noting he takes it during tough training sessions and before competitions.

Jonna Sundling's Experience

Jonna Sundling, currently the world’s top female sprinter, has tried bicarbonate but hasn't seen the benefits she expected. "I love to bake and use it mainly in baking. I’ve also tried it in training, but it did not work well for me; I get stomach aches," she says to NRK.

Doctor's Perspective

Swedish national team doctor Rickard Noberius isn’t convinced that using bicarbonate provides significant advantages. "I believe it may have a marginal effect," he says to SVT Sport about bicarbonate, which has been in use since at least the 1980s.

However, a professor interviewed by NRK mentions a potential performance improvement of one to two percent with favorable preparations. For a thirty-minute performance, this could mean an improvement of 18 to 36 seconds, which could be the difference between being on the podium and finishing out of the top ten. The supplement is said to help reduce lactic acid.

Read More: Researcher on Bicarbonate: 'Should Be Classified as a Performance-Enhancer'