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Nab7.5
Sodium Bicarbonate Research
Probably helps
465 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Probably helps
Sodium Bicarbonate helped in about half (6/10) of the studies that measured an effect — promising, but not unanimous.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1980–2026 with a typical study size of 149 participants.
Based on 465 studies · 50 meta-analyses · 388 RCTs · 11,903 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
6helped4unclear· 455 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Endurance & exercise performance1-3% improvement in high-intensity performance · Acute (1-2 hours after dose) · Buffers lactate; improves short-duration high-intensity work · 60-120 minutes
84 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
198020032026
1Athletic performance in elite soccer playersSystematic ReviewCited 29×n=1,043 · large study2023
Still, more well-designed research with elite soccer players is needed to improve support and advice regarding the use of dietary supplements for athletic performance enhancement.
Abreu R et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2023)
Nitrate-rich beetroot concentrate can attenuate performance decrease in the days following matches.
Further investigation with sodium bicarbonate alone is necessary, as supplementation protocols with elite players included other substances.
Finally, the available data does not support yohimbine supplementation or the use of Resurgex Plus® to improve athletic performance in elite soccer players.
2Estimated glomerular filtration rateMeta-AnalysisCited 11×n=2,037 · very large study2024
In patients with CKD and MA, sodium bicarbonate supplementation may provide potential benefits in preventing the deterioration of kidney function and increasing muscle mass.
Yang TY et al. · Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Fourteen RCTs comprising 2037 patients demonstrated that sodium bicarbonate supplementation significantly improved eGFR (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03 to 0.63; P = 0.03).
The group receiving sodium bicarbonate had a lower hospitalization rate (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.55; P < 0.001).
Higher mid-arm muscle circumference was observed with sodium bicarbonate treatment compared with those without (SMD, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.38; P = 0.003, I2<0.001).
3Systolic blood pressureMeta-AnalysisCited 19×n=2,110 · very large study2023
Our results suggest, with moderate certainty, that sodium bicarbonate supplementation does not adversely affect systolic BP in CKD or negatively influence antihypertensive medication requirements.
Beynon-Cobb B et al. · Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN (2023)
Similarly, there was no significant increase in the use of antihypertensive medication or diuretics in individuals taking sodium bicarbonate, whereas there was a greater decrease in antihypertensive medication use in individuals taking sodium bicarbonate compared with controls.
Our results suggest, with moderate certainty, that sodium bicarbonate supplementation does not adversely affect systolic BP in CKD or negatively influence antihypertensive medication requirements.
4Cycling performanceSystematic ReviewCited 5×n=701 · large study2024
However, no statistically significant effects were identified for the remaining supplements, whether administered individually or in combination.
Valiño-Marques A et al. · Nutrients (2024)
However, no statistically significant effects were identified for the remaining supplements, whether administered individually or in combination.
Thirty-six articles involving 701 participants were included in this review, examining supplementation with caffeine (n = 5), creatine (n = 2), sodium bicarbonate (n = 6), beta-alanine (n = 3), and nitrates (n = 8).
Additionally, supplemental combinations of caffeine and creatine (n = 3), caffeine and sodium bicarbonate (n = 3), caffeine and nitrates (n = 1), creatine and sodium bicarbonate (n = 1), and sodium bicarbonate and beta-alanine (n = 4) were analyzed.