Hydrogel Bicarbonate: Boost Your Watts Without Cramps

How Bicarbonate Improves Performance

Muscle Acidosis: the Silent Enemy of Athletes

Whether you’re a recreational cyclist or a seasoned competitor, you’ve likely felt that intense muscle burn. It has a name: muscle acidosis. It occurs when your body accumulates too many hydrogen ions (H⁺), which reduces performance and accelerates fatigue.

Bicarbonate: a Natural Buffer Against Acidity

Sodium bicarbonate acts as an effective buffer, neutralizing H⁺ ions in the blood. This helps you sustain high-intensity efforts longer by delaying muscle fatigue. The mechanism is well documented scientifically.

The downside? Frequent digestive issues when bicarbonate is consumed in its traditional form.

Hydrogel: the Technology That Changes Everything

Why “Pure” Bicarbonate Causes Digestive Issues

Pure bicarbonate—often taken as powder (like baking soda)—is notorious for causing nausea, bloating, or diarrhea. The reason: a harsh reaction in the stomach that generates gas and irritation, especially at effective doses (around 0.3 g/kg body weight).

Maurten Bicarb: the Innovation That Reduces Discomfort

Maurten has developed an innovative solution: bicarbonate encapsulated in a hydrogel. The gel acts as a protective shield around the molecule, significantly reducing stomach reactions.

Result: less discomfort, more performance.

What Recent Studies Say About Hydrogel Bicarbonate

A Confirmed 1.4% Gain in a 40 km Cycling Time Trial

A randomized study published in July 2024 in the European Journal of Applied Physiology showed clear results:

• Cyclists using hydrogel bicarbonate improved their time by an average of 54 seconds over 40 km.
• That’s a 1.4% gain—a decisive edge in competition.
• (DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05567-3)

The Gut Factor: What Athletes Have Been Waiting For

The study also highlighted a crucial point: no increase in digestive issues was observed. For athletes, this marks a real turning point in bicarbonate use.

How to Test Maurten Bicarbonate Effectively

A Precise Protocol for Optimal Results

To get the most out of Maurten Bicarb:

• Recommended dose: ~0.3 g/kg body weight, taken 90 minutes before a high-intensity effort (> 60 minutes).
• Record your sensations at each test (perceived exertion, performance, digestion).
• Run multiple trials in training to fine-tune your strategy.

Why Track Nutritional Impact with Diet Mate

Adding a supplement like bicarbonate requires an individualized approach.

With Diet Mate, your smart voice-first nutrition journal, you can track tests effortlessly. A simple voice note lets you log nutrition during training, monitor performance over time, and find your optimal balance.

→ Learn how to integrate your Maurten Bicarb tests with Diet Mate.

Hydrogel Bicarbonate: Who Is It For?

Which Athletes Benefit Most?

Maurten Bicarb is designed for endurance athletes:

• Cyclists
• Triathletes
• Long-distance runners
• Rowers

It’s particularly effective for high-intensity efforts lasting over 60 minutes, where every second counts.

Essential Precautions Before Using

Even with improved tolerance, a few rules apply:

• Always test in training, never first in competition.
• Increase doses gradually.
• Consult a healthcare professional to validate your protocol.

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Academic Sources

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-024-05567-3
• https://thetimes.co.uk/article/bicarbonate-supplement-used-by-olympians-2024

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