Improvement after a supplement is not the same as a comparative result
Start with the comparison. A before-and-after change alone cannot isolate the contribution of an ingredient.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Selected research topic
Exercise performance
Findings differ across measurements or study conditions. The results below keep them separate.
Findings from a combination study cannot be attributed to this ingredient alone.
Some findings concern patients or people with a deficiency.
- Publications for this topic
- 20
- Human comparison publications
- 7
- Publications needing review
- 8
Findings in the studies
2,000-m rowing performance
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
- A better result than the comparison group was reported.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
General population · Combination studyMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · General population
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Sodium bicarbonate versus maltodextrin across chronic beta-alanine/placebo conditions; small possibl
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- At 28 and 30 days of chronic supplementation with acute post-supplementation tests
exercise tolerance
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
- A better result than the comparison group was reported.
What the comparison group used was not confirmed.
Single ingredientMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups.
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
number of completed throws
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
- Results were mixed for this outcome.General population · Single ingredient · after 10 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · General population
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Randomized sodium bicarbonate versus placebo trial; reported endpoint results include within-arm cha
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- after 10 days
RAST total time
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
- No clear difference from the comparison group was found.General population · Single ingredient · 90 minutes before RAST
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · General population
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: acute sodium bicarbonate versus sodium chloride placebo in crossover trial
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- 90 minutes before RAST
Other measured outcomes (8)
rowing performance
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
- A better result than the comparison group was reported.
What the comparison group used was not confirmed.
Single ingredientMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups.
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
SPPB
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
- No clear difference from the comparison group was found.Patient group · Single ingredient · 12 months.
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Adjusted between-group oral sodium bicarbonate versus placebo comparison, analyzed by intention to t
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- 12 months.
Time-to-exhaustion
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
- No clear difference from the comparison group was found.
What the comparison group used was not confirmed.
Single ingredientMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups.
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
Maximal voluntary isometric contraction
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A result was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.General population · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · General population
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Study comparison: sodium bicarbonate versus equimolar sodium chloride placebo
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- single dose before match simulation
Mean Power
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A result was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
performance decrements in WAnT bouts
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.General population · Separable contribution
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · General population
- Ingredients tested
- Separable contribution
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: sodium bicarbonate + CHO vs placebo + CHO in crossover trial
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- 90 minutes post-ingestion, six WAnT bouts
post-exercise blood ammonia concentration
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
General population · Combination study · 8 weeksMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · General population
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: within-arm pre/post decrease in both combination arms; no between-arm contrast for this endpoint
- Additional measurement information
- Biomarker
- Measurement time
- 8 weeks
Squat Jump Performance
Publications linked to this measurement: 1
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A result was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
This result is held for interpretation. That does not mean research found no effect.
Outcome groups needing additional review (2)
- exercise effect size · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
- performance in muscular endurance activities · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
One paper can appear under multiple measured outcomes or review reasons, so these counts should not be added together.
Representative outcome and study details
Human studies reported between-group improvement in 2,000-m rowing performance.
combination-ingredient studies · Individual ingredient effects cannot be separated · Human studies · between-group comparison
1 publications linked to this result
- Route, form, dose, or population details are incomplete, so the findings cannot be confirmed as directly comparable.
- Combination, formula, or class studies do not isolate this ingredient or establish synergy.
Data coverage and detailed study classifications
Paper counts are separated by research topic below. One paper may contribute to multiple findings.
Analysis status: Public-ready
Ingredient analysis date:
How the grade was determined: B
The 61.5 evidence score includes 2 independent human studies and 2 clinical studies in the representative benefit area. The B tier remains conservative because of limited repetition across independent human clinical studies, too few clinical findings with an explicit effect direction.
The grade is based mainly on the research area with the most evidence. It does not mean the same result was found in other areas.
Papers linked to this ingredient overall: 62
Papers linked to this topic 20 · distinct papers 20 · papers with a confirmed human comparison 7 · papers needing additional review 8
A publication may appear in more than one count. These numbers should not be added. Ingredient-wide papers, topic-linked papers, and sources in outcome groups use different scopes. Adding source counts may count the same paper more than once.
- 2,000-m rowing performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- exercise effect size: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- exercise tolerance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- Maximal voluntary isometric contraction: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- Mean Power: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- number of completed throws: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- performance decrements in WAnT bouts: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- performance in muscular endurance activities: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- post-exercise blood ammonia concentration: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- RAST total time: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- rowing performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- SPPB: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- Squat Jump Performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- Time-to-exhaustion: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
What the research found
number of completed throws
Results for this measurement were mixed; no consistent conclusion can be drawn.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
performance decrements in WAnT bouts
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Separable contribution · General population
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
RAST total time
No clear difference in this measurement was found between the compared groups.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
SPPB
No clear difference in this measurement was found between the compared groups.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Time-to-exhaustion
No clear difference in this measurement was found between the compared groups.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
2,000-m rowing performance
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
exercise tolerance
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
post-exercise blood ammonia concentration
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
rowing performance
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Maximal voluntary isometric contraction
A result was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Mean Power
A result was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Squat Jump Performance
A result was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
exercise effect size
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
performance in muscular endurance activities
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
3 papers · 3 measured outcomes
3 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
3 papers · 3 measured outcomes
3 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
How to read research findings
How should I read research findings?
Research guidesNo clear difference and an uninterpretable result are different
A reported null comparison contains a result. An abstract without an interpretable comparison leaves a question unresolved.
Paper counts and study counts are different
Count original research separately from research that reanalyzes it. Publication volume is neither replication nor a quality rating.
Side effects and combination findings
Findings from this ingredient alone are shown separately from those involving another supplement or medication.
No reviewed caution rules are available yet. Reported caution findings are shown below.
Review 1 combination findings and 0 findings that outperformed an ingredient alone.
Findings to review with care
Side effects reported for the ingredient alone are separated from findings involving another supplement or medication.
Side effects reported with this ingredient alone
Symptoms or adverse events reported in studies without another active ingredient.
Metabolic alkalosis1 papers
Sodium bicarbonate ingestion can cause life‑threatening metabolic alkalosis, hypernatremia, and gastric rupture, with high mortality in acute massive ingestion.Human studies · Systematic reviewRepeated sprint ability1 papers
In a small RCT of 8 men, sodium bicarbonate ingestion 0.3 g/kg at 60–180 min before exercise did not improve repeated sprint performance but increased gastrointestinal discomfort at earlier time points.Human studies · Randomized controlled trialReported improvements with combinations
Combination findings are grouped by how the study compared them. This is not a recommendation to combine ingredients.
Combinations with reported improvement
The combination showed improvement, but each ingredient's contribution is unclear.
크레아틴Combined creatine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation significantly improved 30-m sprint and arrowhead agility performance in elite soccer players compared to placebo.