At the warm-up track for the recent European Athletics Championships in Rome, athletes were seen consuming a new supplement called the ‘Bicarb System’. This supplement, designed by the Swedish company Maurten, contains sodium bicarbonate, which is believed to help flush out hydrogen ions and lactate during intense exercise, improving performance.
The ‘Bicarb System’ is designed to bypass the gut and deliver sodium bicarbonate in a controlled manner. This innovation was developed in collaboration with experts like British sports physiologist Dr. Andy Sparks. Research has shown that athletes using this supplement have experienced performance gains, with many achieving personal bests and national records.
The product, priced at £15 per serving, has gained popularity among elite athletes in various sports. Maurten has partnerships with Team Visma in cycling and the On and NN Running teams in athletics. Athletes like Keely Hodgkinson and Faith Kipyegon have openly endorsed the supplement, citing its benefits in improving performance without causing gastrointestinal issues.
According to Trevor Painter, Hodgkinson’s coach, using the ‘Bicarb System’ is not just an advantage but a necessity in competitive sports. Painter believes that athletes who do not use the supplement are at a disadvantage compared to their peers. This sentiment is echoed by Jenny Meadows, a former world and European championship medallist, who emphasizes the widespread adoption of the supplement among athletes.
Despite the positive feedback from athletes, some concerns have been raised about the fairness and ethics of using performance-enhancing supplements like the ‘Bicarb System’. Maurten’s head of communications, Herman Reuterswärd, acknowledges the ongoing debate surrounding the use of such aids in sports. However, he believes that products like the ‘Bicarb System’ can level the playing field by allowing more athletes to access its benefits.
Overall, the ‘Bicarb System’ has emerged as a game-changing supplement in elite sports, with athletes across different disciplines experiencing improved performance and recovery. As more research is conducted and athletes continue to advocate for its use, the supplement is poised to become a staple in the training and competition routines of many top athletes around the world.