Schmidt, W., Schihab, T., & Prommer, N. (2003). Base-enriched nutrition improves anaerobic performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 560.

This study evaluated whether an acid- or a base-enriched nutrition has influences on the acid-base-status of the blood and maximum exercise performance. Recreational athletes (N = 10) followed two different 3-day diets: High protein acid-enriched, and low protein base-enriched. Carbohydrate did not differ between the diets. A series of interval exercises (1 min of exercise; 1 minute of recovery) at 125% VO2max were performed to exhaustion before and after the diets.

Potassium balance increased significantly in the base-diet. Under resting conditions, pH did not change for either diet. HCO3, pCO2, and base excess differed significantly only on day 3. Mean urine pH decreased in the acid diet and increased in the base diet. The last bout of exercise in the interval test was maintained longer and at the end of and three minutes after exercise lactate was higher in the base-diet condition. Despite elevated lactate, pH, pCO2, HCO3, and base excess were similar at the end of and after the exercise tests.

Implication. A base- or acid-enriched diet induces a compensated metabolic alkalosis or acidosis. Base-enriched diets improve performance.

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