5. Conclusions
In conclusion, the results of the present investigation indicate that seven days of consuming mineral water with increased amounts bicarbonate at a dose of 10 mL/kg (delivering approximately 3 g of bicarbonate per day) exerts limited to no potential to augment exercise performance, lactate, pH, and other blood gas parameters in recreationally active men and women. Future research on liquid formulations should explore higher doses of bicarbonate (if palatable) or more aggressive hydration regimens to better understand its impact on anaerobic performance and the potential hydration benefits of bicarbonate-rich mineral water; alternatively, an additional recommendation would be to employ a more individualized supplementation approach, as reported by Gough et al. [