The bicarb journal

Performance
Science.

Evidence-based articles on sodium bicarbonate, blood pH, hydrogel buffering, and what the research actually says.

⚡ Essential reading
The complete guide to sodium bicarbonate for athletes

Everything you need to know about bicarb supplementation — the mechanism, the dosing, the timing, the GI problem, and how hydrogel solves it. Start here.

Paul Wang · April 1, 2026 · 12 min read
🔬 Deep dive
Hydrogel bicarb vs raw baking soda: what's the difference?

Why does encapsulating bicarb in a hydrogel matter? The GI problem explained — and how xanthan gum changes everything.

Paul Wang · April 5, 2026 · 7 min read
🚴 Cycling
Sodium bicarbonate for cyclists: the complete protocol

From FTP tests to criteriums — how to use bicarb to boost cycling power output and delay the burn during hard intervals.

Paul Wang · April 8, 2026 · 8 min read
🏃 Running
Bicarb for the 800m, 1500m and mile: what the research says

Middle-distance runners stand to gain the most from bicarb. Here's the evidence, the dose, and how to time it around race day.

Paul Wang · April 10, 2026 · 7 min read
🩺 Troubleshooting
Why bicarb causes stomach problems — and how to fix it

GI distress is the #1 reason athletes stop using bicarb. Here's exactly why it happens and three strategies that actually work.

Paul Wang · April 12, 2026 · 6 min read
⚖️ Comparison
Bicarb vs beta-alanine: which buffer is right for you?

Both buffer acid — but differently, on different timescales, for different sports. Here's when to use each, and whether stacking them makes sense.

Paul Wang · April 14, 2026 · 8 min read
🏭 Industry
How Maurten bicarb works — and why BICARB.NET costs $12.50 less

Same hydrogel encapsulation mechanism. Same dosing. Same science. A breakdown of Maurten's Bicarb System 19 formula and where the price gap comes from.

Paul Wang · April 15, 2026 · 6 min read
🔩 Manufacturing
Why most bicarb products use pellets — and why ours doesn't

Enteric coating, fluid bed coaters, and why a xanthan gum hydrogel achieves the same GI protection without $150,000 of equipment.

Paul Wang · April 15, 2026 · 8 min read