Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In February 2025, a number of running world records were absolutely demolished by athletes who claimed they gained an edge through a common kitchen ingredient: baking soda. It sounds like pseudoscience, but incredibly, this trick might actually work… or make you violently ill. So of course, Alex had to try it.
If you're thinking about trying this, consult to your doctor first.
Check out In the Margins: youtu.be/-QnKnTbFfjY?feature=shared
#sodiumbicarbonate #endurance #bakingsoda
Producers:
Andrew Sobey
Elaine Seward
Darren Weaver
Writer:
Alex Dainis, Ph.D.
Hosts:
Alex Dainis, Ph.D.
Executive Producer:
Matthew Radcliff
Scientific Consultants:
Bryan Saunders, Ph.D.
Brianne Raccor, Ph.D.
Michelle Boucher, Ph.D.
Executive in Charge for PBS: Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming for PBS: Gabrielle Ewing
Assistant Director of Programming for PBS: John Campbell
Reactions is a production of the American Chemical Society.
© 2025 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.
Sources:
jci.org/articles/view/100324/pdf
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3824146
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4670772
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27409551
journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00015.2007#:~:text=Anaerobic%20glycolysis%20is%20of%20central,with%20rapid%2Donset%20muscle%20fatigue
journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0114729
journals.lww.com/acsm-essr/fulltext/2015/04000/skeletal_muscle_fatigue_and_decreased_efficiency_.3.aspx
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-018-3823-1
pfizer.com/news/articles/science_fact_or_science_fiction_lactic_acid_buildup_causes_muscle_fatigue_and_soreness#:~:text=Lactic%20acid%20is%20a%20byproduct,acid%20following%20an%20intense%20workout
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19208932/#:~:text=Abstract,still%20elevated%20above%20preingestion%20levels
maurten.com/products/us/bicarb?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPprP9u5Ofb4VzdAwGfnoeGwIEfp6aIGc3V-q0P1Z69N4Wg6681sES-xoCDRQQAvD_BwE
nbcnews.com/sports/track-field/household-item-turning-runners-world-record-holders-rcna194810
sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002962915360638
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-021-01575-x link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12970-021-00469-7
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-020-01275-y
In February 2025, a number of running world records were absolutely demolished by athletes who claimed they gained an edge through a common kitchen ingredient: baking soda. It sounds like pseudoscience, but incredibly, this trick might actually work… or make you violently ill. So of course, Alex had to try it.
If you're thinking about trying this, consult to your doctor first.
Check out In the Margins: youtu.be/-QnKnTbFfjY?feature=shared
#sodiumbicarbonate #endurance #bakingsoda
Producers:
Andrew Sobey
Elaine Seward
Darren Weaver
Writer:
Alex Dainis, Ph.D.
Hosts:
Alex Dainis, Ph.D.
Executive Producer:
Matthew Radcliff
Scientific Consultants:
Bryan Saunders, Ph.D.
Brianne Raccor, Ph.D.
Michelle Boucher, Ph.D.
Executive in Charge for PBS: Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming for PBS: Gabrielle Ewing
Assistant Director of Programming for PBS: John Campbell
Reactions is a production of the American Chemical Society.
© 2025 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.
Sources:
jci.org/articles/view/100324/pdf
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3824146
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4670772
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27409551
journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00015.2007#:~:text=Anaerobic%20glycolysis%20is%20of%20central,with%20rapid%2Donset%20muscle%20fatigue
journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0114729
journals.lww.com/acsm-essr/fulltext/2015/04000/skeletal_muscle_fatigue_and_decreased_efficiency_.3.aspx
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-018-3823-1
pfizer.com/news/articles/science_fact_or_science_fiction_lactic_acid_buildup_causes_muscle_fatigue_and_soreness#:~:text=Lactic%20acid%20is%20a%20byproduct,acid%20following%20an%20intense%20workout
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19208932/#:~:text=Abstract,still%20elevated%20above%20preingestion%20levels
maurten.com/products/us/bicarb?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPprP9u5Ofb4VzdAwGfnoeGwIEfp6aIGc3V-q0P1Z69N4Wg6681sES-xoCDRQQAvD_BwE
nbcnews.com/sports/track-field/household-item-turning-runners-world-record-holders-rcna194810
sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002962915360638
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-021-01575-x link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12970-021-00469-7
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-020-01275-y
