Alkaline water improves exercise-induced metabolic acidosis and enhances anaerobic exercise performance in combat sport athletes

Abstract

Hydration is one of the most significant issues for combat sports as athletes often use water restriction for quick weight loss before competition. It appears that alkaline water can be an effective alternative to sodium bicarbonate in preventing the effects of exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to investigate, in a double blind, placebo controlled randomized study, the impact of mineral-based highly alkaline water on acid-base balance, hydration status, and anaerobic capacity. Sixteen well trained combat sport athletes (n = 16), were randomly divided into two groups; the experimental group (EG; n = 8), which ingested highly alkaline water for three weeks, and the control group (CG; n = 8), which received regular table water. Anaerobic performance was evaluated by two double 30 s Wingate tests for lower and upper limbs, respectively, with a passive rest interval of 3 minutes between the bouts of exercise. Fingertip capillary blood samples for the assessment of lactate concentration were drawn at rest and during the 3rd min of recovery. In addition, acid-base equilibrium and electrolyte status were evaluated. Urine samples were evaluated for specific gravity and pH. The results indicate that drinking alkalized water enhances hydration, improves acid-base balance and anaerobic exercise performance.

Outcomes Assessment of Sustainable and Innovatively Simple Lifestyle Modification at the Workplace-Drinking Electrolyzed-Reduced Water (OASIS-ERW): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Meanwhile, natural reduced water found in various natural environments, such as deep underground reservoirs and springs, and known to scavenge ROS [ 12 ], has been reported to inhibit alloxan-induced β-cell apoptosis [ 32 ], lower glucose levels in alloxan-induced mice [ 32 ], suppress anxiety in rats [ 33 ], and increase the activity of natural killer cells in healthy volunteers [ 34 ]. Moreover, drinking alkaline MW was shown to lower the bone resorption marker in adults with sufficient calcium [ 35 ] and to significantly decrease the concentration of lactic acid at rest in patients in a clinical trial [ 36 ]. In an open-label pilot study, consumption of hydrogen-rich water supplemented with a mineral stick improved indices related to oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome [ 37 ].…”

Different Waters for Different Performances: Can We Imagine Sport-Related Natural Mineral Spring Waters?

“…Recent evidence also focused on bicarbonate/calcic or, more generally, alkaline waters showing-as expected-a better acid-base balance control, efficiently counteracting exercise-related acidosis [18,19]. Brancaccio et al (2012) [77] correlated the hydration status to the urine specific gravity.…”

“…The same effects of alkaline waters were found also by Chycki at al. (2018 and 2017) [18,19] who also reported a more efficient lactate utilization after anaerobic performance. In Chycki et al (2017) [19], the aim of the study was to compare the effects of drinking different types of water (high-, low-mineralized waters, and − mg/L 3.62 ± 0.12; Cl − mg/L 0.41 ± 0.03; SO 4 2− mg/L 1.60 ± 0.09; Na + mg/L 1.21 ± 0.05; K + mg/L 0.30 ± 0.03; Ca 2+ mg/L 1.21 ± 0.05; Mg 2+ mg/L 0.40 ± 0.04.…”

“…For example, it was shown that after a prolonged aerobic exercise, the rehydration of athletes with a natural and moderately mineralized water was more effective in inducing recovery and leg power compared to plain water [17]. As shown by Chycki et al (2018) [18], a mineral alkaline water enhances the hydration status of combat sport athletes compared to commercial table water. The same authors [19] also proved that alkaline, low mineralized waters had a positive impact on hydration status in response to high-intensity interval exercise.…”

Pharmacological Activity Investigation of Alkaline Water – A Review

“…Jakub Chycki et al (2018) 13 worked on problem faced by sports men due to water restriction for quick weight loss before tournaments they proven the effect of alkaline water as prevention for exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. Researcher performed the double randomized clinical trials on sixteen well trained sports athletes by keeping control with normal tap water for three weeks.…”