Question: what are the potential side effects of ingesting sodium bicarbonate as an ergogenic aid?
Answer: Safety and Side Effects Larger doses may severely increase blood pH. This is dangerous and can disturb your heart rhythm and cause muscle spasms ( 39 , 40 ). In addition, when sodium bicarbonate mixes with stomach acid, it produces gas. This may cause abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting ( 1 , 41 ).