Alkaline Water Boosts Athletic Performance in Combat Sports Athletes

TL;DR

Drinking alkaline water helps combat sport athletes stay better hydrated, maintain a healthier balance of acids and bases in their body, and perform better in short bursts of high-intensity exercise.

Key Finding

Combat sport athletes who consumed mineral-based alkaline water for three weeks showed improved hydration status, better acid-base balance, and increased anaerobic exercise performance compared to those drinking regular water.

Summary

This study tested whether alkaline water (water with a higher pH level) could help combat sport athletes perform better during intense exercise. Sixteen trained athletes drank either alkaline water or regular water for three weeks, then performed high-intensity exercise tests. The researchers measured blood acid levels, hydration status, and exercise performance. Athletes who drank alkaline water showed better hydration, more balanced blood acid levels, and improved performance on the anaerobic exercise tests (short bursts of intense effort).

Practical Takeaway

This small study (16 athletes) suggests alkaline water may help with exercise performance and recovery in combat sports, but the findings are preliminary. The study did not specifically measure hydrogen content, so it's unclear whether the benefits came from alkalinity, mineral content, or hydrogen itself. Larger studies would be needed to confirm these results and determine if alkaline water offers advantages over other hydration strategies.

Abstract (excerpt)

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…

Read the full abstract via DOI