Sodium citrate ingestion protocol impacts induced alkalosis, gastrointestinal symptoms, and palatability

• Published in: Physiological reports Vol. 7; no. 19; pp. e14216 - n/a
• Main Authors: Urwin, Charles S., Snow, Rodney J., Orellana, Liliana, Condo, Dominique, Wadley, Glenn D., Carr, Amelia J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.10.2019; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Alkalosis; Body mass; Buffering agents; Carbohydrates; Case Report; Case Reports; Citric acid; dietary supplementation; Digestive Absorption and Secretion; Digestive Conditions, Disorders and Treatments; ergogenic aid; Exercise; Fluids; Food; ingestion mode; Laboratories; Palatability; pH effects; Physiology; Sodium; Sodium citrate; Sports drinks; Buffering agents; ergogenic aid; ingestion mode; dietary supplementation
• ISSN: 2051-817X
• DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14216

To compare the effect of 500 mg·kg−1 body mass (BM) sodium citrate ingested in solution or capsules on induced alkalosis, gastrointestinal symptoms and palatability. Twenty‐four healthy and active participants completed two testing sessions, ingesting 500 mg·kg−1 BM sodium citrate within solution or capsules. Capillary blood samples were collected pre‐ingestion, and every 30‐min for 240‐min post‐ingestion; samples were analyzed for blood pH and [HCO3−]. A validated questionnaire was used to quantify gastrointestinal symptoms at the same 30‐min intervals. Palatability was quantified immediately after ingestion using a validated scale. There was a greater peak and change from baseline for capsules versus solution for blood pH (P < 0.001) and [HCO3−] (P = 0.013). Blood pH and [HCO3−] time to peak was 199 and 204 min, respectively, after capsule ingestion, both significantly later than after solution (P = 0.034, P = 0.001). Gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly elevated above baseline for both ingestion modes at each time point between 30 and 120 min after ingestion (P = 0.003), with no differences between modes at any time point (P = 0.644). Capsules were significantly more palatable than solution (P < 0.001). We recommend 500 mg·kg−1 BM sodium citrate ingestion in capsules, at least 200 min before exercise, to achieve greater alkalosis, minimize gastrointestinal symptoms, and maximize. Ingestion of sodium citrate at the currently recommended dose (500 mg·kg−1 BM) induced a significantly greater level of alkalosis when administered in capsules rather than solution. Further, ingestion of the supplement in capsules was reported to be more palatable than the solution. The capsules should be ingested at least 3 h before commencing exercise to ensure peak physiological readiness and to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort while exercising.