Bicarbonate of soda is good for athletes

Old-fashioned cure-all bicarbonate soda can enhance performance, say scientists who claim to have proven what athletes - and their grannies have claimed for years.
Sports professionals say "soda-doping" can have a significant effect on endurance and speed.
A UK study found eight of nine swimmers who took the traditional cleaning agent baking soda cut 1.5 seconds from their 200m time.
Study leader Jonathan Folloland said: :Essentially, sodium bicarbonate is an alkali substance that increases the pH of the blood.
"This seems to reduce and offset the acidity produced in the muscles during intense, anaerobic exercise that produces lactic acid most quickly, such as fast running or swimming."
Often taken for indigestion, sodium bicarbonate reduces acids, helping the body to deal with the acidic waste produced in exercise, that tires us.
But only the most proficient athletes would notice a difference. Given that it shaved seconds, not minutes, off performance time, it was hardly significant for those who take a leisurely few laps up and down the pool.
An American College of Sports Medicine study found that runners could also improve performance with baking soda.
But the substance - used before modern times as a household cleaning agent - can cause upset stomachs, and tastes foul.
It is not dangerous, but it tastes appalling. Only those who were very serious about sport should try the white powder, which may cause diarrhea.