Influence of Dietary Acid Load on Exercise Performance
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
|January 5, 2017
Summary
Lowering dietary acid load may improve athletic performance by increasing plasma pH, but evidence is inconsistent. Athletes should consider alkaline diets for overall health benefits beyond exercise performance.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Exercise Physiology
- Acid-Base Physiology
Background:
- Diet composition influences systemic pH and acid-base balance, impacting exercise performance.
- Muscle acidity contributes to fatigue and impaired performance during intense exercise.
- Current sports nutrition trends focus on enhancing body alkalinity through diet and ergogenic aids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific evidence on the effects of dietary acid load manipulations on exercise performance.
- To analyze studies investigating the relationship between dietary acid load and athletic performance metrics.
- To identify limitations in current research and provide dietary recommendations for athletes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of ten studies comparing high versus low dietary acid loads.
- Analysis of studies examining effects on plasma pH and exercise performance at various intensities.
- Evaluation of study limitations, including subject demographics and exercise testing protocols.
Main Results:
- Low dietary acid loads consistently increased plasma pH.
- A consistent improvement in maximal or submaximal exercise performance was not observed.
- Limitations include a lack of female subjects and sport-specific exercise tests.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not strongly support a performance benefit from low dietary acid loads in athletes.
- Alkaline dietary patterns may offer broader health advantages, potentially reducing risks of cardiovascular and bone diseases.
- Athletes can reduce dietary acid load while adhering to general sports nutrition guidelines.
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