MAURTEN BICARB
| HEALF | £59.95 | GET 10% OFF |
| MAURTEN | £59.95 | BUY NOW |
The Maurten Bicarb system has quickly become a talking point among runners seeking marginal gains in performance, especially over high intensity distances.
Designed to help you push your limits, this system promises to deliver the benefits of sodium bicarbonate without the stomach issues that have plagued its use in the past.
WHO IS MAURTEN?
Maurten is a Swedish sports nutrition brand renowned for its innovative hydrogel technology, which has revolutionised energy gels and drink mixes.
Their products are widely used by elite athletes, including marathoners and triathletes, who rely on Maurten’s solutions for both training and race day.
WHAT IS MAURTEN BICARB?
Maurten Bicarb is an advanced sports fuel system that uses hydrogel technology to encapsulate sodium bicarbonate, aiming to buffer lactic acid build up during high intensity exercise.
This encapsulation is designed to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort, making bicarbonate supplementation more tolerable and effective for athletes.
THE 3 COMPONENTS
COMPONENT A: THE BOWL
Specially designed for precise and easy mixing, the bowl includes clear instructions and a screw top lid for travel and storage.
COMPONENT B: HYDROGEL
This hydrogel encapsulates the sodium bicarbonate, protecting it from stomach acid and enabling easier swallowing. Each serving also contains 40g of carbohydrates to fuel your session.
COMPONENT C: BICARBONATE
Mini tablets allow for controlled, slow release of bicarbonate in the intestine, helping to reduce stomach issues and prolong the buffering effect.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE IT?
Maurten Bicarb is primarily targeted at runners and athletes competing in high intensity events where lactic acid build up is a limiting factor.
This includes distances from 800 metres up to 5km. It is especially useful for events where sustained, intense effort is required and marginal gains can make a significant difference.
CAN YOU USE IT FOR THE MARATHON DISTANCE?
Maurten Bicarb is unlikely to provide a meaningful benefit for half marathon and marathon performance, and its use is best reserved for shorter, high-intensity events.
For half marathons and marathoners, the cost, potential side effects, and lack of proven efficacy make it a personal choice.
Personally I have been using it for my half marathons with great success. Whether this is a placebo effect I do not know.
Worse case, the 40g of carbohydrates in the hydrogel helps fuel your run marathon, best case it is not going to harm you and it might buffer any lactic acid during the race if you went off to fast or experience a surge in pace.
SERVING SIZES
The system is available in five serving sizes, tailored to body weight and prior experience with bicarbonate:
- 12g
- 15g
- 19g
- 22g
- 25g
Heavier athletes or those with more experience using bicarbonate typically require higher doses, but it’s crucial to train your gut before opting for larger servings.
MAURTEN DIGITAL SYSTEM
Each Maurten Bicarb box includes a QR code granting access to the Bicarb Digital System.
This online tool, developed by Maurten’s nutrition scientists, helps you plan, prepare, and execute your bicarb protocol, acting as a virtual nutritionist to optimise your usage based on your personal data and race schedule.
MAURTEN BICARB INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1
Open component A the mixing bowl and add 200ml of water. I use cold filtered or bottled water.
STEP 2
Add component B the hydrogen gel powder to the bowl. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Leave to stand for a few minutes.
STEP 3
Add component C, the bicarbonate mini tablets and stir gently as directed to ensure even distribution.
STEP 4
Eat the contents immediately but do not chew.
TIMING: WHEN TO TAKE IT
The optimal window for taking Maurten Bicarb is:
- 1 to 2 hours after a meal (such as breakfast) and 1.5 to 2 hours before your high intensity training or race
This timing helps maximise absorption and effectiveness while minimising stomach discomfort.
INGREDIENTS
The Maurten Bicarb System is formulated with a focus on performance and gut tolerability, using a concise list of ingredients.
The primary ingredients are:
- Maltodextrin
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Fructose
- Modified starch
- Bulking agents: Hydroxypropyl cellulose, Magnesium stearate, Silicon dioxide
- Flavour Thickener: Xanthan gum
There are no added colours or preservatives in the formulation, aligning with Maurten's approach of using only essential ingredients.
WHAT DOES IT TASTE OF?
Maurten says there is little to no distinct taste or flavour. It is described as having a neutral taste with a slight sweetness due to its carbohydrate content, but no added flavours like chocolate or fruit.
The texture is a clear, slightly sweet goopy gel with tiny tablets.
Overall, the taste is subtle and to me has hint of strawberry flavouring, but the texture is not that different to Maurten gels.
SIDE EFFECTS
While Maurten’s hydrogel technology significantly reduces the risk of gastrointestinal issues, some users may still experience bloating, gas, or mild stomach discomfort especially if their gut is not accustomed to bicarbonate.
It is recommended not to exceed 2–3 servings per week and to avoid additional sodium supplements on the same day.
Whilst Maurten does have a calculator on its website to help you workout what serving is best for you, I started with the 13g serving and worked my way up to get my stomach use to it.
COST
The cost for a box containing 4 servings is around £59.95, which equates to approximately £15 per serving.
Some retailers may offer bundles or discounts on subscriptions, but the standard price for the product itself remains in this range.
This price reflects the advanced hydrogel technology and the targeted performance benefits, making it one of the more expensive options in the sports supplement market.
WHERE TO BUY
There are number of places to buy Maurten Bicarb, including direct from Maurten.
The cheapest place to buy it is from Healf using our 10% discount link.
| HEALF | £59.95 | GET 10% OFF |
| MAURTEN | £59.95 | BUY NOW |
CONCLUSION
Maurten Bicarb offers a genuinely innovative approach to bicarbonate supplementation for runners, making it more accessible and tolerable than ever before.
With customisable dosing, a digital planning tool, and a focus on gut comfort, it’s a strong option for athletes chasing marginal gains in high-intensity events.
However, as with any supplement, it’s wise to trial it in training before race day and to be mindful of individual tolerance.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions you would like to ask about the Maurten Bicarb System, please get in touch.
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