I have taken the challenge of soda loading, however I only dilute 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 500ml, which is about .2g/ kg of my body weight. I have found that it does actually make a difference and I don't even take that much of it! Going through a 2 hour swim practice after drinkin this solution definetly made a change, not a big amount but the change was still evident. I never felt bloating or cramping, I think that if it is diluted with enough water it actually reduces the consequences.
I experienced significant improvement in my tempo runs when I'm trying to finish without crapping my pants.
1) I did it in high school, placed a bunch of baking soda in gel capsules purchased from the drug store. My thoughts--it did not work at the highest levels I could handle.
2) If you're studying for a nutrition final and ask a question like you did, I think you're going to fail the national exam at the end of your time in University.
1) pH is a logarithm of a reciprocal of H+ concentration in a solution. Higher pH, means less H+, so less, not more, acidity.
2) A number of studies have shown marginal benefits in mid-distance events and HIIT in a variety of sports. You probably just read a citation of one of these. You are also probably trolling, already knew this, and are just bored from studying so you are wasting time on LR. That's OK. I am too.
3) From personal experience, I can do a hard aerobic workout in the AM,have a teaspoon of Arm & Hammer, and feel recovered enough for another hard weight or sprint session in the PM. Probably just placebo.
4) Why soda? Yes, it does usually have bicarbonate added, but that is to negate it acidic nature in the first place. Carbonation of water results in a buildup of carbonic acid.
5) Per point 4), flat soda may be best because of lower pH, available simple CHO in a HFCS mixture that oxidizes in stages of more quickly (fructose) and more slowly (glucose) , and caffeine, which has obvious ergogenic effects.
Many marathoners swore by flat Coca-Cola in the 60s and earlier.