Coaches Corner

Sodium Bicarbonate Boosts Health & Performance By Dr. Rick Cohen, M.D. — updated with trial evidence and terrain insights Why the hype is justified when the field is respected Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) has moved from kitchen jar to performance lab because it raises extracellular bicarbonate, buffers hydrogen ions, and delays pH collapse in working muscle. A clear, peer-reviewed summary of the mechanism and outcomes is available in the International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand, which also provides practical dosing guardrails (Grgic et al., 2021, JISSN). At the level of evidence synthesis, an umbrella review of meta-analyses found that bicarbonate acutely...

Tired of High Blood Pressure? Why One MD Says to Skip the Produce Aisle If you’re one of the millions of Americans concerned about blood pressure readings above the healthy 120/80 mark, you may have been told to overhaul your diet and lifestyle. But what if a simpler, more direct method existed? According to Dr. Rick Cohen, a top MD from Duke University, the conventional wisdom about eating fruits and vegetables might be missing the point when it comes to prime heart health. His guidance shifts the focus to a powerful, often overlooked source of nutrients: the seed. "If your blood...

Ask Dr. Cohen Is Red Wine Good for Long Life & Health? Updated September 24, 2025 • PureClean Performance The Question You’ve probably heard that red wine can be healthy, but is it really good for longevity and performance—or just hype? Most articles talk about generic antioxidants, but the deeper story comes down to gut health, polyphenols, and the way your body responds to small hormetic stressors. The Problem Alcohol itself is not a health food. Too much can damage your gut, your liver, and your metabolism. And not all wines are created equal—most supermarket bottles are high in sulfites,...

Shopper’s Guide Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen: The EWG’s 2024 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ Updated September 24, 2025 • PureClean Performance Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzes the most recent USDA data to compile its Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists. These list the types of fruits and vegetables that tend to be grown with the most and least pesticides, based on the latest available numbers. The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list we have you for in today's article helps guide you toward the produce you should prioritize buying organic from a health perspective and...