What athletes do.
What science can say.

It combines rapidly available sugar, a modest caffeine dose, familiar taste and widespread availability. Preference and familiarity can matter when eating has become difficult.

Test the exact drink, carbonation level and caffeine total in training. Concentrated sugar, bubbles and accumulated caffeine can aggravate gastrointestinal symptoms or sleep.

The proposed effect is oral sensing and central nervous-system signaling rather than meaningful fuel delivery.

Treat it as a narrow event tactic. If exercise is long enough to need fuel, spitting out the carbohydrate leaves that need unmet.

The field problem is often gastrointestinal distress rather than whether bicarbonate can change extracellular buffering.

Run several tolerance trials away from competition. Account for the substantial sodium load and avoid self-testing if a sodium restriction or relevant medical condition applies.

A lower-osmolality drink and easier palatability may improve adherence when a session genuinely benefits from carbohydrate.

First ask whether the session needs intra-workout carbohydrate. Then compare equal grams, drink concentration, tolerance and cost in training.

The goal is to lower heat storage before exercise and make the thermal sensation more tolerable.

Test tolerance and avoid creating stomach discomfort immediately before hard exercise. Combine only within a complete heat plan.

Menthol activates cold-sensitive receptors and may change thermal perception or willingness to sustain effort.

Never use the sensory effect to ignore heat symptoms. Concentration, ingestion safety and event conditions require a practiced protocol.