The Effects of Bathing in Neutral Bicarbonate Ion Water

Abstract

Percutaneously absorbed carbon dioxide enhances blood flow. The mechanism by which it does so is unclear, we hypothesized that it involves bicarbonate ions. Balb/c mice were bathed in neutral bicarbonate ionized water (NBIW) and showed increased blood bicarbonate levels and blood flow via phosphorylation of peripheral vascular endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and production of nitric oxide (NO). Phosphorylation of eNOS and NO production were also increased in human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in medium containing NBIW, and NBIW showed reactive oxygen species scavenging activity. In a double-blind, randomized study in men and women aged 30 to 59 years with subjective cold intolerance, bathing in NBIW elevated body temperature faster than bathing in a control solution and improved chills and sleep quality. Taken together, our results show that percutaneously absorbed bicarbonate ions act directly on endothelial cells, phosphorylation of eNOS increases NO production and thus improves blood flow.