I dont know why the recipe used baking soda
maybe because its easier to measure in smaller mg ?
I play with the recipe though. I used it as a starting point.
I stick with coconut water and sea salt mainly.
Its been a while but if I remember right, the recipe was originally posted as a natural alternative to rehydrate. Not an energy drink. Just more of a way to stay hydrated when one is sick.
I did the second long post when someone asked about using it while excersising.