What benefit does beta-alanine offer to athletes?

Beta-alanine is a popular supplement among athletes primarily because it serves as a precursor to carnosine, a dipeptide that plays a critical role in buffering acid in muscle tissues. During high-intensity exercise, lactic acid accumulates, leading to a decline in pH levels within the muscles. This drop in pH is associated with increased fatigue and decreased performance. By increasing carnosine levels through the supplementation of beta-alanine, athletes can effectively enhance their muscle's ability to buffer hydrogen ions, which helps to delay the onset of fatigue during strenuous activities.

This buffering effect allows athletes to maintain a higher intensity of exercise for a more extended period, thus improving overall performance in sports that require sustained effort and endurance. The other options, while relevant to different aspects of physical performance or health, do not specifically relate to the primary action of beta-alanine. Therefore, the ability of beta-alanine to buffer acid in muscles and delay fatigue is the key reason it is valued by athletes.