Good Foods That Help With Lactic Acid Buildup in the Legs

While the idea of burning pain radiating though your leg muscles might seem alarming, for many athletes it's all too familiar. Lactic acid, a byproduct of hardworking muscles, is responsible for the painful sensation.

Dietary changes can help reduce lactic acid in the muscles. (Image: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages)

Improving athletic performance requires pushing through this pain, but research points to a few nutrients that may help give athletes an edge. Bicarbonate, found in baking soda; potassium-rich foods; New Zealand black currant; and high-magnesium foods are all powerful for conquering lactic acid and helping leg muscles recover.

Read more: Muscle Fatigue & Soreness From Lactic Acid

Lactic Acid in Muscles

During intense exercise, you breathe faster as your body attempts to transport more oxygen to the muscles. Normally, energy is generated using oxygen, called aerobic energy. However, when your lungs can't keep up with energy demands, such as during sprinting or heavy weightlifting, your body uses anaerobic energy.

In one process, called _anaerobic glycolysis_, glucose is broken down into an acidic substance called _lactate_, a shortcut allowing energy production to continue even when oxygen is limited.

The problem is that high levels of lactic acid in muscles cause the burning sensation. This accumulation of lactate stops when you slow down and oxygen is available again, but your athletic performance typically declines at the onset of painful lactic acid buildup.

Increase Dietary Bicarbonate

Bicarbonate is alkaline, and your body produces it to help maintain proper pH. This can help prevent lactic acid buildup in the legs. A 2014 study published in Sports Medicine found that extra bicarbonate in the muscle cells facilitated faster lactic acid removal and improved athletes' performances during high-intensity exercise.

Supplementing with bicarbonate is as easy as stirring baking soda into water. However, some people experience gastrointestinal upset with ingestion of bicarbonate. Before using baking soda, discuss the best dosage with your medical professional to prevent adverse reactions such as diarrhea, gas and bloating. Foods that provide bicarbonate include potassium-rich foods like bananas, leafy greens, tomatoes and potatoes.

Consider New Zealand Sujon Black Currant

The New Zealand Sujon black currant is a dark-purple berry said to have the world's highest concentration of antioxidants and flavonoids. A 2014 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition tested Sujon black currant powder in elite triathletes and found that it helped reduce lactic acid buildup in their legs and quickened the removal of the burning byproduct.

Sujon black currant supplementation was also shown to improve cardiovascular function by increasing stroke volume, which is the amount of blood your heart can move with each pump. Blood washes out lactic acid, making the Sujon black currant a double whammy for muscle recovery.

Sujon black currant supplement, usually in the form of a powder, is available at specialty stores or online. Check with your physician before using it.

Select Magnesium-Rich Foods

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, and getting enough of this mineral is essential for optimal sports and exercise performance. The body uses magnesium to build proteins, for healthy nerve function, and for muscle contraction, such as the beating of your heart and voluntary movements of your large skeletal muscles.

Incorporating magnesium-rich foods into the diet can help with muscle performance, including the speedy recovery from lactic acid buildup. Seeds such as pumpkin and sesame; nuts, including almonds, cashews, peanuts and pine nuts; grains such as amaranth, teff and sorghum; and turkey, mollusks and salmon are at the top of the list for magnesium content.

Read more: Good Foods That Help With Lactic Acid Buildup in the Legs

Ensure Adequate Hydration

Being hydrated during exercise enhances performance and decreases the risks of overheating and injury. To make sure you're adequately hydrated, dietitians at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggest monitoring the color of your urine.

A lemonade color indicates healthy hydration, while an apple juice color suggests dehydration. Water, sports drinks and other electrolyte-replacing fluids, such as coconut water, are appropriate for rehydration.