Is it helpful to drink soda water for muscle soreness?
Sep 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
In general, whether drinking soda water helps with muscle soreness depends on the underlying cause. If the mild soreness is due to lactic acid buildup after exercise, drinking soda water may provide slight relief. However, if the soreness results from muscle strain or overuse injury, soda water is usually ineffective. To alleviate muscle soreness in daily life, it's recommended to stretch muscles promptly after exercise to promote blood circulation.
Generally speaking, whether drinking soda water helps with muscle soreness depends on the underlying cause. If the soreness is mild and caused by lactic acid buildup after exercise, drinking soda water may provide slight relief. However, if the soreness results from muscle strain, overuse, or tissue damage, soda water is usually ineffective. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If muscle soreness is caused by intense physical activity in a short period leading to lactic acid accumulation in muscles, soda water—being weakly alkaline—may theoretically neutralize some of the lactic acid and temporarily reduce discomfort. However, this effect is minimal and does not accelerate lactic acid metabolism, thus having limited impact on overall recovery.
If muscle soreness is due to muscle strain, chronic overuse, or inflammatory responses, the root cause lies in tissue damage or inflammation. In such cases, soda water cannot repair damaged tissues or reduce inflammation.
To relieve muscle soreness in daily life, it is recommended to stretch muscles promptly after exercise to promote blood circulation. When soreness is noticeable, applying heat therapy or gentle massage can help relax the muscles. In cases of minor strains, reduce movement of the affected area and allow the muscle adequate rest.
