Lactic Acid

chemistry · muscles · food science

Made by muscles. When you exercise hard and your muscles need energy fast, they produce lactic acid as a byproduct. This is why your muscles might feel tired or sore after intense activity.

In your favorite foods. Lactic acid is naturally created when bacteria break down milk sugar to make yogurt, cheese, and other fermented foods. It gives these foods their tangy taste.

A special molecule. Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid, which means it has a special arrangement of atoms that makes it useful in skincare products and other industries.

Clear liquid form. When lactic acid dissolves in water, it becomes a colorless liquid that can be used as a building block to create all sorts of other chemicals in factories.