And, even though sodium bicarbonate can buffer metabolic acidosis, an event that increases muscle breakdown, no research has shown supplementation to improve muscle growth nor preserve muscle.
In the case of health, sodium bicarbonate indeed has a solid track record largely thanks to its metabolic acidosis buffering, aiding the kidneys in acid-base balance and preventing bone mineral loss.
Similarly, when there's a metabolic acidosis from excess organic acids like lactic acid and ketoacids, protons can enter cells with the organic anion rather than having to get exchanged for potassium ions.