What is Baking Soda? Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects, and More (2024)

FAQs

What is Baking Soda? Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects, and More? ›

Traditionally, baking soda is a popular antacid for heartburn and indigestion because it can neutralize stomach acid. You can add ½ teaspoon (tsp) in ½ cup of water to help ease heartburn. A warning, however: Baking soda is high in sodium. Just ½ tsp contains 630 milligrams (mg) of sodium.

Largeman-Roth also points out that baking soda contains a lot of sodium. “Just one teaspoon racks up a stunning 1,260 milligrams of sodium, so using it as a home remedy isn't a good idea if you have high blood pressure or need to restrict sodium,” she says.

While baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is generally safe to consume in small amounts, it is not recommended to take a teaspoon of baking soda every day without medical supervision.

However, it's not widely recommended that you wash your face with baking soda or use it for acne. This treatment may be used with caution on the shoulders or back, but should not be used on large areas of the body or on the face.

A 2021 review found that sodium bicarbonate may help slow the decline of kidney function and significantly improve vascular endothelial function (blood flow) in people with CKD. Another 2022 study examined the use of sodium bicarbonate treatment in people with late stage CKD and metabolic acidosis.

You can take baking soda any time of the day, but it's important not to consume it on a full stomach.

Some people drink baking soda for indigestion and other purposes, but drinking baking soda can be dangerous and is not suitable for long-term use, use during pregnancy, or use in children. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a popular substance with many uses.

You can use it to: Calm indigestion: Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water to zap acid in your stomach. But acid doesn't cause all kinds of indigestion, so if your symptoms don't improve, call your doctor. Don't take baking soda within 2 hours of other medications.

Is baking soda good to reduce belly fat? ›

There is no scientific evidence that baking soda is effective for weight loss. In fact, there are many potentially dangerous side effects of ingesting baking soda in large amounts on its own or with water. People should only consume baking soda by itself if a healthcare professional recommends it.

Early after an ingestion of too much baking soda, vomiting and diarrhea are common as the body tries to correct the high sodium concentration by pulling more water into the digestive tract. After absorption, high sodium concentrations can cause seizures, dehydration, and kidney failure.

When a baking soda is mixed with the lemon juice then Carbon dioxide ( ) gas is released in the form of bubbles. As the chemical composition of the substance is getting changed and as the new product is formed by the mixing. Therefore, it is a Chemical change.

Baking soda is a versatile ingredient whose uses extend far beyond cooking. This household staple shines when it comes to neutralizing odors and cleaning, as it helps remove tough stains, eliminate foul odors, and clean difficult areas like the oven, microwave, and tile grout.

Yes, it does work. While baking soda can't protect your teeth from cavities as effectively as a fluoride toothpaste can, it's still considered a good cleaning agent for your teeth. Toothpastes containing baking soda have been shown to have antibacterial properties, which can help protect your teeth from decay.

The Food Marketing Institute's "The Food Keeper" recommends storing unopened baking soda at room temperature for 18 months. After opening, store at room temperature for 6 months for best quality.

Baking soda is an alkaline substance that can neutralize excess stomach acid. In small amounts, it provides temporary relief from indigestion and works in a similar way to over-the-counter (OTC) indigestion remedies.

Baking soda benefits

Try it: Combine 1/4 tsp. baking soda with 8 to 12 oz. of water. A baking soda and water tonic can provide short-term relief from inflammation, but do not drink it for more than 2 to 4 weeks.

Sodium bicarbonate's ability to neutralize acid helps treat conditions related to high acidity in bodily fluids, such as indigestion, which is caused by too much acid in the stomach. People commonly use sodium bicarbonate for indigestion.

Too much baking soda may cause diarrhea, stomach disturbances, gas, headaches, nausea, swelling, or vomiting. The body will eliminate the excess sodium consumed in a tablespoon of baking soda so there is no need to worry about anything dangerous occurring.