Sodium bicarbonate is a natural chemical substance, which is also known as baking soda. According to research, sodium bicarbonate can treat acute cases of heartburn, boost athletic performance, improve oral health , and whiten teeth. It may also help reduce inflamation.
Sodium bicarbonate, which is categorized as an antacid, also makes your stomach's environment less acidic (more basic).
While more extensive research is necessary regarding effectiveness, people generally use sodium bicarbonate supplements or over-the-counter (OTC) products to treat various health conditions.
Research is most robust for the following conditions:
Heartburn is often caused by acid reflux, a digestive issue where stomach acid flows from the stomach back into the esophagus. The pancreas creates sodium bicarbonate to protect your intestines, and baking soda is thought to replicate this action.
Therefore, as an absorbable antacid, sodium bicarbonate can offset stomach acid and temporarily relieve heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.
Sodium bicarbonate is available as an OTC product for this use. Other uses may also relieve indigestion or an upset stomach.
People with kidney problems—acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term)—may experience acidosis, which is a buildup of acid in the blood.
Sodium bicarbonate is commonly used in people with acute kidney injury (AKI) to reverse this acidity in the blood. Moreover, it's thought that treating this acidosis may also slow down the worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
However, a systematic review (a methodical review of a collection of studies) concluded that more high-quality clinical trials are needed to study sodium bicarbonate in AKI.
In a more recent systematic review and meta-analysis (a methodical review and analysis of a collection of studies), sodium bicarbonate may slow the worsening of CKD.
However, another clinical trial studied sodium bicarbonate supplements in adults with CKD and a buildup of acid in the blood. According to the results, sodium bicarbonate didn't improve physical or kidney function. What's more, there were increased side effects with sodium bicarbonate.
But sodium bicarbonate's effects on the following are unclear:
Because of this, more rigorous clinical trials are still necessary to better understand sodium bicarbonate's safety and effects in people with CKD.
In a small clinical trial, healthy study participants used a sodium bicarbonate liquid mouth rinse. Results showed:
The study authors also noted that people with canker sores (mouth sores) might benefit from a sodium bicarbonate rinse, and people undergoing chemotherapy may prefer this rinse because of its bland taste.
Since this was a small clinical trial, more extensive and higher-quality studies are warranted to better understand sodium bicarbonate's effects on oral health.
Some people also use baking soda to whiten teeth. When mixed with water, the baking soda becomes a paste, similar to the consistency of toothpaste. Some people combine the mix with hydrogen peroxide, as well.
Because it's a mild abrasive, research shows that scrubbing teeth with it can effectively remove stains without damaging the tooth's enamel, as other harsher whiteners might.
According to experts from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), sodium bicarbonate supplements mainly improve athletic performance in short, high-intensity exercises lasting between 30 seconds to 12 minutes.
ISSN's conclusion resulted from a thorough and critical analysis of studies on sodium bicarbonate supplements on athletic performance.
However, ISSN experts noted the placebo effect—an improvement in mental or physical health that occurs in response to treatment that may have had no therapeutic value in and of itself—may play a role in some of sodium bicarbonate's effects.
Some people use baking soda to reduce inflammation. In one study, animals and humans drank a mixture of water and baking soda, and the findings suggested that it resulted in anti-inflammatory effects.
Other research suggests that the substance could benefit those who deal with inflammation related to arthritis, as well as reducing autoimmune activity, as seen in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Many people with autoimmune disorders regularly use baking soda to help treat their symptoms.
Sodium bicarbonate is a substance added to food and is generally recognized as safe. However, as with many medications and supplements, sodium bicarbonate may have side effects.
Common side effects of sodium bicarbonate may include:
While stomach pain is a common side effect of sodium bicarbonate, it may become severe and excessive.
A severe allergic reaction is a profound side effect possible with any medication or supplement. If you're having a severe allergic reaction, symptoms may include breathing difficulties, itchiness, and rash.
If you're having a severe allergic reaction or if any of your symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911 and get medical help right away.
A healthcare provider may advise against sodium bicarbonate if any of the following applies:
Studies have used different sodium bicarbonate doses and forms (tablets, powder, or intravenous) for delivery.
Moreover, the dose may vary based on the dosage form, the medical condition being treated, and your exercise goals. If you use sodium bicarbonate, follow a healthcare provider's recommendations or product label instructions.
If you accidentally took too much sodium bicarbonate, symptoms may include the following:
If you think you're experiencing an overdose or life-threatening symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Since sodium bicarbonate lowers acid levels, it may interact with several medications that require an acidic environment in the stomach.
For example, sodium bicarbonate may interact with specific human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications—like Edurant (rilpivirine). It may also be incompatible with:
It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
Storage instructions may vary by product. Carefully read the directions and packaging label on the container.
Generally, natural products should be stored in a cool, dry place unless otherwise instructed. Keep it tightly closed and out of the sight and reach of children and pets, ideally locked in a cabinet or closet.
Discard after one year or as indicated on the packaging. Avoid putting unused and expired products down the drain or in the toilet.
Ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider any questions you may have about how to dispose of your natural products.
Nutrition guidelines typically emphasize getting nutrients through food sources rather than chemical forms and supplements. However, there is still a place for supplements for certain groups of people, such as those with certain medical conditions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) includes sodium bicarbonate on its list of branded foods.
Sodium bicarbonate is a natural substance that can be added to food and has various uses in the kitchen—like making dough rise, increasing food flavors, and ensuring certain foods aren't too acidic.
Sodium bicarbonate supplements may be available in the following forms:
Sodium bicarbonate has also been used as a mouth rinse. Vegetarian options might be available. You may also see sodium bicarbonate in combination with other ingredients.
The product you choose will depend on your preference and what you hope to achieve. Each product may work a bit differently, depending on the form. Therefore, following a healthcare provider's recommendations or label directions is essential.
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a natural chemical. It's also available as an OTC antacid to help relieve heartburn. Other potential uses include improving athletic performance in specific exercises, supporting oral health, and helping with kidney problems.
Baking soda is a handy all-purpose item due to its wide variety of uses, from cleaning countertops to supporting oral care. Here’s a comprehensive list of household uses.
Mouthwash is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. It reaches the corners of your mouth and crevices of your teeth, gums, and tongue that you might miss during brushing.
Baking soda may be used as a replacement for mouthwash because it could help freshen your breath and even exert antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Although a study found that baking soda mouthwash didn’t significantly lower oral bacteria levels, it increased the pH levels of saliva, which is important for inhibiting bacterial growth.
To make your own baking soda mouthwash, add 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams [g]) of baking soda to half a glass (120 mL) of warm water, then swish as usual.
Baking soda is a popular home remedy for whitening teeth.
Research suggests that toothpaste containing baking soda may be better for whitening teeth and removing plaque than toothpaste without baking soda.
This is likely because baking soda has mild abrasive properties that can break the bonds of molecules that stain your teeth. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which may help fight harmful bacteria.
Surprisingly, human sweat is odorless.
Sweat only gains odor after bacteria break it down in your armpits. These bacteria convert your sweat into acidic waste products, which give sweat its smell.
Baking soda is a common ingredient in deodorants because it helps absorb odors. It’s sometimes also used as a natural deodorant to eliminate the smell of sweat by making its odors less acidic, though there’s limited research on whether this strategy works.
Try patting baking soda onto your armpits or mixing it with a bit of coconut oil, shea butter, or cornstarch to create homemade deodorant.
Baking soda may help freshen a smelly fridge by neutralizing foul odors. Although it doesn’t absorb or mask smells, research from suggests that it eliminates odor particles, which helps manage any smells.
To try this trick, fill a cup with baking soda and place it in the back of your fridge.
Not all commercial air fresheners eliminate foul odors. Some simply release fragrance molecules that mask other smells.
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In addition, not all air fresheners provide an ingredient list, which may be problematic if you’re sensitive to chemicals that may be found in air fresheners.
Baking soda may be a safer alternative to commercial air fresheners, as it’s free of industrial chemicals and neutralizes odor particles.
To create an air freshener with baking soda, you need:
Add the baking soda and essential oils to the jar. Cover it with the cloth or paper, then secure it in place with the string and put it in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. When the scent starts to fade, give the jar a shake.
Baking soda is an inexpensive way to whiten and clean your laundry.
That’s because it’s an alkali — a soluble salt — that can help remove dirt and stains. An alkali like baking soda works by interacting with acids in stains when dissolved in water.
To try it out, add 1/2 cup (110 g) of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, so you may need less detergent than usual.
The versatility of baking soda makes it a great kitchen cleaner. Mixing it with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar may also help control the growth of harmful microorganisms, including mold or bacteria.
You can make a paste by mixing baking soda with an equal amount of lemon juice and a bit of water. Apply the paste to the desired surface with a sponge or cloth and scrub thoroughly.
Here are a few kitchen appliances, items, and surfaces that you can clean with baking soda:
Full trash bags often have a putrid odor because they contain decaying waste. If it’s particularly foul, this smell can spread to your kitchen and other areas of your home.
Baking soda can help eliminate garbage smells by neutralizing acidic odor molecules.
A study found that spreading baking soda at the bottom of waste bins may reduce garbage odor by 70%.
A combination of baking soda and vinegar may help remove carpet stains.
Mixing baking soda and vinegar creates a compound called carbonic acid, which is a common ingredient in cleaning products. This reaction creates a lot of fizzing, which may help break down tough stains.
Here’s how you can eliminate carpet stains with just baking soda and vinegar:
While numerous commercial bathroom cleaners exist, many people prefer more natural, cost-effective cleaning options.
Baking soda is a common cleaning agent that may help disinfect many bathroom surfaces. That said, it may be less effective than commercial cleaners.
Here are a few surfaces you can clean with baking soda:
Make a paste using baking soda and a bit of water. Using a sponge or a cloth, rub the mixture thoroughly onto the surface you wish to clean, then wipe down the surface 15 to 20 minutes later with a damp cloth.
Many people are concerned about pesticide residue on foods. Pesticides are used to protect crops from insects, germs, rodents, and weeds, but many have harmful effects on human health.
Peeling fruit is the best way to remove pesticides. However, it also means you don’t get all of the important nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, found in the skins of many fruits.
Some research suggests that a baking soda wash is the most effective way to remove pesticides from fruits and veggies without peeling them.
A study found that soaking apples in a solution of baking soda and water for 12 to 15 minutes removed nearly all of the pesticide residue.
Keep in mind that this method doesn’t remove pesticides that have penetrated the fruit’s or veggie’s skin. Plus, more research is needed to see whether this works for other types of produce.
Baking soda is a handy alternative to commercial silver polishers. You’ll just need a few extra ingredients:
Add the baking soda to the aluminum baking pan and slowly pour in the vinegar. Next, pour in the boiling water, then place the silver in the baking pan.
The tarnish should begin to disappear almost immediately. You can remove most silverware from the pan within 30 seconds, but heavily tarnished silverware may need to sit in the mixture for up to 1 minute.
In this mixture, silver undergoes a chemical reaction with the aluminum pan and baking soda. It transfers the tarnish from the silverware onto the aluminum pan and may create pale, yellow residue at the bottom of the pan.
It’s easy to accidentally scorch the bottom of a pot while cooking.
These can be a nightmare to clean, but you can save a scorched pot with baking soda and water.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of the pot, and add enough water to cover the burnt areas. Bring the mixture to a boil and empty the pan as usual.
If stains or burnt food particles remain, grab a scouring pad, add a small amount of washing liquid, and gently remove them.
Some fire extinguishers contain baking soda. These types, known as dry chemical fire extinguishers, are used to extinguish oil, grease, and electrical fires. Baking soda reacts with the heat to produce carbon dioxide, which smothers the fire.
As such, you can use baking soda to extinguish small oil and grease fires.
However, don’t expect baking soda to extinguish larger house fires. These fires draw in more oxygen and easily neutralize the effects of baking soda.
Weeds often have deep roots, making them hard to eradicate without using chemical weed killers.
Some people claim that baking soda is a cheaper, safer alternative because it’s high in sodium, which might create a harsh environment for weeds.
Sprinkle a few handfuls of baking soda over weeds in areas like the cracks of your sidewalk or driveway. However, avoid using baking soda to kill weeds in your flowerbeds and gardens, as it may harm your other plants as well.
Baking soda may help freshen up smelly shoes by counteracting foul-smelling odors.
Pour 2 tablespoons (9 g) of baking soda into 2 cheesecloths or thin pieces of fabric. Secure the cloths with a rubber band or string and place one in each shoe.
Remove the baking soda bags when you want to wear your shoes.
In addition to baking soda’s many household uses, it may offer several health benefits.
Heartburn, also called acid reflux, is a painful, burning sensation in the upper region of your stomach that can spread into your throat.
It occurs when acid flows out of your stomach and up into your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth.
Baking soda water may help relieve heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. To try it, dissolve 1 teaspoon (5 g) of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly.
However, it’s important to note that consuming high amounts of baking soda may lead to several side effects, including:
Continued use may also lead to metabolic alkalosis — a condition in which your blood becomes overly alkaline — and heart problems.
Speak with a doctor before trying baking soda for heartburn, especially if you have an underlying health condition.
»More on this:Baking soda for acid refluxCanker sores are small, painful ulcers that can form inside your mouth. Unlike cold sores, canker sores don’t form on your lips and aren’t contagious.
You can make baking soda mouthwash by adding 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) of baking soda to half a glass (120 mL) of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this mixture once a day until the canker sore heals.
»More on this:How to treat canker soresRemember to speak with a healthcare professional before taking supplements, and read and follow the supplement labels correctly.
»More on this:Baking soda for exercise performanceA baking soda bath may help soothe dry, itchy, and scaly skin that could be related to bug bites, sunburn, or skin conditions like psoriasis.
To make a baking soda bath, add 1 to 2 cups (220 to 440 g) of baking soda to a lukewarm bath. Make sure the affected area is soaked thoroughly.
For specific areas, create a paste with baking soda and a bit of water, then apply a thick layer to the affected area.
»More on this:Baking soda and skin careYour kidneys help remove excess waste and water from your blood while balancing important minerals like potassium, sodium, and calcium.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is when you slowly lose kidney function.
Although more studies are needed, some research suggests that taking sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) supplements may help improve kidney function and slow the progression of CKD.
Still, it’s best to talk with your doctor before ingesting baking soda if you have kidney problems.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
It’s often treated with chemotherapy, which is a chemical cocktail that slows or stops the growth of cancer cells, which usually grow and divide at a rapid rate.
Some research shows that baking soda may help chemotherapy medicines work more effectively by making the environment for tumors less acidic.
However, because the current evidence is limited to animal and test-tube studies, human research is needed. If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, consult your doctor before complementing your chemotherapy treatment with baking soda.
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