Health benefits
In addition to the many the household uses listed above, baking
soda may offer several health benefits.
May help treat heartburn
Heartburn, also called acid reflux, is a painful, burning
sensation in the upper region of your stomach that can spread into your throat.
It’s caused when acid flows out of your stomach and up into your
esophagus, which is the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth.
Although acid reflux has many causes, it often occurs after you
eat large meals, drink carbonated beverages, or eat greasy or spicy foods.
Baking soda can help treat heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. To try it, dissolve 1
teaspoon (5 grams) of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the
mixture slowly.
However, there are downsides to this treatment to keep in mind:
- There’s some debate as to whether everyone with
heartburn symptoms has high levels of stomach acid.
- Baking soda is very high in sodium, with 630 mg per 1/2
teaspoon (2.3 grams), which is important to be aware of if you have to
limit your sodium intake.
- Continued use may lead to metabolic — a condition in which your blood becomes overly
alkaline — and heart problems.
May soothe canker sores
Canker 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.
Though more evidence is needed, some older studies suggest that
baking soda mouthwash soothes pain caused by canker sores.
You can make baking soda mouthwash using the recipe in the
previous chapter. Rinse your mouth with this mixture once a day until the
canker sore heals.
May improve exercise performance
Baking soda is a popular supplements among athletes, who also call it sodium bicarbonate.
Some studies show that baking soda helps you perform longer at
your peak, especially during anaerobic exercises or high intensity training and
sprinting.
During high intensity exercise, your muscle cells start
producing lactic acid, which is responsible for the burning feeling you get
while working out. Lactic acid also lowers the pH inside of your cells,
potentially causing your muscles to tire.
Baking soda may help delay fatigue due to its high pH, letting
you perform at max intensity for longer.
For example, one study found that cyclists who took baking soda
exercised for an average of 4.5 minutes longer than those who didn’t take
baking soda.
According to one review, this supplement may be effective when
used in doses around 0.13 grams per pound (0.3 grams per kg) of body weight.
Another study recommends a dose of 135 mg of baking soda per
pound of body weight.
May relieve itchy skin and sunburns
A baking soda bath is often recommended to soothe itchy skin
after bug bites or bee stings.
Additionally, baking soda may help soothe skin that’s ithching from sunburns. Some people claim that it’s more effective
when combined with other ingredients like cornstarch and oatmeal.
To make a baking soda bath, add 1–2 cups (220–440 grams) 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.
May slow the progression of chronic kidney
disease
Your kidneys are vital because they help remove excess waste and
water from your blood while balancing important minerals like potassium,
sodium, and calcium.
Although more research is needed, some studies suggest that
taking sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) supplements improves kidney function
and helps slow the progression of CKD.
Still, it’s best to talk with your doctor before ingesting
baking soda if you have kidney problems.
May improve certain cancer treatments
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.
