Baking soda and water: You must have used baking soda ample of times in the kitchen, or maybe to clean your laundry, or maybe you took it the time your stomach was hurting. There are chances you must have used it in your science projects at school as well (Yes, the ones where you used to mix it with vinegar!) 

Baking soda, also known by the name of sodium bicarbonate, is a popular baking product and a staple household product. Its wide-ranging use in cooking stems from the fact that baking soda possesses leavening properties, i.e. it causes the dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide. Studies have shown that drinking a solution of baking soda can trigger the stomach to make more acid to digest the next meal. In the spleen, the population of immune cells called macrophages shifted from primarily those that promote inflammation, called M1, to those that reduce it, called M2.  

Baking soda also interacts with acidic ingredients like buttermilk and cocoa in cakes and other baked goods to help the batter expand and, along with heat from the oven, rise. It can also help raise the pH in pools, is found in antacids, and can help clean your teeth and tub. In short, the benefits of drinking baking soda are quite far-reaching, so let’s have a close look at all of them.

What are the Benefits of Drinking Baking Soda

1. Acts as an antacid: When there is a backflow of stomach acid in the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation and heat in the stomach, leading to acid indigestion. Baking soda and Water help in neutralizing the excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thus acting as an antacid.
2. May help in preventing kidney stones: The reasons behind the formation of kidney stones are wide-ranged, from iron deficiency to excessive acid and even dehydration in the body. Drinking baking soda alkalizes the body’s urine to dissolve the uric acid, restoring the body’s pH level and helping in the prevention of kidney stones.
3. May prevent UTIs: Baking soda possesses antiseptic properties which helps combat the bacteria in the urinary bladder, hence reducing the acid levels of urine, and therefore preventing the risk of developing urinary tract infections to a great extent.
4. Reduces inflammation: when uric acid gets accumulated in the body’s joints, it can lead to severe problems and health conditions like arthritis, etc. the consumption of baking soda helps in increasing the pH levels and alkalizing the blood, and also preventing the deposition of uric acid.
5. Cleans the digestive system: baking soda water can be quite beneficial in cleaning the body’s gut and hence, maintaining the pH levels. People with digestive issues are generally recommended to drink baking soda water.
6. Promotes cardiovascular health: adding one teaspoon of baking soda in an eight-ounce glass of water daily is believed to have the ability to detoxify our blood and improve its flow by helping to break down blockages.
7. Promotes good health of your kidneys: kidneys are an important organ of our bodies, promoting healthy hormone production and getting rid of toxins. Studies suggest that even in people with advanced chronic kidney diseases, baking soda can help considerably slow down the decline of kidneys.
8. Might help lose weight: according to the research available on baking soda, the belief that it can help lose weight is a myth. There is no evidence to suggest that it boosts metabolism or aids weight loss in any other way. However, it can help you get more benefits out of your workout sessions, and probably this is the reason people associate it with losing weight. However, there is no evidence on the same yet.

Risks Associated with Baking Soda Consumption

People who are going through treatment or have any of the following medical conditions should avoid the use of baking soda. They might consume it when prescribed by a doctor.

• Appendicitis
• Edema
• Heart diseases
• High blood pressure
• Kidney or liver diseases
• Alkalosis

The consumption of baking soda is not completely safe and can result in a lot of concerning effects. If you ingest baking soda, you will need to urinate more, this condition is called bicarbonate dieresis. This excess urination can lead to the loss of important minerals from the body like chloride, sodium, potassium, and even water. 

Also Read: Wash Fruits & Vegetables with Baking Soda

Although drinking baking soda promotes kidney health, excessive consumption can harm the organ. It can affect the way the kidneys work, and hence, prevent the kidneys from filtering out the baking soda properly. Dehydration caused by the need to urinate and being unable to replenish the water in the body can also cause complications at times. 

It has also been suggested that consuming large amounts of baking soda can lead to a condition called hypernatremia, which means higher than normal levels of sodium in the blood. Hypernatremia can have very severe effects on the body in some conditions. It can cause the brain cells and the neurons to shrink, causing brain hemorrhages and rupturing the blood vessels of the brain. Common symptoms after ingesting too much baking soda involve vomiting and diarrhea, because of the huge amounts of water pulled in the digestive tract to absorb the sodium into the body. Ingesting excess baking soda can even cause stomach ruptures, due to the increased formation of gas in the stomach.

How to Make Baking Soda Water at Home?

Talking all about baking soda would be completely futile if you do not even know how to make baking soda water for yourself. So well, don’t worry, we’re here to your rescue.

Take a glass of water, with a capacity of around 200 milliliters. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to the glass and drink once a day. Your dose can vary according to the instructions prescribed by your doctor if you’re visiting any. And, do remember to consult your doctor if you experience any side effects in the primary stage of consumption, or if you’re already undergoing medications for any treatment or are experiencing any health conditions as described above. 

Also Read: Baking Soda On Face