Introduction: 12 TOP Health Benefits Of Using Baking Soda DAILY (Shocking Impact)
Welcome to today’s post about the incredible health benefits of baking soda. This common household item, often overlooked and underestimated, might just be one of the most powerful remedies sitting in your kitchen.
Beyond its uses in baking and cleaning, baking soda can be a secret weapon for your health. Let’s dive into the science and stories behind the everyday wonders of baking soda, from soothing your stomach to enhancing workouts.
Discover how something so simple can be so effective, and learn about any potential risks of daily use. Here are twelve surprising health benefits of baking soda.
1. Heartburn Relief
Baking soda neutralizes stomach acid, providing quick relief from heartburn. When stomach acid rises into the esophagus, it causes discomfort known as heartburn.
Baking soda, being a basic compound, neutralizes this acid, offering immediate relief. Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly.
This helps neutralize excess acid without causing secondary symptoms like gas or bloating. However, frequent heartburn may indicate a more serious condition like GERD, so it’s important to consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist.
2. Oral Health Improvement
Baking soda’s mild abrasiveness helps remove plaque and surface stains from teeth, making it an excellent addition to your oral hygiene routine. Its alkaline nature also helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
You can use it by sprinkling a small amount on a wet toothbrush and brushing as usual, or by mixing it with water to create a mouth rinse. This can enhance your dental hygiene, leading to cleaner teeth and a healthier oral environment.
3. Exercise Enhancement
Baking soda acts as a buffering agent, delaying the onset of muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise. When you engage in strenuous physical activity, your muscles produce lactic acid, leading to a decrease in performance and increased fatigue.
By buffering this acid, baking soda allows you to maintain a higher level of performance for a longer period. Consume 0.2 to 0.3 grams of baking soda per kilogram of body weight in water about 1 to 2 hours before exercise.
This can help athletes sustain high-intensity efforts across events or training sessions. Start with a lower dose to assess tolerance and gradually increase.
4. Kidney Health Support
Sodium bicarbonate can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by reducing the acid load on the kidneys. CKD patients often have to filter excess acid, putting additional strain on their kidneys.
By neutralizing this acid, baking soda reduces this strain, potentially prolonging kidney function. Studies have shown that CKD patients who take sodium bicarbonate supplements experience slower disease progression.
However, it’s crucial to use this under medical supervision to avoid complications like electrolyte imbalances or increased blood pressure.
5. Digestive Aid
Baking soda acts as an antacid, providing relief from indigestion and upset stomach. It neutralizes stomach acids, easing discomfort and providing immediate relief from symptoms like bloating, gas, and nausea.
Functional dyspepsia, characterized by chronic indigestion without an identifiable cause, can also benefit from baking soda. A study highlighted its effectiveness in managing these symptoms, improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic digestive complaints.
Moderation is key, as overuse can lead to an alkaline imbalance. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience frequent digestive issues.
6. Skin Infection Prevention
Baking soda has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help prevent skin infections. Its alkaline nature disrupts the environment that bacteria and fungi thrive in, reducing the risk of infections like athlete’s foot and folliculitis. To use baking soda for skin infections, create a paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water. Apply this paste to the affected area, leave it on for several minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. This method can provide relief and help maintain healthy skin. For severe or persistent infections, always seek professional medical treatment.
7. UTI Reduction
Alkalizing the urine with baking soda can reduce the frequency and severity of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Bacteria that cause UTIs, such as E. coli, thrive in slightly acidic environments. By raising the pH of urine, baking soda creates a less hospitable environment for these bacteria.
Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it once daily. This should ideally be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider to avoid potential issues like electrolyte imbalances. Baking soda can be a helpful adjunct in managing recurrent UTIs.
8. Odor Neutralization
Baking soda effectively neutralizes body and home odors. It works by breaking down volatile compounds that cause unpleasant smells into less volatile salts, thus eliminating the odors.
For personal use, apply a small amount of baking soda directly to the underarms as a natural deodorant. It neutralizes the body odor produced by the bacterial breakdown of perspiration.
For home use, sprinkle baking soda on carpets, in trash bins, or anywhere else odors are a problem. Its versatility and safety profile make it a great alternative to chemical deodorants and air fresheners.
9. Gout Relief
Baking soda can help lower uric acid levels in the body, reducing the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness, often in the joints.
Baking soda helps prevent the formation of uric acid crystals that cause these attacks. Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it several times a day, not exceeding four teaspoons daily.
However, do not use this remedy continuously for more than two weeks without medical supervision, as it can affect fluid and electrolyte balance.
10. Chemotherapy Support
Baking soda may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy by altering the acidity around tumors. Tumor acidity can affect how well chemotherapy drugs perform, and baking soda’s alkalizing properties can make cancer cells more susceptible to treatment.
A study suggested that consuming a solution of baking soda, usually about half a teaspoon dissolved in water daily, during chemotherapy could improve outcomes. This should be done under medical supervision to ensure it does not interfere with specific chemotherapy drugs or exacerbate other health conditions.
11. Cognitive Function
Managing blood acidity with baking soda may influence cognitive health. High blood acidity can negatively affect brain function, contributing to cognitive decline.
A study found that individuals with higher blood acidity levels showed poorer cognitive performance, suggesting that managing acidity could support cognitive health.
While this study did not use baking soda specifically, it underscores the potential benefits of maintaining balanced pH levels.
Consult a healthcare professional before starting any new regimen for cognitive enhancement, especially with something as potent as baking soda.
12. Canker Sore Relief
Baking soda can soothe canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, which are small, painful lesions inside the mouth.
Baking soda’s alkaline nature helps neutralize the acidic environment that aggravates these sores, promoting faster healing.
To use, make a paste by mixing a small amount of baking soda with water and apply it directly to the sore. Alternatively, create a mouth rinse by dissolving one teaspoon of baking soda in half a cup of warm water, swish it around the mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat several times a day for relief.
Conclusion
These are just a few ways baking soda can contribute to your daily health. Share your experiences with baking soda’s health benefits in the comments below. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more content like this. Thank you for reading!
