Photo Credit: by noithattanabd, flickr.com
For generations, baking soda has been a staple in kitchen cabinets. But it’s not just for baking; it’s also used as a time-honored remedy for everything from heartburn to insect bites.
Your grandmother may have sworn by a teaspoon in water to “settle the stomach,” and the TikTok health influencers of today claim it can whiten teeth or even “alkalize” the body. Some people even turn to baking soda in hopes of achieving weight loss without weight loss medications.
However, while baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) has legitimate medical uses, using it as a casual home remedy—especially without understanding the risks—can be dangerous.
Despite its harmless reputation, baking soda misuse has been linked to serious health complications, including electrolyte imbalances, stomach rupture, and even cardiac arrest. Here’s what you need to know before reaching for that common home ingredient.
A Quick Chemistry Lesson
Baking soda is an alkaline compound that neutralizes acids. As Healthline explains, “Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a popular baking ingredient. It gives foods like bread, cakes, muffins, and cookies a light, fluffy texture.”
When you combine it with stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), it produces water, salt, and carbon dioxide gas. That’s why it fizzes—and why it can temporarily relieve acid reflux or indigestion.
But this chemical reaction can be a double-edged sword. Excess gas in the stomach can lead to discomfort, bloating, or worse. In rare but serious cases, especially if baking soda is consumed after a large meal or alcohol intake, the rapid gas buildup can lead to gastric rupture, which is actually a life-threatening emergency.
Medical News Today puts it this way: “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.”
Common Uses—and Why They’re Problematic
Many people turn to baking soda for minor ailments, assuming that if it’s in the kitchen, it must be safe. But here’s a breakdown of popular uses of baking soda—and the risks they carry.
* Acid Reflux Relief: While baking soda may neutralize acid quickly, using baking soda this way regularly can disrupt your body’s acid-base balance. Your stomach is meant to be acidic to digest food and kill harmful bacteria. Chronic suppression of acid with baking soda can impair digestion and create other issues in the long term.
* Kidney “Detox” or Alkalizing Drinks: Some wellness fads promote baking soda in water as a detox. But unless prescribed by a doctor for certain medical conditions, this can be risky. Excess bicarbonate can overwhelm your body’s buffering systems and lead to metabolic alkalosis—a condition where the blood becomes too alkaline.
* Toothpaste Alternative: Baking soda is mildly abrasive and does help whiten teeth. But frequent use can erode enamel over time, leading to increased sensitivity and cavities. Instead, try a fluoride-based whitening toothpaste like Sensodyne Repair & Protect.
* DIY Deodorant or Rash Treatment: Some people apply baking soda to skin as a natural deodorant or anti-itch agent. However, it can disrupt the skin’s pH and cause irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin or eczema.
Health reports, “Due to its alkaline pH, baking soda can neutralize acids, making it popular for heartburn relief. Its benefits extend to oral care, and studies suggest it may also help reduce inflammation from autoimmune conditions.
While it’s generally safe in small amounts, using too much or using it with certain health conditions can cause serious side effects. Baking soda is a handy remedy, but it should always be used with care.”
The Hidden Dangers: Electrolyte Chaos and Organ Stress
The real danger of baking soda is its high sodium content.
As Everyday Health explains, “A warning: Baking soda is high in sodium. Just ½ tsp contains 630 mg of sodium. Considering that the U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily, ½ tsp of baking soda will supply about one-quarter of that limit.”
In other words, just one teaspoon of baking soda contains about 1,260 mg of sodium, which is over half the daily limit recommended by health guidelines. This seemingly harmless kitchen staple is more dangerous than you may think!
Frequent or high-dose ingestion can lead to:
* Hypernatremia (high sodium levels): Symptoms include confusion, seizures, dehydration, and in extreme cases, brain hemorrhage.
* Hypokalemia (low potassium): Can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and dangerous heart arrhythmias.
* Metabolic Alkalosis: When your blood becomes too alkaline, it can impair oxygen delivery to tissues and disrupt normal cellular function. Symptoms range from fatigue and confusion to muscle twitching and slow breathing.
* Hypocalcemia and Hypochloremia: Both are common side effects of alkalosis and further destabilize electrolyte balance, with risks to neuromuscular and heart function.
In severe cases, these imbalances can result in cardiac complications, kidney strain, or even cardiopulmonary arrest. In fact, sodium bicarbonate ingestion is one of the more serious poisoning scenarios when used incorrectly. Consuming too much baking soda can lead to a toxic overdose.
Mount Sinai reports, “If nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are not controlled, serious dehydration and body chemical and mineral (electrolyte) imbalances may occur. These can cause heart rhythm disturbances.”
People taking heart medications should certainly consult their doctor before considering baking soda for health (rather than cooking) purposes.
Who Should Not Use Baking Soda?
Some individuals are especially at risk and should avoid using baking soda as a remedy altogether. These may include:
* People with heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease: The sodium load can worsen these conditions and interfere with medication.
* Pregnant individuals: The Risk of fluid overload and alkalosis is higher.
* Children under 6: Even small amounts can cause toxicity.
* People on certain medications: Baking soda can interfere with drugs that require stomach acid for absorption, including antacids, aspirin, and some antibiotics.
If you’re taking medications or managing a chronic illness, consult your doctor before using baking soda—even occasionally. While harmful outcomes are rare, they are a good reminder that just because something is natural or common doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe.
Better Alternatives for Common Ailments
If you’re tempted to use baking soda, consider these safer and more effective options instead:
* For heartburn: Try Omeprazole (Prilosec), a proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach acid with medical oversight.
* For indigestion: Over-the-counter antacids like Gaviscon or Tums are formulated for safety and efficacy, with dosage guidance.
* For whitening teeth: Look for enamel-safe products approved by dental associations, like Colgate Optic White.
Final Thoughts: Use with Caution—Or Not at All
Baking soda certainly has its place in the kitchen—and, under medical supervision, occasionally in health care. But using it frequently or casually as a DIY remedy can cause more harm than good if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you’ve been relying on baking soda to self-treat heartburn, detox, or other symptoms, it’s time to rethink that habit and consult with a medical professional for advice. Many over-the-counter products are designed to be safer and more effective, and they come with dosing instructions backed by research and regulation.
The next time you reach for that little orange box of baking soda, ask yourself: Is this a harmless help or a potential health hazard?
Remember to always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using home remedies for health concerns. What works in the kitchen doesn’t always work in the body.
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