Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of Baking SodaAnti-InflammatoryHow To Use ItSide EffectsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Baking Soda
Anti-Inflammatory
How To Use It
Side Effects
Frequently Asked Questions
Baking sodais used for a lot of at-home remedies. These range from whitening your teeth to calming an upset stomach.
Some research shows baking soda may also decreasearthritis-related inflammation. And it may help reduce autoimmune activity. So it could be useful against diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) andlupus.
This article walks you through some uses of baking soda, the research on its anti-inflammatory benefits, how to use it, and what potential problems you should be aware of.
Michelle Arnold / EyeEm / Getty Images
Baking soda(sodium bicarbonate) is a chemical compound often found in:
It typically comes in white powder form. But you can also find it in capsules and various solutions.
Baking soda is inexpensive and available at grocery stores. That makes it popular as an add-on treatment for a wide range of ailments.
Health conditions it shows promise for include:
Baking soda may also improve stamina levels in athletes.
Baking Soda as Cancer Treatment
Anti-Inflammatory Action of Baking Soda
Inflammationis part of many diseases. It causes pain and myriad other symptoms.
Consuming baking soda could help create an anti-inflammatory environment in the body. A 2018 study involved animals and humans drinking baking soda mixed with water.The study suggested that regular use could help reduce inflammation from autoimmune conditions like RA. The baking soda appeared to affect immune cells called macrophages.
Macrophages are involved in the inflammatory process. When they detect a threat (like a virus), macrophages send out signals that cause inflammation.
Researchers say baking soda made macrophages change these signals. Instead of an attack signal, they sent out a calming message that lowered inflammation.
The authors of the study indicate that there is “potential” for baking soda to be a “practical and/or cost-effective and relatively safe method” to activate anti-inflammatory pathways and treat inflammatory diseases.However, much more research is needed to determine how effective taking baking soda really is for autoimmune diseases such as RA.
What Is Autoimmunity?Autoimmunity is friendly fire from the immune system. Your system mistakes a healthy cell or tissue in your body for something dangerous. It then attacks that cell or tissue as it would a virus or bacterium. This leads to inflammation and tissue damage. More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified.
What Is Autoimmunity?
Autoimmunity is friendly fire from the immune system. Your system mistakes a healthy cell or tissue in your body for something dangerous. It then attacks that cell or tissue as it would a virus or bacterium. This leads to inflammation and tissue damage. More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified.
Fight Inflammation Naturally
In the inflammation study, scientists started with a small amount of baking soda. They then gradually increased it. Participants sipped it throughout the day.
The starting amount was 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 20 ounces of water. This was taken a few times a week. This amount was increased to 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 20 ounces of water.
Talk to your healthcare provider before trying baking soda medicinally. Keep track of any changes you notice, either good or bad.
The study only evaluated baking soda intake for two weeks. Long-term effects are unknown. Ask your provider how long to use it.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement routine or using baking soda for any type of health condition.
Baking soda can have some side effects. Some are fairly mild while others may be severe. It may also interact badly with some medications.
Typical side effects include:
A few simple things can help you reduce or avoid these effects.
Sodium Blood Test: What to Expect
Serious Side Effects
Baking soda is considered safe when used correctly. Still, talk to your healthcare provider before using it. They may know of potential problems you don’t.
Don’t ingest high amounts of baking soda or use it for a long time. That can cause many types of serious side effects, including:
Drug Interactions
Baking soda may affect how your body absorbs medications. That applies to:
Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist if baking soda may cause problems with anything you’re taking.
When It’s an EmergencyIf you’re short of breath or your heart is racing, it could be from too much baking soda. Get immediate medical attention.
When It’s an Emergency
If you’re short of breath or your heart is racing, it could be from too much baking soda. Get immediate medical attention.
Summary
Baking soda may lower acidity in your mouth and stomach, fight body odor, improve kidney function, and alter autoimmune activity.
Check with your healthcare provider whether baking soda is safe for you or could interfere with your medications. If you want to try it, start slowly with low doses. Then gradually work up to 1/4 teaspoon a day, in 20 ounces of water.
Watch for side effects. Serious side effects are often tied to overuse.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, drinking too much baking soda can be dangerous. Get immediate medical help for:ConstipationConvulsionsDiarrheaIrritabilityMuscle spasmsMuscle weaknessVomitingYes, some evidence supports using baking soda for certain skin conditions. It may help with some fungal and bacterial infections. This includes yeast infectionsand fungal infections of the skin and nails.
Yes, drinking too much baking soda can be dangerous. Get immediate medical help for:ConstipationConvulsionsDiarrheaIrritabilityMuscle spasmsMuscle weaknessVomiting
Yes, drinking too much baking soda can be dangerous. Get immediate medical help for:
Yes, some evidence supports using baking soda for certain skin conditions. It may help with some fungal and bacterial infections. This includes yeast infectionsand fungal infections of the skin and nails.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jeong J, Kwon SK, Kim HY.Effect of bicarbonate supplementation on renal function and nutritional indices in predialysis advanced chronic kidney disease.Electrolyte Blood Press. 2014;12(2):80-87. doi:10.5049/EBP.2014.12.2.80Yang M, Zhong X, Yuan Y.Does baking soda function as a magic bullet for patients with cancer? A mini review.Integr Cancer Ther. 2020;19:1534735420922579. doi:10.1177/153473542092257Krustrup P, Ermidis G, Mohr M.Sodium bicarbonate intake improves high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in trained young men.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:25. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0087-6Ray SC, Baban B, Tucker MA, et al.Oral NaHCO3 activates a splenic anti-inflammatory pathway: evidence that cholinergic signals are transmitted via mesothelial cells.J Immunol. 2018;200(10):3568-3586. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1701605Al-Albri SA, Kearney T.Baking soda misuse as a home remedy: Case experience of the California Poison Control System.J Clin Pharm There. 2014 Feb;39(1):73-7. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12113Al-Abri SA, Olson KR.Baking soda can settle the stomach but upset the heart: Case files of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.J Med Toxicol. 2013 Sep; 9(3): 255–258. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0300-4Lastauskienė E, Zinkevičienė A, Girkontaitė I, et al.Formic acid and acetic acid induce a programmed cell death in pathogenicCandidaspecies.Curr Microbiol.2014;69:303–310. doi:10.1007/s00284-014-0585-9Letscher-Bru V, Obszynski CM, Samsoen M, et al.Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections.Mycopathologia.2013;175:153–158. doi:10.1007/s11046-012-9583-2
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jeong J, Kwon SK, Kim HY.Effect of bicarbonate supplementation on renal function and nutritional indices in predialysis advanced chronic kidney disease.Electrolyte Blood Press. 2014;12(2):80-87. doi:10.5049/EBP.2014.12.2.80Yang M, Zhong X, Yuan Y.Does baking soda function as a magic bullet for patients with cancer? A mini review.Integr Cancer Ther. 2020;19:1534735420922579. doi:10.1177/153473542092257Krustrup P, Ermidis G, Mohr M.Sodium bicarbonate intake improves high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in trained young men.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:25. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0087-6Ray SC, Baban B, Tucker MA, et al.Oral NaHCO3 activates a splenic anti-inflammatory pathway: evidence that cholinergic signals are transmitted via mesothelial cells.J Immunol. 2018;200(10):3568-3586. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1701605Al-Albri SA, Kearney T.Baking soda misuse as a home remedy: Case experience of the California Poison Control System.J Clin Pharm There. 2014 Feb;39(1):73-7. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12113Al-Abri SA, Olson KR.Baking soda can settle the stomach but upset the heart: Case files of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.J Med Toxicol. 2013 Sep; 9(3): 255–258. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0300-4Lastauskienė E, Zinkevičienė A, Girkontaitė I, et al.Formic acid and acetic acid induce a programmed cell death in pathogenicCandidaspecies.Curr Microbiol.2014;69:303–310. doi:10.1007/s00284-014-0585-9Letscher-Bru V, Obszynski CM, Samsoen M, et al.Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections.Mycopathologia.2013;175:153–158. doi:10.1007/s11046-012-9583-2
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jeong J, Kwon SK, Kim HY.Effect of bicarbonate supplementation on renal function and nutritional indices in predialysis advanced chronic kidney disease.Electrolyte Blood Press. 2014;12(2):80-87. doi:10.5049/EBP.2014.12.2.80Yang M, Zhong X, Yuan Y.Does baking soda function as a magic bullet for patients with cancer? A mini review.Integr Cancer Ther. 2020;19:1534735420922579. doi:10.1177/153473542092257Krustrup P, Ermidis G, Mohr M.Sodium bicarbonate intake improves high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in trained young men.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:25. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0087-6Ray SC, Baban B, Tucker MA, et al.Oral NaHCO3 activates a splenic anti-inflammatory pathway: evidence that cholinergic signals are transmitted via mesothelial cells.J Immunol. 2018;200(10):3568-3586. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1701605Al-Albri SA, Kearney T.Baking soda misuse as a home remedy: Case experience of the California Poison Control System.J Clin Pharm There. 2014 Feb;39(1):73-7. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12113Al-Abri SA, Olson KR.Baking soda can settle the stomach but upset the heart: Case files of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.J Med Toxicol. 2013 Sep; 9(3): 255–258. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0300-4Lastauskienė E, Zinkevičienė A, Girkontaitė I, et al.Formic acid and acetic acid induce a programmed cell death in pathogenicCandidaspecies.Curr Microbiol.2014;69:303–310. doi:10.1007/s00284-014-0585-9Letscher-Bru V, Obszynski CM, Samsoen M, et al.Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections.Mycopathologia.2013;175:153–158. doi:10.1007/s11046-012-9583-2
Jeong J, Kwon SK, Kim HY.Effect of bicarbonate supplementation on renal function and nutritional indices in predialysis advanced chronic kidney disease.Electrolyte Blood Press. 2014;12(2):80-87. doi:10.5049/EBP.2014.12.2.80
Yang M, Zhong X, Yuan Y.Does baking soda function as a magic bullet for patients with cancer? A mini review.Integr Cancer Ther. 2020;19:1534735420922579. doi:10.1177/153473542092257
Krustrup P, Ermidis G, Mohr M.Sodium bicarbonate intake improves high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in trained young men.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:25. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0087-6
Ray SC, Baban B, Tucker MA, et al.Oral NaHCO3 activates a splenic anti-inflammatory pathway: evidence that cholinergic signals are transmitted via mesothelial cells.J Immunol. 2018;200(10):3568-3586. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1701605
Al-Albri SA, Kearney T.Baking soda misuse as a home remedy: Case experience of the California Poison Control System.J Clin Pharm There. 2014 Feb;39(1):73-7. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12113
Al-Abri SA, Olson KR.Baking soda can settle the stomach but upset the heart: Case files of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.J Med Toxicol. 2013 Sep; 9(3): 255–258. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0300-4
Lastauskienė E, Zinkevičienė A, Girkontaitė I, et al.Formic acid and acetic acid induce a programmed cell death in pathogenicCandidaspecies.Curr Microbiol.2014;69:303–310. doi:10.1007/s00284-014-0585-9
Letscher-Bru V, Obszynski CM, Samsoen M, et al.Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections.Mycopathologia.2013;175:153–158. doi:10.1007/s11046-012-9583-2
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