Baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) is used to treat diseases caused by excessive acidity in the body. The white powder ensures that the acids are neutralized and the pH of the blood increases. In the past, baking soda was also used to treat heartburn, but this therapeutic approach is now considered outdated. Before using sodium bicarbonate, you should always consider that side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort may occur as a result of taking it.
Deacidification of the body
Since baking soda is mildly alkaline, it is used to deacidify the body: Indeed, the powder can neutralize acids in the body and convert them into salts. Therefore, it is also used to treat diseases that are due to excess acidity in the body. Sodium bicarbonate can be taken either in the form of enteric-coated capsules, or it can be delivered directly into the veins through an infusion.
The use of pure sodium bicarbonate powder is not advisable, especially if a long-term intake is planned. Otherwise, damage to the acid mantle of the stomach may occur. If you plan to take it for a long period of time, you should always consult a doctor to talk about the exact dosage.
Sodium bicarbonate for heartburn
Sodium bicarbonate used to be used as a home remedy to treat heartburn, as it forms harmless reaction products with the acids present in the body. Today, however, this approach is considered outdated and especially the more frequent use of pure sodium bicarbonate probably also carries risks. Among other things, it can lead to increased gas formation in the stomach as well as an increase in gastric juice production after the effect of the powder has worn off.
Side effects of sodium bicarbonate
Various side effects may occur when taking baking soda. To avoid these in the future, it is sometimes already enough to reduce the dose. In the first place, there are gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting and belching. In the event of a severe overdose, burns may also occur.
If sodium bicarbonate is taken over a long period of time, this can cause the sodium level in the blood to rise and the calcium level to fall. If the calcium level is too low, muscle cramps – especially in the calves – may occur. Too high a sodium level can promote the development of high blood pressure.
In addition, overdose as well as long-term use of sodium bicarbonate increases the risk of kidney stones as well as disruption of the body’s water balance.
Not recommended during pregnancy
During pregnancy, soda should be taken only after consulting a doctor. This is because the powder not only affects the acid-base balance of the mother, but also that of the child.
Children under the age of twelve should also only take the powder after consulting a doctor. In addition, in their case, special attention should be paid to compliance with the dosage instructions.
Baking soda instead of baking powder
While sodium bicarbonate used to be used primarily as a leavening agent in baking, today baking powder is usually found on the list of ingredients. This represents a mixture of baking soda and an acidifying agent. At a temperature of over 50 degrees Celsius, baking soda reacts with the acidifying agent and begins to decompose. This produces, among other things, carbon dioxide, which ensures that the dough rises.
If you don’t have any baking powder on hand, baking soda can only be used instead of baking powder under certain circumstances. While baking powder always has a leavening effect, baking soda only has a leavening effect if the dough contains acidic ingredients. Consequently, the two substances cannot be substituted for each other on a one-to-one basis.