Baking Soda Health Benefits

Chemically known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a leavening agent. It produces carbon dioxide when mixed with an acidic agent, with moisture, thereby making it an important ingredient widely used in confectionaries. Apart from that, baking soda also has numerous other advantages. It is also widely used in homes are a general purpose disinfectant or cleaning agent. However, there is more to baking soda that just that.

Baking soda is also known to be beneficial for overall health and well-being, particularly in relation to skin and hair care. While cosmetic uses require the application of baking soda, the health benefits of drinking baking soda are related to the digestive system and problems of the gut. Some of the baking soda health benefits have been briefly described in the following paragraphs. However, before we outline those, it is also important to look that at caution that needs to be taken when using baking soda to prevent adverse reactions. First, avoid drinking a baking soda stomach solution after a filling and wholesome meal, as this might lead to regurgitation of food and inflammation of lining of digestive tract. Second, do not give baking soda and related remedial preparations to children below 5 years of age. Third, always check your skin sensitivity to baking soda before using it for topical application. Fourth, do not replace baking soda with baking powder, as baking soda is partly baking soda and rest of the constituents include aluminum (among others), which is harmful for the body. Lastly, avoid the contact of baking soda with the eyes and nose.

Baking Soda Nutrition

Here's an interesting baking soda nutrition fact: Baking soda does not contain any carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins. In fact, baking soda nutrition may be called an oxymoron term, as it is contains zero nutrients. As stated earlier, baking soda is essentially sodium bicarbonate, which means that the only nutrient (so to speak) that it contains is sodium.

Baking Soda For Skin, Hair, Heartburn, Teeth & Digestion

Skin Problems

Baking soda is used to treat and manage a variety of skin problems. The use of baking soda for acne and other such skin problems may be attributed to its chemical composition, or in other words, the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of baking soda. Baking soda helps to prevent acne and lighten acne scars. Baking soda may also be used for skin rashes for the same reasons. Baking soda is has no other chemical as such, and it is usually gentle on the skin. It is for this reason that the use of baking soda for skin irritations has proven effective. Baking soda for psoriasis is an effective remedy to relieve the condition. You can drink two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and one table of baking soda in a glass of hot warm water, and consume it thrice a day to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. Baking soda for eczema is also a beneficial remedy to cure the disease. This remedy scores over steroid treatment and over-the-counter medication. Baking soda can also be used on insect bites. You can apply a paste of baking soda in water as a salve on the affected area, thereby relieving itching and inflammation. Baking soda may also be used to remove skin tanning. You can prepare a paste of baking powder, honey and turmeric powder to treat a skin tan. Baking soda can also be used as a deodorant. It may be sprinkled on armpits after a bath, which would kill the bacteria that cause body odor. Moreover, baking soda solution prepared by mixing three portions of baking soda and one part of water also works as a natural hand sanitizer. Apart from topical applications, another one of the health benefits of drinking baking soda is preventing all kinds of skin infections. This is attributed to the fact that baking soda serves to kill harmful bacteria and also removes excess oil from your skin. This, in turn, prevents a variety of skin infections. However, while baking soda may relieve a variety of skin problems, the usage of baking soda for skin cancer has not shown the desired results.

Hair

Baking soda is also extremely beneficial when dealing with everyday hair care problems. Again, it is the antibacterial and cleansing properties of baking soda that make it a good remedy for hair problems. You can add a pinch of baking soda to your shampoo or oil and apply on your scalp to remove the build-up of shampoo and sprays and improve manageability of hair. When it comes to baking soda for hair loss, drinking baking soda is a good remedy to facilitate regrowth. Hair loss is caused by a variety of reasons including acid build-up in follicles. You can consume juices or water with a pinch of baking soda, twice a day, which helps remove the acidic content, thereby preventing hair loss. The use of baking soda for dandruff is also highly recommended. Dandruff is caused by irritant on the scalp, dryness, and infections, all of which can be treated with baking soda. As mentioned earlier, simply add some baking soda to your shampoo or oil to treat scalp related conditions. Since baking soda promotes hair growth, by improving the scalp conditions and nourishing the strands, it is proven to be very useful in hair care.

Heartburn

As mentioned earlier, baking soda is also very useful when it comes to problems related with the gut. Heartburn is essentially the regurgitation of the stomach's acids into the esophagus. Heartburn or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is often a common problem during pregnancy. However, pregnancy is also the one time when it best to avoid medication. Hence, the use of baking soda for heartburn in pregnancy is often recommended. Baking soda is a potent antacid on account of its rich sodium content. It also leads to water retention, which, in turn, prevents regurgitation of ingested food and stomach acids.

Teeth

The cosmetic uses of baking soda are many. One such benefit is the use of baking soda for teeth whitening. Baking soda is abrasive in nature and hence it acts as a scrub; in this sense, it works as a mechanical cleanser, scrubbing the insides of your mouth, gums, and teeth. Baking soda also contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and can be used as a mouthwash for better oral and dental health. Since it neutralizes acid production in the mouth it also prevents oral and gum infections. Some people use homemade toothpastes made from baking soda. Mix baking soda with a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution; this paste serves as an alternative to other commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. As such, baking soda strengthen your teeth and helps promote overall oral health.

Digestive Problems

As mentioned earlier, baking soda helps relieve a variety of digestive disorders. Drinking a solution of baking soda for digestion is highly recommended for people with heartburn and indigestion. However, as stated above, avoid drinking baking soda after a full meal as it will lead to regurgitation. So how does baking soda help with digestive problems? Baking soda promotes the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes by creating an acidic medium in the stomach, which, in turn, enhances digestion and metabolism. You can also drink baking soda for a stomachache; this remedy is particularly beneficial if the stomachache is from indigestion. As such, the use of baking soda for an upset stomach is also common. Some regard it as the perfect remedy to treat and prevent the condition. However, it is better to simply hydrate and eat simple foods and consult a doctor if you have an upset stomach. Baking soda may also be an effective remedy to relieve kidney and gall stones. It reduces the pH of the urine, thereby reducing the probability of stone formation.

Submitted on January 16, 2014