Baking Soda Uses: Health Facts First, Then Everyday Cleaning Benefits

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is one of the most versatile household items available. It has been used for decades in cooking, personal care, home remedies, and cleaning. While many people associate baking soda with deodorizing refrigerators or scrubbing sinks, it also has recognized medical and health-related applications—when used correctly.

This article focuses first on health-related uses, including the common question: Can drinking baking soda alkalize your body? We’ll then cover everyday cleaning uses afterward.

Important note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using baking soda for health purposes.

Health-Related Uses of Baking Soda

1. Digestive Relief & Occasional Heartburn

Baking soda is sometimes used as an antacid because it can temporarily neutralize stomach acid. When mixed with water, sodium bicarbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which may reduce occasional indigestion or heartburn.

Important safety considerations:

• This should only be used short-term

• Excessive use can cause electrolyte imbalances

• Not recommended for people with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or on sodium-restricted diets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes sodium bicarbonate as an antacid ingredient when used as directed.

2. Can Drinking Baking Soda Alkalize Your Body?

This is a common claim—but it’s important to separate myth from science.

• The human body already tightly regulates blood pH through the lungs and kidneys

• Drinking baking soda does not permanently “alkalize” your body

• While baking soda can neutralize stomach acid temporarily, it does not change systemic body pH

According to medical research, attempting to alkalize the body through baking soda consumption is unnecessary and potentially risky if done frequently or in large amounts.

Potential risks include:

• Metabolic alkalosis

• Sodium overload

• Increased blood pressure

• Kidney strain

Bottom line: Drinking baking soda should not be used as a routine health or alkalizing practice.

3. Oral Health & Mouth Rinses

Baking soda is widely used in toothpaste formulations because it:

• Helps neutralize acids in the mouth

• May reduce odor-causing bacteria

• Gently polishes surface stains

A baking soda and water rinse is sometimes used short-term to freshen breath, but it should not replace regular dental care or fluoride toothpaste.

4. Skin Relief for Itching & Irritation

When used externally, baking soda may help soothe:

• Mild insect bites

• Poison ivy irritation

• Minor skin itching

It is commonly added to baths or used as a diluted paste. However, frequent use on skin is not recommended, as it may disrupt the skin’s natural pH barrier.

5. Athletic Performance (Medical Supervision Only)

In controlled settings, sodium bicarbonate has been studied for short-term athletic performance, particularly in high-intensity sports, due to its buffering effect on lactic acid.

This practice is not recommended without professional supervision due to potential gastrointestinal distress and electrolyte imbalance.

Everyday Cleaning & Household Uses (Brief Overview)

Once health considerations are understood, baking soda remains extremely useful for non-consumable purposes:

• Natural deodorizer for refrigerators and shoes

• Gentle abrasive for sinks, tubs, and cookware

• Odor neutralizer for carpets and upholstery

• Laundry booster to help remove smells

• Safe cleaner for food-contact surfaces when rinsed properly

These uses are generally safe and well-established.

Key Takeaways

• Baking soda has legitimate medical uses, but only when used properly

• Drinking baking soda to “alkalize the body” is not supported by science

• Occasional use for indigestion may be acceptable only as directed

• External uses (oral care, skin relief) are safer than internal consumption

• Cleaning uses remain one of baking soda’s safest and most effective applications

Trusted Sources & Direct Links

• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) – Antacid ingredients
  https://www.fda.gov

• MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) – Sodium bicarbonate overview
  https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682001.html

• Cleveland Clinic – Baking soda health safety
  https://health.clevelandclinic.org

• Harvard Health Publishing – Acid-base balance myths
  https://www.health.harvard.edu

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Electrolyte balance and alkalosis
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Baking Soda Uses Explained: Health Benefits, Safety Facts, and Everyday Cleaning Uses