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.
Michelle Arnold / EyeEm / Getty Images
And it may help reduce autoimmune activity.
So it could be useful against diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) andlupus.
But you’ve got the option to 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Side Effects
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.
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.
Get immediate medical attention.
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 Questions
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.
A mini review.Integr Cancer Ther.
