4 Uses for baking soda outside the kitchen

03/22/2024 / By Olivia Cook

Story at a glance: (summary auto-generated by “Neo” LLM via Brighteon.AI)

– Baking soda is a popular leavening agent in baking, giving foods a light fluffy texture.
– It has non-food uses in the kitchen, such as eliminating odors and cleaning surfaces.
– Baking soda is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent that can kill bacteria associated with tooth decay and fungal pathogens responsible for skin and nail infections.
– It supports kidney health by slowing the rate of progression of renal failure and improving nutritional status among patients with chronic kidney disease.
– Baking soda can treat urinary tract infections by neutralizing acidic urine and addressing urinary symptoms.
– It can relieve heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid, but should be used cautiously due to its high sodium content and potential for causing metabolic alkalosis and heart problems with continued use.

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Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a popular leavening agent in baking. It gives foods like bread, cakes, cookies and muffins a light fluffy texture.

It also has non-food uses in the kitchen, including eliminating odors from garbage bins and refrigerators, removing pesticide residue from fruits and vegetables and cleaning kitchen surfaces. But did you know that this so-called “wonder powder” can also help you health-wise? Here are some of the health benefits of baking soda, according to science. (Related: Baking soda in the garden: 10 natural remedy uses for this household staple.)

Baking soda is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent

According to a study published in Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, baking soda can kill bacteria that inhabit the mouth – including Staphylococcus mutans associated with tooth decay. “Use of oral health care products with high concentrations of baking soda could conceivably result in decreased levels of cariogenic S. mutans in saliva and plaque,” it concluded.

Meanwhile, a study published in Mycopathologia demonstrated that sodium bicarbonate is effective against three fungal pathogens responsible for hair, skin and nail infections in humans. Baking soda targeted three in particular: The Aspergillus and Sutachbotrys molds that cause severe allergic reactions and Candida albicans that causes yeast infections.

Baking soda can support kidney health

A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology looked at 134 patients with chronic kidney disease and low bicarbonate levels (metabolic acidosis). The patients were divided into two groups, with one being given baking soda solution as a supplement while the other group was given none. Both groups of patients were observed after two years.

The participants supplemented with baking soda tolerated it well, as evidenced by their lesser likelihood of experiencing rapid progression of their kidney disease. The bicarbonate group also had fewer patients who developed end-stage renal disease compared to the control group. The researchers concluded that baking soda supplementation slows the rate of progression of renal failure and improves nutritional status among patients with chronic kidney disease.

Baking soda can treat urinary tract infections

A study published in the International Urogynecology Journal looked at the effects of baking soda on female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and acidic (pH lower than six) urine. Thirty-three female participants were given four grams of sodium bicarbonate twice daily. The participants were examined before and after taking the baking soda supplement.

The study authors found a significant decrease in daily urination frequency, excess urine production at night, urination urgency and urge incontinence among the participants. They concluded that baking soda’s neutralizing effects also address urinary symptoms. “This new treatment modality,” the authors noted, “is inexpensive, easy to use and has a low side-effect profile.”

Baking soda can relieve heartburn

Given baking soda’s alkali nature, it can also address heartburn – excess stomach acid flowing up to the esophagus. One quick way to address heartburn and neutralize stomach acid is by dissolving one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drinking the mixture slowly.

However, you should keep in mind that baking soda is high in sodium. If you are limiting your sodium intake, this may not be the best solution for your heartburn. Moreover, continued use of baking soda solution for heartburn may lead to metabolic alkalosis (a condition where the blood becomes overly alkaline) and heart problems.

To know more about baking soda’s medicinal uses, visit AlternativeMedicine.news.

Watch the following video to learn more about the health benefits of baking soda.

This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com.