11 surprising benefits of baking soda

1. Treat Heartburn

Heartburn is also known as acid reflux. It is a painful, burning sensation that rises in the upper region of your stomach and can spread up into your throat

A few common causes of reflux are overeating, stress and eating greasy or spicy foods.

Baking soda can help treat heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly

2. Mouthwash

Mouthwash is a great addition to a good oral hygiene routine. It reaches corners of your mouth and crevices of your teeth, gums and tongue that may be missed during brushing.

Many use baking soda as a replacement for mouthwash. It can help freshen your breath and provides antibacterial and antimicrobial properties 

The recipe for baking soda mouthwash is simple. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water, and then swish as usual.

3. Soothe Canker Sores

Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can form inside your mouth. Unlike cold sores, canker sores do not form on the lips and aren’t contagious.

Research has found that baking soda mouthwash is great for soothing pain caused by canker sores

You can make baking soda mouthwash Rinse your mouth with this mixture once a day until the canker sore heals.

4. Whiten Your Teeth

Baking soda is a popular home remedy for whitening teeth.

Many studies have found that toothpaste containing baking soda is better for whitening teeth and removing plaque than toothpaste without baking soda. 

This is likely because baking soda has mild abrasive properties that let it break the bonds of molecules that stain the teeth. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help fight harmful bacteria

5. May Improve Exercise Performance

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a popular supplement among athletes.

Some studies show that baking soda can help you perform at your peak for longer, especially during anaerobic exercises like high-intensity training and sprinting 

During high-intensity exercise, your muscle cells start producing lactic acid, which is responsible for the burning feeling you get during exercise. Lactic acid also lowers the pH inside your cells, which may cause your muscles to tire.

Baking soda has a high pH, which may help delay fatigue, allowing you to exercise at your peak for longer 

For example, one study found that people who took baking soda exercised for an average of minutes longer than people who didn’t take baking soda

6.  May Treat Calluses

Calluses are hard, rough patches of skin that are caused by longtime friction or pressure. Activities that typically cause calluses are frequent walking, gardening or sports.

While calluses aren’t necessarily serious, they can cause pain and discomfort when applying pressure.

Interestingly, studies have found that soaking calluses in a baking soda bath may help soften them, remove any scales and reduce discomfort.

7. May Slow the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

People with chronic kidney disease  Chronic Kidney Disease slowly lose function of their kidneys.

The kidneys are incredibly important because they help remove excess waste and water from the blood. At the same time, they help balance important minerals like potassium, sodium and calcium 

Research shows that baking soda may help slow the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.

8. May Improve Certain Cancer Treatments

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide 

It is often treated with chemotherapy, which works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Normally, cancer cells grow and divide at a rapid rate

Some research shows that baking soda could help chemotherapy medicines work more effectively. Baking soda may make the environment for tumors less acidic, which benefits chemotherapy treatments.

9. May Whiten Your Laundry

Baking soda is an inexpensive way to whiten and clean your laundry.

Baking soda is an alkali — a soluble salt that can help remove dirt and stains. When dissolved in water, an alkali such as baking soda can interact with acids from stains and help remove them 

Add half a cup of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, which means you may need less detergent than usual

10. Remove Stubborn Carpet Stains

A combination of baking soda and vinegar can remove the most stubborn carpet stains.

When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, they create a compound called carbonic acid, which is a common ingredient in cleaning products. This reaction creates a lot of fizzing, which may help break down tough stains 

Here’s how you can eliminate stubborn carpet stains with just baking soda and vinegar:

First, cover the carpet stain with a thin layer of baking soda.

Next, fill an empty spray bottle with a  mixture of vinegar and water and spray over the stained area.

Wait up to an hour or until the surface becomes dry.

Scrub the baking soda loose with a brush and vacuum the residue.

11. Clean Fruits and Veggies

Peeling fruit is the best way to remove pesticides. However, it also means you don’t get the important nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins and minerals, found in the skins of many fruits.

Interestingly, recent research has found that soaking fruits and veggies in a baking soda wash is the most effective way to remove pesticides without peeling them. see more