11 health benefits of baking soda you ought to know

Baking soda is a common ingredient in many households these days. An indispensable element in baking, it has million other uses that you may find extremely beneficial in your daily lives. It can also be used as a remedy for many health conditions. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate has been used for a long time in baking bread and other items. It is one of the cheapest home remedies that you can lay your hands on. It is effective in treating a wide range of health problems – from the common cold to the life threatening cancer. Let’s see what the most important benefits of this substance are:

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Baking soda is a natural deodorant

Many of the deodorants and antiperspirants available in the market are laden with harsh chemicals like aluminum, paraben and triclosan that can damage the skin and even cause diseases like cancer. If you are looking for a safe and alternative way to prevent body odor, then try a mixture of baking soda and water. This paste is a very simple and effective deodorant that helps fight off body odor without having to expose your skin to various chemicals. You could also dust your underarms with some dry baking soda.

Baking soda for heartburn and indigestion

Digestive problems such as heartburn, indigestion etc are common after a spicy or heavy meal. Bicarbonate is used in some form in most over-the-counter antacids. It is an effective remedy that helps in relieving heartburn, soothing indigestion and neutralizing stomach acid. Baking soda prevents indigestion by breaking down food particles and fatty substances, thus promoting easier digestion. It also provides relief from heart burn by neutralizing the excess acid in your stomach. Baking soda is thus a more cost-effective way to get relief from occasional heartburn and indigestion. All you have to do is stir half a teaspoon of baking soda in half a cup of water and then drink it after meals. You can drink this mixture every two hours until you feel alright.

[Read more about home remedies for GERD]

Baking soda for kidney patients

Baking soda is an alkaline in nature and helps to keep your pH in check. Removing acid from the body is quite hard for people suffering from chronic kidney disease. Build up of acid leads to a condition known as metabolic acidosis. Studies indicate that when baking soda was given orally to patients with metabolic acidosis and advanced kidney disease, it reduced the rate of decline in kidney function by about two-thirds and it also reduced the need for dialysis. Scientists at the Royal London Hospital have found that baking soda can significantly inhibit the progress of chronic kidney disease. The bicarbonate ions neutralize the acids necessary for chronic inflammatory reactions, thus helping in the treatment of many chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Baking soda is also effective in neutralizing the cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects of toxic substances.

Baking soda in Cancer therapy

According to experts, buffering the micro-environment of tumors with an alkalizing compound can raise the pH of tumors, thus starving them and stopping their growth and proliferation. Studies indicate that boosting the levels of bicarbonate in the body can raise the pH of acidic tumors without affecting the pH of your blood and other healthy cells and tissues. Animal studies have found that baking soda helps make tumors more alkaline and slow down metastasis or spreading of cancer. Injecting baking soda directly in the site of the tumor is believed to be  better than oral administration as this method helps deliver the bicarbonate as close to the tumor as possible. It was also found that baking soda reduced the involvement of the lymph node and liver in spreading the cancer cells to other organs. It also inhibits the circulating tumor cells from colonizing other healthy organs.

Baking soda helps maintain good oral health

An imbalance of acid in the body can lead to a lot of oral health problems. Baking soda can help you maintain good oral health. It works by balancing the levels of acid in the body. Half a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a glass of water can make an effective mouth wash to eliminate bad breath or halitosis. Baking soda also shows antibacterial properties and has been found to destroy Streptococcus mutans bacteria that causes tooth decay. It also discourages the development of plaque and helps to prevent gum disease. It can promote faster healing of mouth ulcers and sores. Baking soda can remove stains from the teeth and hence is an effective tooth whitening agent. It has a mild abrasive action that helps in cleaning and polishing the teeth as well as in removing plaque. For this reason, it is used as an ingredient in many toothpastes and tooth whitening products. In order to remove stains and whiten your teeth, dampen your toothbrush, dip into a small dish of baking soda and then brush your teeth. Using baking soda regularly helps you maintain good oral health and avoid costly trips to the dentist.

[Read more about home remedies for bad breath]

Beauty benefits of Baking soda

Baking soda has properties that can help your skin stay healthy. A mixture of baking soda and honey help clean the skin and prevent the occurrence of acne. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of bicarbonate helps to reduce the symptoms of acne and pimples. It also helps balance the pH of the skin, which again helps prevent the occurrence of acne breakouts. Massaging your skin with bicarbonate help to exfoliate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and clean. The alkaline nature of baking soda offers a soothing affect on sunburned skin and helps in relieving the burning sensations and itching. Its anti-inflammatory properties offers a soothing effect on the skin, which helps in reducing itching, swelling and inflammation. If you wish to have brighter and even skin tone, then baking soda is the best solution.

Baking soda and hair benefits

The unique cleaning properties of baking soda makes it perfect for cleansing your hair and removing buildup from shampoos and conditioners. Washing your hair with baking soda will make it shinier and more manageable. It will help remove dirt and impurities, leaving your hair cleaner and full of voluminous. A baking soda hair wash eliminates excess product buildup and keeps your hair looking healthy and beautiful. It also absorbs excess oils and is beneficial in removing sebum. It clarifies the scalp and gets rid of dry flakes or dandruff. Since baking soda is alkaline in nature, it helps to balance the pH of the scalp and prevent scalp related problems.

Baking soda for treating gout

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the blood, urine, and tissues. Baking soda is considered to be one of the best home remedies for treating this condition. Drinking sodium bicarbonate water helps in balancing the pH and acid levels of your body. It increases the pH level of blood and body fluids, which in turn makes uric acid more soluble. By raising the pH of the blood, baking soda increases the ability of blood to hold uric acid and prevents its crystallization and accumulation in the joints.

Baking soda for Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are bacterial infections very common in men and women of all ages. Baking soda is found to be effective in reducing the intensity of a urinary tract infection. A mixture of baking soda in water helps in easing the symptoms of a UTI such as pain and burning sensation during urination by reducing the frequent urges to urinate. The alkaline properties of baking soda helps in decreasing the acidity of urine,  one of the factors responsible for the pain and burning during urination. Just add a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drink this mixture once or twice a day.

[Read more about home remedies for UTI]

Baking soda for preventing cold and flu

Baking soda is often used as a simple and effective home remedy for cold, flu and sore throats. It has antibacterial properties that could help get rid of the microbes in your body. According to studies, baking soda taken orally can soothe your mucous membranes and loosen thick mucus. Gargling with a solution of baking soda and salt water a few times a day can offer relief from a sore throat. This solution has a slightly alkaline pH, which helps calm the swollen tissues in your throat. By maintaining a proper acid-base balance in your body, baking soda offers a beneficial effect on the functioning of your immune system.

[Read more about natural food for common cold]

Baking soda for cleaning purposes

Another reason why you should stock up on baking soda is that it is a wonderful cleaning agent. Wiping your food containers with a sponge sprinkled with baking soda helps in removing tough stains and freshening the containers. It can be used to clean your refrigerator as it will absorb strong food odors and prevent the smell from lingering on. Baking soda solution in water is effective in removing the dirt and impurities from fruits and veggies. It can be used to clean kitchen counter tops, microwaves, stainless steel sinks, cooking range hoods and utensils. Adding a cup of baking soda to your laundry makes the clothes cleaner and brighter. Sprinkling some bicarbonate in to trash can can help remove the foul odor.

Baking soda  is a common house hold ingredient that has myriad uses. It is one of the safest, most inexpensive and versatile substances available. Although most people use baking soda for cooking and cleaning, they don’t know that it is a potent healer as well. You can use it not only for baking but also for numerous household and medicinal purposes.

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