Do you know that baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is widely used in baking because it has leavening properties? This means baking soda causes dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide. Aside from cooking, baking soda serves a variety of uses. It has additional household uses and health benefits. Here are 6 health benefits of baking soda:
1. Treating heartburn
Heartburn can be a painful, burning sensation that arises in the upper region of your stomach. It can spread up into your throat. However, 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. As a mouthwash
Fight bad breath using baking soda as mouthwash. This would be a great addition to a good oral hygiene routine. Baking soda reaches corners of your mouth and crevices of your teeth, gums, and tongue, which may be missed during brushing. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water, and then swish as usual.
3. As a teeth whitener
Baking soda is a popular home remedy for whitening teeth. Research shows that the toothpaste containing baking soda is better for whitening teeth and removing plaque than one without baking soda. It has been found that 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.
4.Deodorant
It is surprising that human sweat is odorless. It only gains an odour after acted by bacteria in your armpits. These bacteria convert your sweat into acidic waste products that give sweat its odour. Baking soda may eliminate the smell of sweat by making the odours less acidic. Try patting baking soda onto your armpits, and you would feel the impact on how you smell.
5. Relieves itchy skin and burns
A baking soda bath is usually recommended to soothe itchy skin. These baths are a commonly used remedy for itching from bug bites and bee stings. Moreso, baking soda helps soothe itching from sunburns. Some people claim it can be more effective when combined with other ingredients like cornstarch and oatmeal. For the baking soda bath, add 1–2 cups of baking soda to a lukewarm bath. Make sure the affected area is soaked thoroughly. For more specific areas, you can create a baking soda paste by adding a bit of water. Apply a thick layer of paste to the affected area for healing.
6. Clean fruits and vegetables
While many people worry about pesticides on foods, peeling fruit is the best way to remove these pesticides. This also means you don’t get the important nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, found in the skins of many fruits. 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.