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Can baking soda from your kitchen cupboard in a glass of water soothe your heartburn or acid reflux? Well, yes it can. But there are some important points you must know about using baking soda or any antacid as a heartburn remedy. What Happens In Heartburn and How To Take Baking Soda Some people suffer heartburn after eating too quickly or eating particular foods. Heartburn arises from stomach acid squirting up into your esophagus (the tube that leads down from your mouth to your stomach). This ‘acid reflux’ irritates the lining of the esophagus and creates pain. As the pain was felt in the chest, it was referred to as heartburn although it has nothing to do with the heart. It is important, however, to find the causes of the acid reflux and eliminate the symptoms of heartburn as they can often mask the more serious symptoms of heart disease. For the occasional, mild heartburn, sipping a little water can help dilute the acid and cool the burning sensation. Saliva produced in the mouth is naturally alkaline and so can neutralize the acid. Chewing gum is a good way to increase the saliva for swallowing. Baking soda for heartburn is such an effective remedy because it is alkaline and neutralizes the stomach acid in the esophagus. One teaspoon in a glass of water, sipped slowly until the discomfort subsides, should be adequate to bring relief. The great thing about baking soda, compared to over-the-counter antacids, is that it is cheap, readily available and you do not need a prescription. And you can use it for baking cookies! Why Not To Over-Use Baking Soda and Antacids However, if you take too much baking soda, or any antacid medication, then the stomach acid itself can be neutralized. The result is that the stomach cells produces more acid to compensate. You then end up taking more baking soda or antacid to neutralize the excess acid. Eventually you can exhaust the stomach cells and the level of stomach acid can decline. Great for your heartburn perhaps, but not so good for your digestion. The level of stomach acid can fall so much that it impairs digestion and food cannot be broken down properly. The result of this can be allergies and inflammation in other areas of the body. Additionally, if you suffer from high blood pressure, then you do not want the excess sodium, which is present in baking soda and many antacids. Over-the-counter antacids can also contain calcium and magnesium which can cause mineral imbalances in the body if used long-term. Aluminum salts are present in some antacids and aluminum has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, you should consult your doctor. It is also worth noting that some medical conditions or medicines can weaken the esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux. If you are taking anxiety medication, calcium channel blockers for hypertension, antihistamines, asthma medication, nitrates, or prescription pain killers, let your doctor know when heartburn becomes a side effect. Baking soda, as with any over-the-counter antacid, is not a long term solution for heartburn. Your first step should be to discover what causes your heartburn. You may find that the causes of acid reflux are the opposite to what you might expect. Your priority should be to find a cure for your heartburn. You may be surprised by what you find. But you need to know what the solutions are for your long term health.
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Author Natalie Beech is a health writer who writes informatively about a variety of health topics, including heartburn. If you want to find out the surprising facts for the relief of heartburn and acid reflux, and that can contribute to your longterm health, then go to The Heartburn Relief Website Get your own completely unique content version of this article.
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