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What Does Taking Bicarbonate of Soda Do to Your Body?

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5 min read

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is an alkaline salt that can neutralize acid in the body. This ability to alter pH levels is the reason it is used for a variety of health purposes, from providing relief for occasional heartburn to aiding in athletic endurance. However, its effects extend throughout the body and come with important considerations for health and safety.

Quick Summary

Taking bicarbonate of soda introduces an alkaline substance into the body, which helps neutralize excess acidity in the stomach and blood. It is used medically for conditions like metabolic acidosis and by athletes to buffer lactic acid. Benefits include temporary heartburn relief and improved performance in high-intensity exercise, but excessive or long-term use can lead to serious side effects and electrolyte imbalances.

Key Points

  • Neutralizes Stomach Acid: Bicarbonate of soda is a rapid-acting antacid that neutralizes stomach acid, providing temporary relief for heartburn and indigestion by producing water, salt, and carbon dioxide gas.

  • Enhances Athletic Performance: For high-intensity exercises, it acts as a buffer against muscle acidity (acidosis), delaying fatigue and improving endurance.

  • Manages Metabolic Acidosis in CKD: Under a doctor's supervision, it can be used to treat metabolic acidosis associated with chronic kidney disease, potentially slowing its progression.

  • High Sodium Content is a Risk: The product contains a high amount of sodium, which can lead to fluid retention, elevated blood pressure, and serious electrolyte imbalances if overused or used by vulnerable individuals.

  • Potential for Dangerous Side Effects: Overconsumption can lead to severe side effects such as metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, and, in rare instances, gastric rupture.

  • Requires Medical Supervision: Use for medical conditions or athletic enhancement should always be guided by a healthcare professional to ensure proper use and minimize risks.

In This Article

Bicarbonate of Soda's Role in Digestion and Acid Reflux

One of the most common applications of ingesting bicarbonate of soda is to relieve symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion. When stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, it causes the painful sensation known as heartburn. Sodium bicarbonate acts as a fast-acting antacid, neutralizing the excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

  • Neutralizes stomach acid: When sodium bicarbonate ($NaHCO_3$) reacts with hydrochloric acid ($HCl$) in the stomach, it produces a neutral salt (sodium chloride, $NaCl$), water ($H_2O$), and carbon dioxide gas ($CO_2$).
  • Provides temporary relief: This chemical reaction is why many people experience immediate, though temporary, relief from acid reflux and heartburn.
  • Causes belching and gas: The release of carbon dioxide gas during this reaction can lead to bloating, burping, and gas.

While effective for occasional use, it's not a long-term solution for chronic acid reflux. Overuse can cause a rebound effect, where the stomach compensates by producing even more acid, and the high sodium content can pose risks for certain individuals.

Impact on Athletic Performance

For decades, athletes have used bicarbonate of soda as an ergogenic aid, a substance that improves athletic performance. During high-intensity exercise, muscles produce large amounts of hydrogen ions ($H^+$), causing the muscle's pH to drop and creating an acidic environment known as acidosis. This drop in pH is what causes the 'burning' sensation and muscle fatigue during intense workouts.

Bicarbonate of soda works as an extracellular buffer, meaning it helps to clear these hydrogen ions from the muscle and into the bloodstream, where it is neutralized. This delays muscle fatigue, allowing athletes to maintain a high-intensity effort for a longer period.

  • Buffering capacity: Supplemental sodium bicarbonate increases the buffering capacity of the blood, facilitating the removal of hydrogen ions from muscles.
  • Improved endurance: This results in enhanced performance, particularly during high-intensity exercise lasting between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, such as sprinting, swimming, and rowing.
  • Reduced fatigue: By mitigating the negative effects of acidosis, it delays the onset of muscle fatigue and may help improve recovery.

Effects on Kidney Health

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can impair the kidneys' ability to remove acid from the body, leading to a condition called metabolic acidosis. Maintaining a normal acid-base balance is crucial, and sodium bicarbonate can be prescribed by healthcare professionals to help manage this condition.

  • Slows CKD progression: Some studies have shown that treating metabolic acidosis with oral sodium bicarbonate can help slow the decline of kidney function in patients with CKD.
  • Corrects pH imbalance: It works by increasing the levels of bicarbonate (a base) in the blood, which helps neutralize the excess acid that builds up.
  • Manages symptoms: Correcting metabolic acidosis can help improve nutritional status and reduce the risk of complications associated with CKD.

It is critical that bicarbonate therapy for kidney disease is supervised by a doctor, as improper dosing can lead to complications such as sodium overload, fluid retention, and electrolyte imbalances.

Potential Risks and Adverse Effects

While it has specific medical and athletic uses, taking bicarbonate of soda is not without risks, especially if overused or taken incorrectly. The high sodium content is a significant concern for many individuals.

Comparison of Benefits vs. Risks of Taking Bicarbonate of Soda

Feature Benefits Risks
Heartburn/Indigestion Provides rapid, temporary relief by neutralizing stomach acid. High sodium content, potential for gastric rupture if taken on a very full stomach, and can cause acid rebound.
Athletic Performance Improves muscular endurance during high-intensity, anaerobic exercise. Gastrointestinal distress (cramping, diarrhea, vomiting), water retention, and potential for high blood sodium (hypernatremia).
Kidney Health (CKD) Can slow the progression of kidney disease by correcting metabolic acidosis, under medical supervision. Risk of sodium overload, fluid retention, high blood pressure, and electrolyte imbalances without proper monitoring.
Body pH Balance Corrects low bicarbonate levels in the blood, primarily for medical conditions. Excessive intake can cause metabolic alkalosis (blood becomes too alkaline), leading to muscle twitching, confusion, and other serious issues.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Concerns

The most commonly reported side effects of oral bicarbonate of soda are related to the gastrointestinal system and are often dose-dependent. These include bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea. More severe side effects are linked to high dosages or long-term, unmonitored use and include:

  • Metabolic alkalosis: This occurs when blood pH levels become too alkaline, leading to symptoms such as muscle twitching, irritability, confusion, and seizures.
  • Electrolyte imbalances: The high sodium load can disrupt the balance of other electrolytes, particularly potassium and calcium, potentially leading to heart rhythm problems.
  • Fluid retention: Increased sodium intake can cause the body to retain water, leading to swelling (edema) and increased blood pressure, which is particularly risky for individuals with heart or kidney disease.
  • Stomach rupture: In rare but documented cases, consuming large quantities of baking soda, especially with a full stomach, has led to a rupture of the stomach due to the rapid release of carbon dioxide gas.

Conclusion: Safe Use and Medical Guidance

What does taking bicarbonate of soda do to your body? It acts as a powerful alkaline agent that can neutralize acid, offering therapeutic benefits for specific medical conditions like metabolic acidosis in kidney disease and providing a performance boost for certain high-intensity athletic activities. For occasional heartburn, it can offer temporary relief. However, its effectiveness and safety are highly dependent on proper use and individual health status. The high sodium content and potential to cause serious electrolyte imbalances and side effects mean it should not be considered a harmless home remedy for widespread use. Individuals with underlying health issues, including kidney or heart disease, or those on sodium-restricted diets should never use it without professional medical guidance. For most people seeking general wellness or digestive support, it is far safer to opt for less risky alternatives and consult a healthcare provider for any persistent health concerns. This ensures that any potential benefits are weighed against the significant risks and that its use is carefully monitored.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking a small amount of baking soda dissolved in water can provide temporary relief for occasional heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. However, it is not recommended for long-term use, especially for people on low-sodium diets or those with underlying health conditions, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

Yes, studies have shown that taking sodium bicarbonate can improve performance in high-intensity exercise by buffering the buildup of lactic acid and hydrogen ions in muscles, which can delay fatigue during strenuous activities.

For individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and metabolic acidosis, bicarbonate therapy, under strict medical supervision, can help correct pH imbalance and potentially slow the decline of kidney function. However, the high sodium content is a risk for CKD patients, and it should never be taken without a doctor's guidance.

Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea. In rare or severe cases of overuse, it can lead to metabolic alkalosis, electrolyte imbalances, and fluid retention.

For occasional heartburn relief, bicarbonate of soda can be dissolved in water. It's crucial to follow product instructions or consult a healthcare professional for guidance on appropriate use.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a single compound that needs an acid to react, and while it's safe for occasional heartburn relief, it contains a high sodium load. Baking powder is a mixture that includes baking soda and a dry acid, making it react when moistened. As a food additive, it is not meant to be ingested directly for medicinal purposes.

If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid taking bicarbonate of soda unless specifically instructed by your doctor. The high sodium content can exacerbate hypertension and cause fluid retention.

References

  1. 1
    Sodium Bicarbonate - StatPearls
  2. 2
    Sodium Bicarbonate Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term
  3. 3
    Sodium Bicarbonate for Kidney Disease: Benefits and More
  4. 4
    Baking Soda for Acid Reflux: Is it the Answer?
  5. 5
    Sodium Bicarbonate and Athletic Performance
  6. 6
    Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Sodium bicarbonate and exercise performance

Related Topics:

#kidney health #side effects #Athletic Performance #acid reflux #pH balance #Baking soda #sodium bicarbonate #alkalinity

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.