When not to drink baking soda water?: Understanding the serious health warnings

October 16, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2016 case study, an overdose of baking soda water can cause severe metabolic alkalosis and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias, highlighting the importance of knowing when not to drink baking soda water. While often seen as a harmless home remedy, its high sodium content and effect on the body's pH balance can be dangerous for many people and should be approached with extreme caution.

Quick Summary

Drinking baking soda water can pose significant health risks, especially for individuals with heart, kidney, or blood pressure issues. Risks include high sodium intake, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic alkalosis, with casual or long-term use being particularly dangerous. Safer alternatives exist for common ailments like indigestion and should be prioritized.

Key Points

Heart and Kidney Issues: Individuals with heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease should never drink baking soda water due to its extremely high sodium content.
High Sodium Content: One teaspoon of baking soda contains about 1,260 mg of sodium, which can dangerously increase blood pressure and lead to fluid retention.
Metabolic Alkalosis Risk: Excessive consumption can cause a dangerous condition called metabolic alkalosis, which disrupts the body's pH balance and can lead to severe health complications, including irregular heartbeats and seizures.
Overconsumption Dangers: Misuse or long-term use increases risks of stomach rupture, electrolyte imbalances, and severe gastrointestinal distress.
Contraindicated Groups: Pregnant or breastfeeding women, young children, and those on certain medications should avoid baking soda water.
Safer Alternatives: For indigestion relief, safer alternatives include over-the-counter antacids, dietary adjustments, and seeking professional medical advice.

Who Should Never Drink Baking Soda Water?

While some people use baking soda water as a short-term remedy for indigestion, it is far from a universally safe option. In fact, for certain individuals and medical conditions, consuming sodium bicarbonate can lead to severe, and even life-threatening, complications. The following groups should strictly avoid drinking baking soda water.

People with Heart Conditions or High Blood Pressure

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is extremely high in sodium. A single teaspoon contains about 1,260 mg of sodium, which is more than half the daily recommended limit for most people. For individuals with heart disease, heart failure, or high blood pressure (hypertension), this can be particularly dangerous. Excessive sodium intake leads to fluid retention, increasing blood volume and putting extra strain on the heart and kidneys. This can worsen existing conditions and potentially trigger cardiac arrhythmias or other serious cardiovascular events.

Individuals with Kidney Disease

Healthy kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body's acid-base (pH) balance and filtering out excess sodium. For those with compromised kidney function, this process is impaired. Consuming large amounts of baking soda can overwhelm the kidneys' ability to manage the sodium and alkaline load, potentially leading to metabolic alkalosis, where the body's pH becomes dangerously high. This condition is particularly risky for people with kidney issues. While sodium bicarbonate is used medically under careful supervision to treat metabolic acidosis in some kidney disease patients, this is a very different scenario from casual self-treatment.

Children, Pregnant, or Breastfeeding Women

Baking soda water is not recommended for children, especially those under five, due to a heightened risk of seizures and breathing difficulties. For pregnant or breastfeeding women, the high sodium content can cause fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances, which are particularly harmful during these periods. There is not enough safety data to support its use in these vulnerable populations, and medical advice should always be sought.

Those on a Low-Sodium Diet

For anyone medically advised to follow a low-sodium diet, consuming baking soda water is a direct contradiction of that guidance. The high sodium content can easily exceed daily limits and counteract the health benefits of a restricted-sodium diet.

People on Certain Medications

Sodium bicarbonate can interact with a variety of medications, altering their absorption and effectiveness. This is especially true for certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines), diuretics, and heart medications. By changing the pH of the stomach and body, baking soda can interfere with how these drugs are absorbed and metabolized, potentially rendering them less effective or increasing the risk of side effects.

The Dangers of Overconsumption and Long-Term Use

Even in otherwise healthy individuals, the overuse or long-term consumption of baking soda water is extremely risky. It is not a sustainable or safe long-term solution for frequent digestive issues.

Metabolic Alkalosis: This is a major risk, caused by an excessive intake of alkaline compounds. It raises the body's pH, which can lead to muscle twitching, confusion, seizures, and an irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
Electrolyte Imbalance: The high sodium can disrupt the balance of other electrolytes, like potassium. Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) can lead to heart rhythm problems.
Stomach Rupture: In rare but documented cases, ingesting large amounts of baking soda, especially on a full stomach, can cause a dangerous buildup of gas. The reaction with stomach acid releases carbon dioxide gas, and in extreme cases, this pressure can lead to gastric rupture.
Gastrointestinal Distress: More common side effects of overuse include nausea, bloating, cramps, and diarrhea.
Rebound Acid Production: After temporarily neutralizing stomach acid, the body can overcompensate and produce even more acid, worsening symptoms in the long run.

Baking Soda Water vs. Over-the-Counter Antacids


Feature	Baking Soda Water	OTC Antacids (e.g., Tums, Maalox)
Formulation	Homemade mixture; inconsistent dose and purity.	Formulated for specific, safe dosages.
Primary Ingredient	Sodium bicarbonate (high in sodium).	Calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide (often sodium-free).
Sodium Content	Very high; risks for heart and kidney patients.	Often low or sodium-free; safer for those with high blood pressure.
Metabolic Risk	High risk of metabolic alkalosis with misuse.	Low risk; designed for safe, temporary relief.
Dosage Control	Difficult to measure accurately; easy to overdose.	Pre-measured for safety; clear dosage instructions.
Long-Term Use	Not recommended; poses serious health risks.	Not for long-term use, but safer for occasional relief.
Effectiveness	Can offer temporary relief but with significant risk.	Clinically proven for temporary relief with lower risk.

Healthier Alternatives for Indigestion

For those seeking relief from indigestion or heartburn, numerous safer and more effective alternatives exist.

Over-the-Counter Antacids: These are professionally formulated and come in pre-measured doses, eliminating the risks associated with homemade remedies. Ingredients like calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide effectively neutralize stomach acid without the dangerously high sodium content of baking soda.
Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments: Many cases of indigestion can be managed by avoiding triggers such as acidic, spicy, or fatty foods. Eating smaller meals, eating slowly, and not lying down immediately after a meal can also help.
Herbal Teas: Some herbal teas, like chamomile or ginger tea, can help soothe an upset stomach naturally.
Consult a Healthcare Provider: Persistent or severe indigestion could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Speaking with a doctor or dietitian is the safest and most effective way to address the root cause and find a suitable long-term solution.

Conclusion: Prioritize Safety in Your Diet

While the internet is full of home remedy suggestions, the dangers of casually drinking baking soda water far outweigh its perceived benefits. Given its high sodium content and the risk of serious conditions like metabolic alkalosis, it is a practice that should be avoided by individuals with pre-existing heart, kidney, or blood pressure issues, as well as children and pregnant women. The risks are significant and include dangerous electrolyte imbalances, gastric rupture, and adverse drug interactions. For temporary relief of indigestion, safer, over-the-counter options are widely available. Ultimately, a balanced approach to your nutrition diet involves prioritizing proven, safe methods and consulting a healthcare professional when concerns arise, rather than relying on risky DIY remedies. For more detailed information on the risks, consult a trusted medical resource like Drugs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baking soda is exceptionally high in sodium, which causes the body to retain fluid. This increases blood volume and puts extra strain on the heart, potentially worsening existing heart disease or high blood pressure.

Yes, in rare cases, consuming a large amount of baking soda on a full stomach can cause a gastric rupture. When baking soda reacts with stomach acid, it releases a large volume of carbon dioxide gas, and in rare instances, the pressure can be excessive.

Metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the body's pH balance becomes too alkaline due to an excess of base. This can be caused by consuming too much baking soda and can lead to serious symptoms like muscle spasms, confusion, irregular heartbeats, and even death if left untreated.

For those with healthy kidneys, the risk is lower with occasional, small doses. However, in individuals with kidney disease, the impaired ability to regulate electrolytes and pH can be overwhelmed by the high sodium and alkaline load from baking soda, leading to metabolic alkalosis and worsening kidney function.

No, you should not. Baking soda can change the absorption of many medications, including certain antibiotics. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining baking soda with any medication to avoid potential interactions and reduced effectiveness.

Safer options for indigestion include over-the-counter antacids, making dietary changes to avoid triggers, drinking herbal teas like ginger or chamomile, and consulting a doctor for persistent symptoms.

No, it is not considered safe. The high sodium content can cause fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances, which are harmful during pregnancy. Pregnant women should always consult their doctor for safe heartburn relief.