Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda as it’s more commonly known, is a baking ingredient used to give pastries their fluffy and light textures. This is primarily because of its leavening properties, which means it reacts with acids, such as lemon juice and vinegar, by producing carbon dioxide, causing the dough to grow. While it’s an invaluable ingredient in cooking, it has many health benefits, like treating heartburn and soothing canker sores.
It’s also a supplement that athletes use to improve their exercise performances. Some studies show baking soda helps you maintain a consistently high level of performance, especially during high-intensity workout sessions or aerobic exercises. It may also significantly delay the onset of fatigue because of the high pH content, enabling you to perform much longer. In addition, it may alleviate sunburns and itchy skin and slow down kidney disease progression.
Research shows sodium bicarbonate to be an effective neutralizer of stomach acids, relieving digestion, gas, and bloating. Because of this, it likely can relieve gastritis symptoms. However, while it’s generally non-toxic and safe, taking it in large amounts can lead to side effects, such as muscle spasms, diarrhea, and constipation. So it’s recommended that you take it in moderation.
