• Baking soda existed in nature 4 million years ago — When salt lakes worldwide evaporated, they formed mineral deposits called trona. This is a rock that’s then processed into soda ash (sodium carbonate). Soda ash is a naturally occurring mineral that’s then processed into baking soda. So while this product can be produced synthetically, the majority of commercially sold brands still come from these natural mineral deposits. In the U.S., the largest trona deposits are found in Wyoming.¹

• It gained widespread attention during the 19th century — American bakers Austin Church and John Dwight founded the first baking soda factory in 1846, called Church & Co. When Church’s son joined the company, he changed the company name to Arm & Hammer, and also created the company’s iconic logo.²

• Baking soda’s power lies in its alkalinity — It measures around 8.3 on the pH scale, which is just above neutral. This means it effectively counteracts substances with low pH (acids), making it useful for addressing acid-related issues such as heartburn or even skin irritations.

When it’s mixed with an acid — like vinegar or lemon juice — this compound acts as a chemical leavener and produces carbon dioxide gas. This is the bubbly lift needed in recipes to make cakes and cookies rise, giving them a moist and fluffy texture.³

• Did you know that your body naturally produces baking soda, too? In the video above, Dr. Eric Berg explains how this works:⁴

“In the stomach, you have this super acidic mixture — a pH between 1 and 3 — and then it goes into the small intestine, where it should go up to maybe 6 or 7, sometimes even 7.5 … The neutralization of stomach acid is very important. If we don’t neutralize the stomach acid, we get severe irritation and inflammation in the small intestine. Sodium bicarbonate from the pancreas helps to neutralize this acid.

Bicarbonate isn’t only produced by the pancreas. The bile ducts — the small tubes connecting the liver and the gallbladder — also secrete bicarbonate.”

1. Provides digestive relief — Baking soda’s ability to neutralize excess stomach acid provides fast relief from indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. Do this by diluting a small amount — typically a 1/4 teaspoon in a cup of water — and sipping it whenever symptoms arise.

2. Protects against inflammation — Conditions like arthritis and gout are rooted in inflammation, and drinking a tonic made from baking soda and water will help lower inflammation. According to research, the antacid properties of baking soda help shift proinflammatory immune cells to anti-inflammatory ones.⁸ Read more about baking soda’s anti-inflammatory effects in this article, “Baking Soda — Inexpensive Treatment for Autoimmune Diseases.”

3. Promotes better oral health and hygiene — Thanks to its mild abrasiveness and alkalinity, baking soda helps remove surface stains on teeth, freshen breath, and reduce plaque buildup. Many toothpastes include baking soda to neutralize acids that erode enamel and create an inhospitable environment for harmful bacteria. Mouth rinses made with baking soda and water will also soothe canker sores, reduce acidity in the mouth, and support gum health.

To use it for teeth whitening, the Hearty Soul recommends mixing equal parts baking soda and water, then brushing it gently for two minutes, then rinsing thoroughly.⁹ For gargling, add half a teaspoon to four ounces of warm water and gargle as you would a mouthwash. This needs to be done in moderation.

4. Enhances your physical performance — When you exercise rigorously, your body produces lactic acid, which lowers the pH in muscle tissues and contributes to fatigue. Consuming baking soda before a workout may help buffer this lactic acid, delaying the onset of fatigue and improving endurance.

For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, a 2021 study recommends taking 300 milligrams of baking soda for every kilogram of body weight to reap its benefits. Ideally, take it between 60 and 180 minutes before your workout session.¹⁰

5. Reduces risk of chronic kidney disease — Some studies^11,12 support the use of baking soda in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In these cases, sodium bicarbonate supplementation helps neutralize acid levels in the blood, easing the burden on compromised kidneys. It’s believed that lowering blood acidity helps reduce damage to kidney tissue and delay disease advancement.

6. Eases urinary tract infections — Baking soda helps alkalize urine, offering relief for individuals prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs). When your urine is more alkaline, it creates an environment that helps minimize the growth of certain bacteria, helping reduce irritation and discomfort during infections.

7. Provides relief for bug bites, rashes, or sunburn — Make a paste using water and baking soda and apply it to the affected area to ease pain, itching, and redness. You can also add a cup or two to your lukewarm bathwater and soak in it. This remedy is also recommended to calm symptoms of psoriasis or eczema.

8. Works as a natural deodorant — Baking soda combats body odor because its alkaline nature decreases acidity in your underarms. When you sweat, the sweat itself doesn’t stink; however, when bacteria in your armpits break down this fluid into acidic waste, it causes bad odor to form. Pat baking soda directly on your underarms or by mixing it with a small amount of shea butter or coconut oil, then applying it on your underarms.

• Creating a more alkaline environment for tumors can help inhibit their growth — Cancer tumors are highly acidic, which helps them thrive and become resistant to treatments.¹³ Researchers investigated whether baking soda may be particularly beneficial in making the tumor’s environment alkaline and less conducive for growth.

• “Tumor alkalizing therapy” showed promising results — A 2024 animal study published in Frontiers in Oncology found that when mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma were given a baking soda solution, their lifespan was extended by 30 days more; to compare, mice that were given sodium chloride lived only 14 to 18 days longer. This showed that reducing the acidity around the tumors seemed to slow down the cancer’s progress.¹⁴

• They also tried this strategy with a human patient — The female patient was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and had a buildup of fluid in her abdomen (ascites). She also wasn’t responding to chemotherapy. After receiving baking soda solution directly into her abdomen, her cancer marker levels significantly dropped, and the ascites disappeared.

“The preclinical and clinical results obtained using sodium bicarbonate perfusion in the treatment of malignant ascites represent a small yet significant contribution to the evolving field of tumor alkalization as a cancer therapy. They unequivocally affirm the good prospects of this concept,” the researchers concluded.¹⁵

• Baking soda neutralizes and eliminates odors — Since odors are usually caused by acidic substances, baking soda’s alkalinity breaks them down at the molecular level. That’s why leaving a box of baking soda in the refrigerator or freezer is so effective at eliminating food smells. But you shouldn’t stop there, because there are many ways to use this product around the house:

• Adding it to your laundry brightens clothes and removes odors — When your washing machine is in the rinse cycle, add a cup of baking soda to remove mildew smell. It also softens water, enhancing the effectiveness of your detergent. You can also pre-treat stains using a baking soda and water paste. Apply it to the stained area, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, and then wash as usual. This works well for food, oil, and even sweat stains.

• Wash your fresh fruits and vegetables with it — If you frequently buy conventionally grown produce, baking soda will help reduce your exposure to pesticides on the surface of your foods. One study found that soaking fruits like apples in a solution of baking soda and water removed 80% to 96% of pesticides from the surface — more effectively than either water alone or commercial rinses.¹⁷

To make your own produce wash, fill a clean basin or sink with water and add about four teaspoons of baking soda. Soak your fruits and vegetables for at least five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

• Clean your jewelry and silverware — Baking soda even helps you restore shine to tarnished silver and dull jewelry. When combined with hot water and a piece of aluminum foil in a nonmetallic bowl, baking soda initiates an ion exchange that lifts tarnish off silver. Just soak the items for a few minutes and then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Use a soft toothbrush to help clean oils and dirt from surfaces, especially in hard-to-reach crevices. This method is especially appealing for those looking to avoid abrasive commercial silver polishes.

• Use it as a drain cleaner — Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by an equal amount of vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz and sit for 15 to 20 minutes before flushing with hot water. While it won’t replace a commercial-strength clog remover for serious blockages, it’s great for routine maintenance and keeping pipes smelling fresh.

• If you’re ingesting baking soda, you need to moderate its intake — The Hearty Soul recommends starting small, typically half a teaspoon dissolved in a glass of water.

• Baking soda’s abrasive nature can damage your enamel — If you’re brushing with it, always gargle with plain water after.

• It could dry out your skin — If you’re soaking in a baking soda bath or using a homemade baking soda paste on your skin, make sure to moisturize afterward with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer or coconut oil to prevent dryness or irritation.