25 February 2024 , 15:53
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Something lurking in your kitchen cupboard could hold huge health benefits.
We know how important it is in baking, and we've reported on its numerous uses in cleaning, but did you know that bicarbonate of soda can actually be good for your health, too? According to experts, the powder - which also known as baking soda and is mostly used as an ingredient when baking without yeast - can help ease the symptoms of heartburn, slow down a chronic disease, and may even have cancer-fighting properties.
You can buy bicarb from supermarkets for as little as 65p, but most of us have it in our cupboards already. So, what are the health benefits of the powder, and how can you make the most of them?
Bicarbonate of soda can help with several health conditions (E+)There are numerous studies into the benefits of bicarbonate of soda that have explored different components of the powder's power, and one study published by Clinical Science claimed that baking soda can help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition which causes people to lose kidney function. It can reportedly do this by neutralising the acid content in blood, Gloucestershire Live reports.
Interestingly, another study claimed that baking soda may help in cancer treatments. This is by far the most controversial health claim attached to the baking ingredient, but an entry in the Integrative Cancer Therapies journal titled "Does Baking Soda Function as a Magic Bullet for Patients With Cancer? A Mini Review" showed that baking soda may help chemotherapy medicines work more effectively by making the environment for tumours less acidic, helping the absorption of medicine.
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While more research needs to be done into the reliability of bicarb as a cancer-fighting tool, there is more evidence backing up its next health benefit - that it can ease the symptoms of heartburn. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid travelling upwards toward the throat, and bicarb can neutralise that acid, providing temporary relief from both heartburn and indigestion. To make use of this benefit, dissolve 5 grams (one teaspoon) of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly.
Baking soda - which is not the same as baking powder - can even be used as a mild abrasive in toothpaste to help remove plaque and whiten teeth, and has antibacterial properties that can help fight bacteria in the mouth. What's more, it can also be applied as a paste to the skin to help relieve itching and minor skin irritations.