Can baking soda cure stomach problems?

It is said among the people that if you feel stomach discomfort, you can drink some baking soda water or eat some baking soda biscuits. Now many mineral waters in supermarkets have baking soda water. So, can baking soda really cure stomach problems? In fact, we first need to understand the pathogenesis of stomach problems. Some stomach problems are caused by excessive stomach acid and heartburn. We know that only alkaline foods can neutralize excessive acid. Then baking soda is undoubtedly a highly alkaline food, so you can eat some appropriately.

Can baking soda cure heartburn? Is it reliable?

"Heartburn is a very common digestive tract disease. When eating improperly, the heart area will produce a burning sensation, which is the kind of hot and scorching feeling, and may be accompanied by a feeling of acid water rising up. Although baking soda can quickly neutralize stomach acid, it has long been removed from the list of clinical medications. Not only because it lasts for a short time, it will also produce a large amount of carbon dioxide, causing symptoms such as abdominal distension, hiccups, and loss of appetite. This symptom becomes more obvious as the dosage increases. Moreover, taking baking soda will reduce the concentration of stomach acid. If the dosage is not properly controlled, acid reflux symptoms will occur repeatedly. Not only will the condition not be cured, but it will also recur. In addition, baking soda is an absorbable antacid. After neutralizing stomach acid, the excess will be absorbed by the small intestine, affecting the body's acid-base balance. It is really not suitable to be used as an antacid to treat heartburn."

Many families like to add some baking soda to porridge.

If you observe carefully, you will find that in addition to using it as baking powder, many families like to add baking soda when cooking porridge, because baking soda can promote the starch to absorb water and gelatinize, and accelerate the dissolution and rupture of rice grains. This way the porridge is cooked faster and the cooked porridge is sticky, soft, and tastes good. This is especially true for farmers, who have passed it down from generation to generation, or for all kinds of porridge sold by roadside breakfast carts, baking soda is indispensable. So, what is the nutritional value of porridge with baking soda, which is popular among people?

According to experts, the starch in grains, the raw material of porridge, exists in the form of starch granules, which are covered by a protein-containing membrane. The addition of baking soda destroys this protein membrane, allowing the starch in it to fully dissolve, and the viscosity of the porridge naturally increases. However, at the same time, the vitamin B1, B2 and protein in the rice are destroyed.

Not only that, if you consume too much baking soda, the gastric mucosa will be damaged, causing the stomach wall to thin. Therefore, experts call for not adding baking soda when cooking porridge, even though it can improve the taste.

There are more questions about baking soda than this one. Is baking soda a good remedy for heartburn?

Regardless of whether its concept can be accurately defined, I believe everyone has experienced the feeling of heartburn. When you eat improperly, you will feel a burning sensation in the heart area, which is hot and scorching, and may be accompanied by a feeling of sour water rising up. Heartburn is a very common gastrointestinal disease. In my country, approximately 3% to 4% of the population has experienced heartburn symptoms.

Neutralization of acid and alkali is basic chemical knowledge. Baking soda is widely available, economical, and weakly alkaline, so it is normal for people to use it to treat heartburn.

However, although baking soda can quickly neutralize stomach acid, it has long been removed from the list of clinical medications. Not only is it short-lived, it also produces a large amount of carbon dioxide, causing symptoms such as abdominal distension, hiccups, and loss of appetite, which become more obvious as the dosage increases. Moreover, taking baking soda reduces the concentration of gastric acid. If the dosage is not properly controlled, acid reflux symptoms will occur repeatedly, and the condition will not only not be cured, but will recur. In addition, baking soda is an absorbable antacid, and after neutralizing gastric acid, the excess will be absorbed by the small intestine, affecting the body's acid-base balance.

It can be seen from this that baking soda has many adverse reactions and is not suitable as an antacid to treat heartburn.

The public needs to be vigilant about baking soda and consume it in moderation. Even when heartburn symptoms occur, it is best not to use baking soda. In particular, it is important to note that it should not be used frequently. You can use acid inhibitors instead.