Benefits of baking soda, a household ingredient and things you should know before using it

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Baking soda has many benefits. Baking soda is a white powder with alkaline properties. Many people have it at home to use as a chemical leavener in baked goods such as cakes, breads, and cookies, which helps to make baked goods soft and light. 

In addition, baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, has the ability to remove stains well. Therefore, it is popularly used as an ingredient in toothpaste. And various cleaning products. Baking soda can also be used to remove unpleasant odors. เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย This article has compiled stories about the benefits and ways to use baking soda that you may not have known.

7 Benefits of Baking Soda You May Not Know 

In addition to being used as a leavening agent in desserts. The benefits of baking soda that many people may not know are as follows:

1. Helps keep the mouth clean.

Baking soda has the property of reducing the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. Research has found that brushing your teeth with a toothpaste containing baking soda may help reduce plaque. Which is a microbial film formed by bacteria in the mouth. If plaque is present on the surface of the teeth for a long time, it can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Baking soda can also freshen your breath and whiten your teeth. Rinse your mouth with a solution of 1/2 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water, or mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup (230 ml) of warm water. Use this as a mouthwash instead.

2. Treat mouth ulcers

Canker sores  , also known as canker sores, are small sores that develop on the soft tissues of the mouth, including the gums, inside the lips, cheeks, or tongue. They are often painful and make eating or speaking difficult. 

Mouth sores can be caused by brushing too hard, using toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and infections. Mouth sores usually heal within one to two weeks. Rinsing with a saltwater solution or a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 1/2 cup of water once a day can help speed healing.

3. Eliminate unpleasant odors

Baking soda can eliminate unpleasant odors, whether it’s body odor or kitchen odors. Normally, our sweat is odorless, but when sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin, it causes body odor.  This is because the bacteria turn sweat into an acidic substance. Baking soda, which is alkaline, is a popular deodorant ingredient in deodorizing products because it helps balance the pH level that causes unpleasant odors.

Not only that, baking soda can also help eliminate food odors in the refrigerator. By putting a small amount of baking soda in a cup and placing it in the refrigerator, it will help eliminate unpleasant odors in the refrigerator.

4. Removes dirt well.

Another benefit of baking soda is that it is a cleaning agent. It can be used to wash vegetables and fruits to remove pesticide residues  and to remove stubborn stains, whether they are on clothing, kitchenware or sanitary ware.

Cleaning your kitchen appliances with baking soda can help remove grime and reduce the buildup of bacteria or mold. Mix a small amount of water with equal parts of baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar. Soak a washcloth or sponge in the solution and wipe away grime from various areas, such as the microwave, oven, coffee mugs, and kitchen tiles.

Baking soda can be used to remove stains in the bathroom and sanitary ware. Simply use a cloth or sponge soaked in water mixed with baking soda to wipe away the stains. Leave it for 15–20 minutes and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. It can also be used to remove stains on clothes by mixing 110 grams of baking soda with your regular laundry detergent. Baking soda, which has alkaline properties, reacts with the acid in the stains, helping the stains to come off easily and making the fabric whiter.

5. Reduce skin irritation

Baking soda has many benefits for the skin, including relieving itching, redness, and burning sensations from various causes, including:

  • Insect bites and stings, such as from bees and mosquitoes  , apply baking soda mixed with a little water to the affected area of ​​skin, leave for 10–20 minutes, then rinse off. 
  • For allergies caused by poisonous plants such as Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Poison Sumac, using baking soda may provide some initial relief from itching and irritation.
  • Eczema: Mixing baking soda into your bath can help reduce itching.
  • Relieves irritation from other diseases such as hemorrhoids and chickenpox .

6. Relieve knee pain from osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is caused by the deterioration of the joints due to various factors such as aging, injury, or abnormalities of the joint structure, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. Some people may have swelling and difficulty moving the joints.

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is used medically as a treatment for osteoarthritis. One study compared sodium bicarbonate injections with methylprednisolone injections to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms. It was found that sodium bicarbonate injections over a period of 3 months significantly improved pain in the patients.

7. Relieve side effects from cancer treatment.

A benefit of baking soda that many people may not have known before is that it helps alleviate side effects from radiation therapy  to treat cancer. Side effects from local treatments, such as radiation to the head and neck, can cause dry mouth, pain or sores in the mouth and throat, and swelling of the gums and throat.

The American Cancer Society recommends rinsing your mouth with a mixture of baking soda and salt every one to two hours. Using 1 teaspoon each of baking soda and salt in about a liter of warm water can help relieve mouth soreness.

Baking soda can also be helpful in relieving itchy skin that may be caused by cancer itself, chemotherapy, and certain medications. Mix baking soda, oatmeal, or bath oil into your bath, and use baking soda in place of deodorant to reduce irritation.

Precautions for using baking soda

In addition to the benefits of baking soda mentioned above, there are also things to know and side effects that may occur from using baking soda. It may cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe, depending on each person.

People who have problems with sodium levels in the body or have other chronic diseases should consult a doctor before using baking soda. People who are taking other medications should also consult a doctor before use. Because baking soda can affect the absorption of medications, especially blood thinners, and may cause side effects in people who take certain medications. Common side effects include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In addition, consuming too much baking soda or using it for a long time can have adverse effects on health and lead to the following diseases:

  • Eroding of tooth enamel (Enamel) if baking soda is mixed with acid to whiten teeth at home
  • Respiratory problems
  • Heart disease
  • Nerve and brain problems
  • Seizures and kidney failure due to baking soda being high in sodium. 
  • Electrolyte Imbalances
  • Hypokalemia ​

The benefits of baking soda go beyond being a household ingredient; it also has many health benefits. Generally, opened baking soda can be stored for 6 months to 1 year in a cool, dry place. Always check the expiration date before using. If you experience difficulty breathing or an abnormally fast heartbeat after using baking soda, see a doctor immediately.