5 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Heartburn

As per the American College of Gastroenterology, nearly 60 million Americans go through heartburn per month. It is a common stomach disorder, which is caused by the stomach acid that irritates the esophagus. It creates a burning sensation in the area just behind the breastbone. It is not dangerous if it occurs to you occasionally, but it definitely becomes a serious issue, if it becomes a regular affair.

Do not worry if you are a victim of heartburn. There is one wonder remedy called baking soda, which you can use to get rid of heartburn easily.

What Makes Baking Soda Effective to Treat Heartburn

Apart from being used to make your cakes and pastries fluffier, the use of baking soda can help you enjoy these foods without a burning sensation in the chest area. Want to know about the properties of baking soda, which makes it effective to treat heartburn? Let’s read on!

Neutralizes the Stomach Acid: The alkaline nature of baking soda neutralizes the stomach acid that causes heartburn. So, its use can treat heartburn effectively.

Works as an Antacid: The sodium bicarbonate in the baking soda works as an antacid thus prevents the stomach acid to go back into the esophagus. This process in turn checks the burning sensation in the chest and throat area.

Balances the pH level: Its use balances the pH level in the bloodstream. This in turn reduces the acid content in the stomach, which causes heartburn.

How to Use Baking Soda For Heartburn

You can use baking soda all alone or include it with some other ingredients like honey, lemon juice, etc., to treat heartburn. Let’s know about some of these remedies!

1. Baking Soda and Water

It is one of the easiest remedy that you can prepare at home and use it to get relief from heartburn almost immediately.

Required Ingredients:

• Baking Soda – 1 tsp
• Water – 1 glass

Process:

1. Take 1 glass of water and add 1 tsp of baking soda to it.
2. Stir the baking soda well in the water and drink it to get rid of heartburn.

Note: Do not use this remedy more than 3 times a day. Also do not use this remedy for more than 1 week at a stretch as the high salt content of baking soda may cause side effects like nausea and vomiting.

2. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Lemon juice, which is a common kitchen ingredient, can be used along with baking soda to treat heartburn. Lemon juice, when taken, leaves an alkaline residue in the stomach, which may help to treat heartburn.

Required Ingredients:

• Baking Soda – ½ tsp
• Lemon Juice – few drops
• Warm Water – ½ cup

Process:

1. Take half cup of water and add ½ tsp of baking soda and few drops of lemon juice to it.
2. Mix all the ingredients well and drink it to get relief from heartburn.

3. Baking Soda and Cream of Tartar

The use of cream of tartar neutralizes the stomach acid, thus treats heartburn successfully. It becomes more useful when it is combined with baking soda.

Required Things:

• Baking Soda – ½ tsp
• Cream of Tartar – ½ tsp
• Water – 1 glass

Process:

1. Take a glass of warm water and add ½ tsp each of baking soda and cream of tartar to it.
2. Stir all the ingredients well and drink it.
3. Take this drink when you get heartburn.

4. Baking Soda and Ginger                                                                                                       

You must have known the cold-relieving properties of baking soda. But have you ever thought that ginger can treat heartburn too? Ginger, which is known as a digestive aid since years can treat heartburn issues effectively. It contains two active components, named as gingerol and shogaol. These components treat heartburn issues by increasing the bile and gastric juices in the stomach. Its use offers a soothing effect to the irritated stomach and promotes digestion.

Required Things:

• Baking Soda – ½ tsp
• Grated Ginger – ½ tsp
• Warm Water – 1 cup

Process

1. Take 1 cups of warm water and add the baking soda and grated ginger to it.
2. Stir the ingredients well and drink it.
3. Take this remedy to ease the heartburn.

5. Baking Soda and Cold Milk

Cold milk treats heartburn by relaxing the valve between the stomach and esophagus.

Required Things:

• Baking Soda – 1 tsp
• Cold Milk – 1 glass

Process:

1. Mix 1 tsp of baking soda in 1 glass of cold milk.
2. Stir it well and drink to get a quick relief from heartburn.
3. You can use this remedy before bedtime if you are facing this heartburn problem frequently.

Who Should Not Use Baking Soda Remedy for Heartburn

Baking soda offers an effective treatment to heartburn but at the same time it cannot always be used as a heartburn remedy as it has some restrictions and can cause side effects.

• As it contains a form of sodium in it, avoid using baking soda remedy if you are on a low sodium diet.
• Pregnant as well as breastfeeding women should not use baking soda remedy for heartburn.
• Baking soda remedy is also not recommended for children below 6 years.
• Do not use baking soda remedy continuously if heartburn is a regular issue for you because baking soda is high in salt and may cause side effects like nausea and vomiting if used excessively.

Additional Tips

Heartburn can be treated as well as prevented successfully if we take care of certain things in our day-to-day life. Let’s know about these points that are mentioned below.

• There are certain foods like citrus fruits and juices, onions, tomatoes, fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, etc., may cause acidity in the stomach. The consumption of these foods may lead to heartburn. So you need to observe closely to know about that particular food which is causing heartburn.
• Chew your food properly and then eat it. Eating the food quickly without chewing creates digestion problem, which leads to heartburn.
• Drink a lot of water, which will help to digest your food properly and help you to prevent heartburn.
• Smoking is one of the main causes of heartburn. It weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, which checks the stomach acid to go back to the esophagus. So quit smoking as soon as possible to get rid of heartburn.
• Avoid drinking alcohol as like smoking it also causes heartburn.
• Wear loose clothes as tight fitting clothes may back up the stomach acid to the esophagus and cause heartburn.
• Always try to keep yourself away from stress, which is also another cause of heartburn. Keep yourself calm and relaxed by doing meditation, yoga, deep breathing to keep stress at bay.

When to Consult a Doctor

Heartburn does not need any medical intervention till it is mild and occurring to you occasionally. But when you start experiencing it regularly with discomfort and chest pain, then it is time to consult a doctor. Otherwise, it may turn chronic and lead to some other serious illness.

Now, I am sure that next time when you get heartburn, you will definitely treat it with the help of these amazing baking soda remedies. Also do not forget to share your experience!