Study Finds Drinking Baking Soda May Combat Inflammation

A recent study found that drinking baking soda every day may help reduce inflammation over time. Researchers suggest this could be a potentially cheap and simple method to help combat inflammation-related diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer.

Inflammation itself is not unhealthy. It’s a natural process that helps your body heal and recover after an injury, illness or infection. Unfortunately, many other stressors can increase inflammation in your body unnecessarily, such as lack of exercise, a poor diet, excess weight or exposure to pollution.

And if your body has ongoing inflammation for long periods, it can promote conditionssuch as diabetes, heart disease, depression and cancer. Reducing chronic inflammation in your body will also reduce your risk of developing many of these diseases. 

HOW DOES BAKING SODA REDUCE INFLAMMATION?

The explanation for this starts with your spleen. This lesser-known organ plays a vital role in your immune system. When it detects any potentially dangerous bacteria, viruses or other substances, the spleen will release white blood cells to help fight the invaders. And the function of certain white blood cells is to cause inflammation to support your body’s natural healing processes.

Drinking baking soda appears to set off a series of chemical and physiological reactions, starting in your digestive tract, which tell the spleen all is well and there is no need for an immune response.

Researchers found that after drinking water with baking soda for two weeks, the study participants had a decrease in white blood cells that cause inflammation. Perhaps even more importantly, the participants also had an increase in white blood cells that lower inflammation.

Another type of white blood cell, known as T cells, help regulate your immune system to prevent it from attacking your own body tissues. When T cells aren’t functioning properly, you can develop chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease or multiple sclerosis.

Drinking a small amount of baking soda every day seemed to help support healthy T cell activity and prevent any malfunctions. Researchers pointed out that this may be beneficial for a wide variety of diseases related to the improper functioning of your immune system, such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, as well as many other conditions. 

IS THERE A RECOMMENDED DAILY DOSE OF BAKING SODA?

The study participants drank 2 grams (half a teaspoon) of baking soda dissolved in 250 milliliters (one cup) of water each day. Although, the researchers clearly state that more research is needed to determine any formal guidelines or recommendations about dosages.

There is also a concern around consuming baking soda with food. The study found that drinking baking soda triggered the stomach to make more acid, which started the communication pathways to tell your spleen that all is well.

But, if you drink the baking soda when you eat a meal, the acidity in your stomach will naturally be less because of the volume of the food. It’s currently unknown how this would affect the communication to your spleen as well as digestion. Further research is needed to determine when the best time might be to consume baking soda either before or after food.

If you’re considering adding baking soda to your daily regime, speak to your doctor first to make sure it won’t affect any other health conditions you may have.