Is It Safe To Drink Baking Soda?

If you don't have a digestive aid like Alka-Seltzer or Tums on hand and you need some immediate relief, you might think of trying the baking soda hack. You may have heard some outlets like Medical News Today claim that drinking baking soda can help adults with indigestion, but is it right for you to try? Just because it is okay to drink a small amount of baking soda does not mean it is okay for everyone or regular use. In fact, there are some major stipulations on who can drink baking soda at all.

For those who can consume the substance, ½ a teaspoon of baking soda can be mixed into an equal amount of water for those who can use this option to help stop indigestion or acid reflux, but this should not be used as a digestive aid solution for more than two weeks. It's easy to drink too much baking soda by accident, and if you're not careful, you could end up with some potentially disastrous results. Children and pregnant women should never use dissolved baking soda in water because of the harmful effects. According to Healthline, those who drink a lot of alcohol might also want to reconsider this option due to an increased risk of negative side effects.

Drinking baking soda can cause serious side effects if you are not careful. According to Healthline, those who drink it on a full stomach risk a rupture in their gastrointestinal system. Drinking it too quickly could pose an additional risk. Too much baking soda can poison some bodily systems and spur on things like diarrhea, vomiting, and gas which can cause kidney failure, dehydration, or even seizures (via Medical News Today).

Healthline goes on to say that drinking too much baking soda — more than 3½ teaspoons or 1½ teaspoons for those over 60 — can also lead to a heart attack. There are plenty of other reactions people can experience due to the medications they take each day.

You should always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking anything new. The best solution for most people is to keep Tums or Alka-Seltzer on hand or take a quick trip to the drug store for relief. Although drinking baking soda is possible, it must be done with caution and attention.