Baking Soda: Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects, and More
Diet & NutritionFood & Ingredients

What Is Baking Soda? Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects, and More

What Is Baking Soda? Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects, and More
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Updated on October 13, 2026
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You probably keep a box of baking soda in the back of your fridge and break it out when you need to make a batch of cookies for your family. You may have taken it when your stomach hurt or used it to do laundry. You may have even combined baking soda and vinegar in a school science project growing up. (Spoiler: It “explodes” in fizz.) Baking soda is a staple in practically every household, but its many uses may surprise you. Learn more about its uses, including potential health benefits and risks, as well as some interesting facts about this versatile substance.

Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline white powder often found in modern kitchens. Its popularity is largely credited to Arm & Hammer — a brand created in 1846 by brothers-in-law Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight. It’s considered a versatile product for good reason. Here are just some of its many uses.

As a Produce Wash Forget the pricey, fancy produce washes on the market. Soaking apples in baking soda and water for 12 to 15 minutes removes 80 to 96 percent of pesticides, better than tap water. Baking soda helps degrade certain pesticides so that they can be washed away.

As a Natural Cleaner Baking soda and water are an effective, nonabrasive cleaner. One use: to wipe away old food residue from the inside of a refrigerator. You can also sprinkle baking soda down the drain with hot water to freshen up your pipes, clean your tubs, sinks, and shower curtain, and buff out scuff marks from floors. It’s also a top-notch deodorizer. Sprinkle baking soda on a carpet, let it sit, then vacuum it up.

To Safely Clean Pots and Pans When cooked food sticks to pans, the American Cleaning Institute recommends adding baking soda, filling them with hot water, and soaking them for 15 to 30 minutes. It helps lift the crusty food pieces.

To Wash Clothes Half a cup of baking soda in your washing machine’s rinse cycle cleans clothes without using other products.

To Help Ease Heartburn Add half a teaspoon to a full glass of water and drink for occasional heartburn. The alkaline baking soda will neutralize excess acid. Use it only as directed on the label or by a medical professional or pharmacist. Do not rely on it for frequent symptoms or for more than two weeks without medical guidance. People with high blood pressure, heart issues, kidney disease, or a sodium-restricted diet should talk to their doctor before trying it.

To Care for Bug Bites You know that annoying itchiness from bug bites? Rather than reach for hydrocortisone cream, apply baking soda paste (mix baking soda with a little water until it thickens to the right consistency) to the bite several times a day, suggests Mayo Clinic.

To Care for Your Teeth During Pregnancy Morning sickness happens. Along with the discomfort of queasiness, the stomach acid that goes along with vomiting can wear away at your tooth enamel. If you’re saddled with occasional or regular vomiting, rinse your mouth with 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water.

 You can also do this when sickness (like food poisoning) is causing vomiting.
To Ease Discomfort During Cancer Treatment Swishing your mouth with baking soda, salt, and water may ease throat discomfort caused by radiation or chemotherapy. This mixture may also help prevent mouth sores from getting infected. Make sure to gargle the solution — don’t swallow it. The American Cancer Society recommends checking with your cancer care team before using any mouth rinses because they can sometimes be harmful or make mouth sores worse.

Potential Health Benefits of Baking Soda

Various health benefits of baking soda may include the following:

It Can Relieve Heartburn and Indigestion Traditionally, baking soda is a popular antacid for heartburn and indigestion because it may neutralize stomach acid. Add half a teaspoon to a glass of water to help ease heartburn. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking baking soda for heartburn or indigestion, as it may negatively react with some medications. Don’t take it for more than two weeks without your doctor’s guidance.

It May Benefit Your Workout Some early research suggests that taking baking soda may boost your workout. A 2024 review in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that sodium bicarbonate supplementation may boost recovery between workouts and therefore overall athletic performance.

 For optimal performance, the authors recommended a dose of 300 milligrams of baking soda per kilogram of body weight, taken between 60 and 180 minutes before exercise or competition. But more research is needed to confirm this benefit.
It May Potentially Reduce Inflammation Baking soda may also be a valuable weapon against autoimmune conditions in the future. Older research found that, when consumed, baking soda’s antacid property may shift pro-inflammatory immune cells to those that fight inflammation, which may one day help treat disease. But these results are outdated, and more research is needed.

Side Effects and Health Risks of Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of those ingredients that people claim is a cure-all for a variety of health conditions and diseases. But the truth is that there’s scant research backing up these claims, such as the idea that it’s a cancer treatment.

It’s Not a Cancer Treatment A 2024 review in Frontiers in Oncology found that concentrated sodium bicarbonate solutions may help control fluid buildup (malignant ascites) in some cancers, when combined with standard treatment, based on animal data and a single human case report. But that doesn’t mean you can treat cancer with it at home or avoid traditional treatments. This research is still in its early stages — larger clinical trials in humans are needed to fully explore its effects.

It May Erode Tooth Enamel Applying baking soda to your teeth can be abrasive and can break down tooth enamel over the long term.

It’s High in Sodium Just half a teaspoon of baking soda contains 630 milligrams of sodium.

 The U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily, meaning half a teaspoon of baking soda is one-quarter of that limit.

 People who need to watch their sodium intake, such as those with high blood pressure, should limit baking soda use. Talk to your doctor before using it.

It May Cause GI Upset Too much sodium can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

 In rare instances, taking it after a large meal can cause a stomach rupture. The National Capital Poison Center recommends sticking to safer products like Tums.

It May Cause Seizures and Kidney Failure Ingesting high concentrations of sodium may cause seizures or kidney failure. But this is rare and typically occurs after eating large quantities at once.

Can Baking Soda Help You Lose Weight?

No research suggests baking soda boosts metabolism or helps your body burn fat. While limited evidence suggests that it may help you get more out of your workout, several other factors go into exercise and weight loss. Plus, because baking soda is high in sodium, and drinking too much of it can cause bloating and water retention. So it’s unlikely that ingesting it would lead to weight loss.

Are Baking Soda and Bicarbonate of Soda the Same Thing?

Yes. Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same thing. In fact, when Arm & Hammer first produced baking soda, “bicarbonate of soda” was printed on the box.

Can Baking Soda Be Consumed?

Yes. Baking soda is a popular ingredient in recipes, particularly baked goods. It can also be used as an antacid.

What Is Baking Soda in England?

In England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, baking soda is commonly referred to as “bicarbonate of soda.”

Is It Bad to Brush Your Teeth With Baking Soda?

Many toothpastes contain baking soda to help neutralize and buff away stains.

 But what about using it on its own? You can combine equal parts baking soda and water to remove stains, but using it too often can be abrasive and wear away tooth enamel. You’ll also miss out on cavity-fighting fluoride.
Don’t brush your teeth with acid (like apple cider vinegar) and baking soda, or scrub teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. These DIY products can damage the enamel.

What Is the Purpose of Baking Soda in Recipes?

Baking soda acts as a chemical leavener. It reacts with an acid to produce carbon dioxide — or loads of bubbles — causing cakes, cookies, and other baked goods to rise.

Are Baking Powder and Baking Soda the Same Thing?

No, so don’t use baking powder as a substitute for baking soda when you’re baking. Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate and two acids that help the dough rise multiple times while baking. Baking soda needs an acid to work, while baking powder doesn’t (it already has it built in).

For instance, one brand of baking powder contains sodium acid pyrophosphate, cornstarch, sodium bicarbonate, and monocalcium phosphate.

FAQ

What is baking soda?
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline white powder that is commonly used in households for various purposes.
Baking soda is made from processing trona, a naturally occurring mineral, into soda ash and then further processing it to make baking soda.
Baking soda can be used as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid and may have potential benefits for athletic performance and autoimmune conditions. However, it is high in sodium and should be used with caution.
Baking soda can be used to wash produce, as a natural cleanser, pots and pans cleaner, laundry freshener, and for various health-related purposes like easing heartburn and treating bug bites.
Yes, baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same thing.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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  3. Pots and Pans. American Cleaning Institute.
  4. Sodium Bicarbonate (Oral Route, Intravenous Route, Subcutaneous Route). Mayo Clinic. August 1, 2026.
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  11. How to Properly Brush Your Teeth. Cleveland Clinic. December 12, 2022.
  12. Leavening Agents, Baking Soda. U.S. Department of Agriculture: FoodData Central. April 1, 2019.
  13. Sodium in Your Diet. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. March 5, 2024.
  14. Low Sodium Diet and Lifestyle Changes for High Blood Pressure. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  15. Baking Soda Overdose. MedlinePlus. April 8, 2025.
  16. Soto P et al. My Child Got Into the Baking Soda: Risks and Treatment. National Capital Poison Center.
  17. Are Teeth Whiteners Safe and Worth Trying? Cleveland Clinic. July 15, 2024.
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