Is baking soda as a stomach acid medicine (gerd), is it safe?

Are you one with acid reflux, or what is known as GERD? If so, how do you deal with this acid reflux? Baking soda has long been believed to be one of the best stomach acid drugs that can be used to treat acid reflux. But is this baking soda treatment safe to do? Are there any side effects that can be experienced as a result of using baking soda as a stomach acid medicine?

Why can stomach acid rise?

The entrance to your stomach is a muscular, ring-shaped valve known as lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, this LES will close immediately after the food has passed. However, in some conditions, the LES does not close or opens too often, so that the acid produced by your stomach rises into the esophagus.

This condition can cause heartburn or heartburn, and if it occurs more than twice a week, this condition can lead to acid reflux disease (GERD).

How do you use baking soda as a stomach acid medicine?

Supported by a number of studies that have been conducted, baking soda is believed to have the same function as antacids, namely to neutralize stomach acid. Baking soda or also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white powder that is odorless and is a combination of sodium and hydrogen carbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is even found in antacids sold in pharmacies. This white powder has a bitter taste and tends to be alkaline.

The way to use baking soda as a stomach acid medicine is by mixing it with water until it dissolves. A 2015 study found that combining baking soda with omeprazole, a stomach acid blocking drug, was successful in reducing symptoms due to acid reflux, in 30 minutes compared to using omeprazole alone.

Side effects of using baking soda as a stomach acid medicine

High salt content

As mentioned above, baking soda contains high levels of salt. So drinking baking soda may not be recommended if you have high blood pressure or are on a low salt diet.

High gas content

Baking soda also contains high levels of gas, which may cause you to pass gas more frequently after using the baking soda treatment. This side effect is in accordance with the book Take Care of Yourself which states that the baking soda treatment works by releasing trapped gas in your stomach to neutralize rising stomach acid.

So, is baking soda safe as a stomach acid medicine?

Due to the potential side effects of this baking soda treatment, you should discuss with your doctor before actually using it as a stomach acid medicine. If you even experience stomach acid rising quite often, it would be better if you immediately consult a doctor first rather than taking the initiative to do the baking soda treatment yourself.