Sodium bicarbonate already aids you in your daily life, and you may not even know it. Some know it as baking soda through its popularity in oral hygiene products and baked foods. Keep reading to discover its potential health benefits and possible side effects.<\/p>\n
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Sodium bicarbonate is commonly referred to as baking soda<\/strong>, which is a popular food ingredient, medicine, and household product.<\/p>\n Its neutralizing ability can relieve stomach conditions,<\/strong> such as acid indigestion and heartburn. For this purpose, sodium bicarbonate is commonly sold as an OTC antacid medicine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Some kinds of toothpaste <\/strong>contain sodium bicarbonate for its ability to fight tooth decay and remove odors. Sodium bicarbonate works well with fluoride to protect teeth<\/strong>, kill bacteria, and improve overall dental health [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Sodium bicarbonate is also a popular ingredient for cakes and bread<\/strong>. While providing texture in foods, sodium bicarbonate can also reduce acidity, and act as a raising and leavening agent [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Sodium bicarbonate also has household uses. You can use it for pest control<\/strong>, odor control<\/strong>, and even as an emergency fire extinguisher <\/strong>[R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n As the name implies, sodium bicarbonate is a salt<\/a> composed of sodium and bicarbonate<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n These two ions (electrically charged atoms) break apart from each other when dissolved to interact with nearby components, such as free hydrogen [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Excess hydrogen increases the acidity in liquids and can cause digestive issues and, at high levels, a severe condition called acidosis. Sodium bicarbonate can remove excess hydrogen from its environment to reduce acidity. Each sodium bicarbonate molecule can bind to 3 hydrogen molecules [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Sodium bicarbonate can also release its sodium ions, thus providing an excellent source of this electrolyte. <\/strong>Sodium is necessary to control cell volume, maintain bodily fluid acid levels, and transmit nerve impulses [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Components<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Mechanism of Action<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Snapshot<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Proponents<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Skeptics<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Health Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n