Baking soda is one of the best-known cleaning products worldwide, but it also has numerous health and life benefits that we might not be aware of.
Here are seven household uses for baking soda that can easily and effectively improve your health, such as mouthwash and relief from heartburn:
• **Relief from Heartburn:** Baking soda is claimed to effectively neutralize stomach acid that causes acid reflux known as heartburn. All you need to do is dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly. However, it's important to avoid regularly drinking baking soda, as it may lead to some heart problems.
• **Soothe Itchy and Irritated Skin:** A baking soda bath can help soothe skin itching and irritation caused by insect bites or bee stings, according to nutritionist Ryan Raman. He says, "To make a baking soda bath, add 1-2 cups of baking soda to warm water, and make sure to submerge the affected area well in the water."
• **Cleaning and Disinfecting Food:** If you are concerned about pesticide residues on the fruits and vegetables you just bought from the market or supermarket and want to clean and disinfect them without resorting to industrial chemical cleaners, baking soda is undoubtedly the ideal solution. Scientists have revealed that soaking foods like vegetables and fruits in a mixture of water and baking soda is the most effective way to remove pesticides from food without needing to peel them.
• **Enhancing Exercise Performance:** According to specialist Raman, some people use baking soda to improve their physical performance during workouts. Baking soda has a high pH level, which helps athletes manage fatigue and delay the feeling of tiredness, allowing them to continue exercising for longer periods.
• **Odor Removal:** This may not be the first thing you think of, but baking soda is considered an ideal deodorant. Mr. Raman says, "Sweat acquires its foul smell after being broken down by bacteria in the armpit area. These bacteria convert sweat into acidic waste that gives sweat its unpleasant odor." He further explained: "But by using baking soda, you eliminate that odor by making it less acidic. All you have to do is apply some baking soda to your armpit area and notice the difference."
• **Treating Mouth Ulcers:** Some experts claim that baking soda can reduce the pain of mouth ulcers, especially those that form on the lips and tongue. All you need to do is rinse your mouth with a mouthwash made of water and baking soda to alleviate the painful symptoms of mouth ulcers.
• **Reducing Bad Breath:** Bad breath is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth and is often associated with gum disease and dental issues as well. According to experts, a mouthwash made from water and baking soda can prevent bacterial growth in the mouth because it raises the pH level of saliva.
