Baking Soda: Home Remedy and Possible Unexpected Benefits

By Seniors Like Us

Baking soda — it’s probablay sitting in your kitchen right now, doing its quiet job deodorizing the fridge or making your cookies rise. But lately, there’s been a wave of interest in this humble powder as a health booster. Some folks claim it can do everything from easing joint pain to improving your sleep.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most talked-about benefits — and what science (and common sense) says.

1. Could It Lower Cancer Risk?

Some researchers have explored whether baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can create a more alkaline environment in the body. The theory is that cancer thrives in acidic conditions — so raising your body’s pH might slow cancer growth. While this idea has been studied in lab settings, it’s far from proven in people, and the body tightly regulates its pH no matter what you eat or drink. Promising, maybe — but not a magic bullet.

2. Thyroid Support

There's also some buzz that baking soda might support thyroid function by reducing inflammation or improving cellular health. This idea is still theoretical, but it may tie into how baking soda affects overall acid-base balance in the body..

3. Reducing Alcohol Cravings

One surprising claim is that baking soda might reduce alcohol cravings by influencing brain chemicals like dopamine and GABA. If true, this could have big implications for addiction recovery. But so far, there’s little hard evidence behind this — mostly anecdotal reports.

4. A Sleep Aid?

Here’s a popular one for seniors: a pinch of baking soda before bed is said to reduce nighttime urination and improve daytime energy. The logic is that it may help balance the body’s electrolytes and reduce inflammation that disturbs sleep. Some people swear by it. Just remember — too much can upset your stomach or raise your blood pressure.

5. Muscle Performance & Less Pain

Some athletes use baking soda to buffer lactic acid, which may lead to better muscle endurance and less soreness after workouts. While this has been supported by some small studies, the amount of baking soda required for these effects often causes stomach issues. Still, it might offer a slight edge for active seniors looking to stay fit.

6. Stress Relief in the Bath

Here’s one that sounds pretty nice — a 30-minute soak in a baking soda bath. Some believe that bicarbonate ions can absorb through the skin, potentially improving stress levels, immune function, and even skin health. While formal studies are limited, a warm bath with a half cup of baking soda may be a relaxing, inexpensive wellness practice worth trying.

Final Thoughts (and a Word of Caution):

Baking soda is cheap, easy to find, and may have more health potential than we once thought. But remember: natural doesn’t always mean safe. Taking too much baking soda internally can raise your blood pressure or mess with your kidneys — especially if you’re on certain medications.

As always, talk to your doctor before adding something new to your health routine. What works for one person may not work (or be safe) for another.