This Affordable Kitchen Essential May Help Decrease Inflammation.

      On any typical day, you’ll likely come across my reliable pantry essentials: pasta, canned beans, and rolled oats. However, I must highlight the often-overlooked yellow box residing at the back of my fridge, which serves a dual purpose: baking soda. This versatile and budget-friendly product (priced lower than Two Buck Chuck, at least before inflation) not only absorbs unpleasant odors in the refrigerator or acts as the leavening agent in my go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe, but it also supports various health benefits, such as reducing chronic inflammation and aiding digestion when mixed with water. In this article, with insights from Dr. Mark Hyman, MD—family physician and cofounder and chief medical officer of Function Health—we explore the science-backed health advantages of consuming baking soda water.

      MEET THE EXPERT

      Dr. Mark Hyman, MD

      Dr. Hyman is a practicing family physician, cofounder and chief medical officer of Function Health, host of the popular health podcast The Dr. Hyman Show, and a 15-time New York Times best-selling author.

      What Does Baking Soda Water Taste Like?

      Truthfully, drinking a glass of baking soda dissolved in water is not exactly a taste sensation you would crave. It has a somewhat bitter and salty flavor, almost soapy (I admit, that doesn’t help its appeal). However, due to its generally neutralizing taste, it is often used in recipes that include acidic ingredients to balance them. Therefore, when consumed in small amounts, the potential benefits of drinking baking soda water (stay tuned for those) might outweigh its unappealing taste. If drinking the alkaline beverage in its pure form is difficult, you could enhance its flavor by adding Himalayan sea salt and a squeeze of lemon.

      What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Baking Soda Water?

      It may reduce chronic inflammation

      While inflammation is often viewed negatively, not all inflammation is harmful; it’s a natural response the body has to invaders. However, chronic inflammation (elevated inflammatory levels over long periods) deserves its bad reputation—it’s a hidden contributor to numerous health issues that should be avoided. “Chronic inflammation is the root cause of many diseases, ranging from autoimmune disorders to heart disease,” states Dr. Hyman. However, consuming baking soda could foster an anti-inflammatory environment in the body. “Research indicates that baking soda may shift immune cell function to promote an anti-inflammatory response,” Dr. Hyman explains.

      A 2018 study involving both animals and humans consuming baking soda mixed with water suggested that regular intake might serve as a “practical, cost-effective, and relatively safe method” to activate anti-inflammatory pathways and address inflammatory diseases. The baking soda prompted immune cells known as macrophages to adjust their inflammation-triggering signals to a calming message that reduced inflammation.

      How to try it: In the study, the researchers began with 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 20 ounces of water taken a few times weekly, gradually increasing to 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.

      It may aid digestion and relieve heartburn

      While your social media feeds may suggest remedies like olive oil shots and stewed apples for digestive benefits, baking soda water has considerable research supporting its advantages. “For those dealing with acid reflux or indigestion, baking soda can quickly relieve symptoms by neutralizing stomach acid,” explains Dr. Hyman.

      A study published in the Journal of the National Medical Association found this natural antacid effective against various stomach issues, including heartburn, bloating, gas, and acid reflux. What occurs biologically? When you consume food, it's mixed with acidic gastric juices in the stomach that break it down. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, the active ingredient in Alka-Seltzer) helps restore pH balance in your digestive system, promoting efficient digestion and reducing acid reflux.

      How to try it: Dr. Hyman recommends dissolving ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water to neutralize stomach acid and provide prompt relief. It’s best to consume it after eating, allowing stomach acid to digest food first.

      It may improve kidney health

      The two bean-shaped organs play a crucial role in maintaining bodily functions, including waste removal and pH balance (the equilibrium between acid and alkaline). The pH level of your bodily fluids and organs influences digestion, hormones, metabolism, and overall functioning. A deviation in the body’s pH can hinder its proper functioning. This is where baking soda comes in. “Baking soda helps neutralize blood acidity, especially advantageous for those with kidney issues,” notes Dr. Hyman. “Studies show it can decelerate kidney function decline and support renal health.”

      A 2024 study published in the American Journal of Medicine determined that taking two daily doses of baking soda (four to five 650-milligram tablets) was associated with slowing kidney disease progression over five years in comparison to standard medical care alone. In individuals with chronic kidney disease, the organs