Baking Soda Uses and Benefits - How to Buy Baking Soda Near Me

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a versatile household staple used for baking and cooking. But it also has a variety of health, beauty, and cleaning uses. Here's a look at what baking soda is, where to buy it, and how to use this common pantry ingredient.

Chemical Composition

The chemical formula for baking soda is NaHCO3. It's a mild base that releases carbon dioxide bubbles when exposed to an acid, giving rise to dough and batters.

Baking soda is alkaline with a pH around 8. This makes it effective for neutralizing acids and balancing pH in recipes as well as in your body.

Manufacturing Process

Commercial baking soda is made by passing carbon dioxide through a solution of sodium carbonate (washing soda). This produces sodium bicarbonate, the chemical name for baking soda.

Natural baking soda can also form in some mineral springs where sodium-rich water reacts with volcanic carbon dioxide.

Where to Buy Baking Soda

One of the great things about baking soda is that it's inexpensive and widely available. Here are some of the best places to buy baking soda near you.

Grocery Stores

Look for baking soda in the baking aisle of your local grocery store, often sold in cardboard boxes or plastic containers. Popular national brands like Arm & Hammer and store brands are reliable choices.

Baking soda is often sold in larger quantities at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club to save money on this kitchen staple.

Pharmacies and Drugstores

Many national pharmacy chains such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid stock baking soda. You can usually find it either in the baking section or with digestive remedies.

Drug stores often sell smaller containers of baking soda perfect for travel or keeping in multiple rooms.

Natural Food Stores

Health food stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts sell aluminum-free and non-GMO baking soda options for people looking to avoid certain ingredients.

Natural baking soda tends to be more expensive than regular varieties. But some people prefer to buy from health food stores.

Online

Prefer to shop from home? Baking soda can be purchased through online retailers like Amazon and added to your pantry stash.

Buying online allows you to easily compare prices and find less common types like aluminum-free, gluten-free, or kosher baking soda.

Uses for Baking Soda

From baking to cleaning to health remedies, baking soda can be used in many ways. Here are some of the top uses for this versatile ingredient.

Baking

Baking soda helps doughs and batters rise by producing air bubbles when combined with acid ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, honey, brown sugar, yogurt, buttermilk, and cocoa.

It's used in recipes for cakes, muffins, cookies, pancakes, and quick breads. Baking soda also improves browning and gives baked goods a fluffier texture.

Neutralizing Odors

Baking soda can absorb and neutralize odors rather than just masking them. It's effective for freshening up smelly areas like refrigerators, kitchen sinks, cat litter boxes, carpets, and upholstery.

Cleaning Surfaces

Make a baking soda paste to scrub and clean countertops, stainless steel, tile, bathtubs, sinks, and more. The mild abrasiveness lifts dirt while the alkaline pH dissolves grease and residue.

Polishing Silver

Mix baking soda with a little water to make an abrasive paste for removing tarnish from silverware and jewelry. Rinse and buff with a cloth until shiny after scrubbing gently.

Deodorizing Brushes

Freshen up makeup brushes by sprinkling baking soda into the palm of your hand. Swirl brush bristles into the baking soda to remove residue and odors.

Heartburn Relief

Baking soda can temporarily neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn, indigestion, and ulcer discomfort when dissolved in water.

Oral Hygiene

Brushing with a baking soda paste can help whiten teeth, remove stains, and freshen breath. It's also useful for soothing canker sores when diluted in water.

Health Benefits

Research shows baking soda offers some potential health benefits beyond its everyday uses. However, more studies are still needed to confirm effects.

Improves Exercise Performance

Consuming baking soda may allow you to train harder and longer. It counters the buildup of lactic acid that contributes to fatigue.

In one study, runners who took baking soda supplements before a 1500m sprint completed it about 25 seconds faster than those given a placebo.

May Help Kidney Health

Baking soda has alkalizing effects in the body. This may help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, which causes bodies to become overly acidic.

In a study of 134 patients with kidney disease, those who took oral sodium bicarbonate supplements were 36% less likely to progress to kidney failure.

Reduces Heartburn

As an antacid, baking soda can quickly neutralize stomach acid and provide fast relief from heartburn and indigestion.

It may be more effective at relieving symptoms than some over-the-counter antacids which also contain unwanted ingredients.

Soothes Canker Sores

The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of baking soda make it a home remedy for relieving pain and speeding healing of canker sores.

One study found that rinsing with a baking soda solution significantly decreased canker sore pain compared to rinsing with plain water.

How Much to Take

Baking soda can be used internally as an antacid or alkalizing agent for short periods under medical supervision. However, this requires careful monitoring of dosage.

Typical oral doses may range from 500 to 2700 mg per day, taken 1 to 4 times daily. Always begin with lower amounts and avoid exceeding the recommended dosage.

For heartburn, mix about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 4 ounces of water and drink slowly. Don't take more than 7 doses in 24 hours.

For exercise performance, doses around 300 mg/kg of body weight have been used. But taking too much can cause serious side effects.

It's best to work with a healthcare provider experienced in using baking soda supplementally to find the right dosage for your needs.

Risks and Side Effects

Baking soda is generally recognized as safe by the FDA, but taking too much can be hazardous.

Sodium Overload

Consuming large amounts of sodium from baking soda can increase blood pressure and cause fluid buildup. This may worsen heart failure and kidney disease.

Drug Interactions

Baking soda may interact negatively with certain medications like prescription diuretics, laxatives, antacids, lithium, and corticosteroids.

GI Issues

Taking baking soda can cause side effects like gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach when overused.

Tooth Damage

Brushing too aggressively with baking soda can wear down tooth enamel over time. Use a soft touch and avoid overdoing it.

Check with your doctor before using medicinal amounts of baking soda, especially if you have high blood pressure, kidney problems, or take medications.

Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder

Baking soda and baking powder are often used interchangeably in baking, but they're chemically different products with distinct uses.

Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a base that reacts with acids like buttermilk and lemon juice to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that help dough rise.

It has an alkaline pH of 8 and doesn't contain added acidifiers. Baking soda needs the addition of an acid to activate leavening.

Baking Powder

Baking powder acts similarly to baking soda but also includes an acidifying agent like cream of tartar. This allows it to produce gas bubbles and cause rising without needing an added acid.

It has an overall neutral pH of around 7. Simply add water or milk to activate its leavening power.

Storing Baking Soda

Follow these tips to keep baking soda fresh for up to 2 years:

• Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Keep the box or bottle closed tight to prevent baking soda from absorbing odors and moisture.
• Don't store baking soda in the fridge or freezer, where temperature fluctuations can cause caking.

If baking soda develops lumps or seems less effective, replace with a fresh supply.

Conclusion

Baking soda is an inexpensive, versatile product with a very long shelf life. It has a variety of uses ranging from cooking and cleaning to health and beauty benefits.

You can easily find baking soda in the baking aisle of most grocery stores and pharmacies. It offers an economical way to enhance recipes, deodorize, clean things, and potentially help treat some conditions.

Just be mindful of dosage when taking baking soda internally and avoid exceeding recommendations without medical guidance. Used properly, baking soda can be a healthy, eco-friendly staple to keep stocked in your pantry.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.