Heartburn Relief - Is Baking Soda The Solution?
By Natalie Beech

You probably know of 'Grandma's Remedy' of a little soda in a glass of water to soothe the burning sensation of heartburn or acid reflux. But before you try this, you need to know some things about using soda or any antacid as a heartburn remedy.

What Happens In Heartburn and How To Take Soda

Some people suffer heartburn after eating too quickly or eating particular foods. Heartburn arises from stomach acid squirting up into your esophagus (the tube that leads down from your mouth to your stomach). This ‘acid reflux’ irritates the lining of the esophagus and creates pain. As the pain was felt in the chest, it was referred to as heartburn although it has nothing to do with the heart. It is important, however, to find the causes of the acid reflux and eliminate the symptoms of heartburn as they can often mask the more serious symptoms of heart disease.

In mild heartburn, drinking a little water can help reduce the burning sensation by diluting the acid. Saliva produced in the mouth is naturally alkaline and so can neutralize the acid. Chewing gum is a good way to increase the saliva, which is naturally alkaline, before swallowing (the saliva, not the gum!).

An effective remedy is soda for heartburn because being alkaline it neutralizes the stomach acid in the esophagus. Just sip a solution (one teaspoon in a glass of water) slowly until the discomfort reduces and you feel relief. Compared to over-the-counter antacids, soda is cheap, readily available and you do not need a prescription - and it is useful for cookies too!

Why Not To Over-Use Soda and Antacids

However, if you take too much soda, as with any antacid medication, then you will neutralize the acid in the stomach itself. This can result in the stomach producing more acid to compensate. You then end up taking more soda or antacid. With this vicious cycle, the stomach cells can become exhausted

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with the over-production of acid and so the levels of stomach acid can decline over time. This may at first appear to be a good thing, for your heartburn perhaps. But the levels of stomach acid can be reduced to such a degree that digestion is impaired and food not properly broken down. This in turn can lead to allergies and inflammation in other parts of the body.

You also do not want the excess sodium, from soda or some antacids, if you suffer from high blood pressure. If you have to use over-the-counter antacids, then make sure that they do not contain aluminum salts, as aluminum has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Also, be aware that antacids containing calcium and magnesium can cause mineral imbalances in the body if used long-term. You should also note that some medical conditions can weaken the esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux, as can some medicines. Consult your doctor if you have frequent heartburn or if you think that the following medications may be a side-effect: prescription pain killers, calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, antihistamines, asthma medication, or nitrates.

Antacid medication and soda are not long term solutions to your heartburn. Your priority now should be to discover the causes and solutions to your acid reflux. These might surprise you. The cure for your heartburn and the solutions to your long term health could be the exact opposite of what you might expect.

About the author: Natalie Beech is a health writer who writes informatively about heartburn. Discover surprising information about heartburn and acid reflux at The Heartburn Relief Website
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