Before learning about baking soda pH levels and whether they raise or lower pH in the body, it is important understand the nature and structure of baking soda.
The chemical name of baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate or Sodium Hydrogen carbonate and its chemical formula is Na HCO3. This is a crystalline white solid. Generally baking soda is a salt in powder form. The taste of this chemical powder is salty and the natural mineral of this baking soda is Nahcolite. It has various names such as bread soda, bicarbonate of soda and cooking soda. In short it is names as bicarb and it is used widely. This baking soda is prepared by a process called Solvay process. The reaction of sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and ammonia in water results in the formation of baking soda.
The chemical equation is CO2 + 2 Na OH -> Na2CO3 + H2O.
Does baking soda raise pH or lower pH?
PH in chemistry is the name given for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is supposed to be neutral. The solution which has a pH of less than 7 is known to be acidic whereas a solution which has a pH of more than 7 is known as alkaline. These pH measurements are valuable for biology, medicine, agriculture, food science, forestry, environmental science, civil engineering, oceanography and for various other things.
Baking soda ph is 8.2, i.e. alkaline. It is used for raising the pH value of an aqueous solution which is acidic. It is also used to raise the ph value, in turn increasing the alkaline nature of a solution. The pH of baking soda is often used to soften vegetables while cooking though some nutrients are lost in this type of cooking.
What is Baking Soda Used For?
In the body, baking soda is sometimes used to raise pH levels, when the body is in in an acidic state.
Because baking soda raises pH levels, it is often used as an antacid for treating acidity and heart burn, caused by eating non-alkaline foods. Chronic conditions of metabolic acidosis such as renal tubular acidosis and severe renal failure are counteracted by baking soda’s pH value, when it is taken in the oral form. Baking soda pH is also used for changing the acidic nature of urine to alkaline while treating for overdose of aspirin and uric acid renal stones. It is also one of the main ingredients in baby gripe water.
The high PH value of baking soda is helpful as a first aid for treating scalding to avoid scarring and blistering. It can be mixed with water to form a paste which is applied as an antiseptic to the scalded area before going for doctor’s treatment.
In cases of acidosis, or if there is insufficiency of bicarbonate or sodium ions in the blood, baking soda is given intravenously as an aqueous solution. Baking soda raises pH in cases of respiratory acidosis, therefore, baking soda is used for the treatment of cardiopulmonary resuscitation under medical supervision.
You may be surprised by the news that an oncologist in Rome, Italy, Dr. Tullio Simoncini is using baking soda or sodium bicarbonate for the destruction of cancer tumors. He is claiming that baking soda is safe, effective and less expensive. According to Dr. Simoncini, the pH of baking soda, naturally targets cancer cells, thereby working to destroy the cancer tumors.
It is important to note that there can be some adverse effects of consuming too much baking soda such as developing conditions like edema, hypertension and congestive heart failure, which occur due to excess sodium. Therefore it is advisable to moderate your consumption of baking soda soas to not make your body too alkaline.