Baking soda is the common name for the chemical compound sodium carbonate. It is called so because it is a key ingredient in most baked food products. Besides its use in the kitchen, baking soda has several health benefits. One of the most important benefits of consuming baking soda in small amounts on a regular basis is that it keeps the kidneys in good working condition and reduces the chances of renal ailments. Baking soda is known to prevent the worsening of chronic kidney disease and even reduce the frequency at which patients of end-stage renal disease require dialysis. It also neutralizes the effect of acidic toxins that may be present in the bloodstream and thereby prevents the formation of kidney stones. Interestingly, it has been found that in spite of being a sodium compound, baking soda does not lead to any significant increase in blood pressure, and therefore its consumption does not put extra pressure on the heart and the brain.
It is also popularly known that baking soda is an effective natural means of treating Indigestion and bloating caused by overeating. If you have had an especially heavy meal and are feeling uncomfortable, simply add a pinch of baking powder into a glass of lukewarm water and drink this solution. This will bring quick relief from the feeling of tightness around the chest and stomach. In addition, this solution is also useful in treating acidity and heartburn caused by eating excessively spicy food. Another health benefit of baking soda is that helps treat gout pains. Since baking soda is alkaline in nature, it helps dissolve the excess uric acid that gets accumulated in the tissues of body joints. It also neutralizes the effect of acidic toxins that may be present in the bloodstream and thereby prevents the formation of stones in the kidneys.
Baking soda may also be used for treating skin blemishes and pimples. For this, you simply need to dissolve two teaspoons of baking soda in a small amount of water, and apply this thin paste all over your face, just like you would apply a face mask. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse your face with water. Pat your skin dry using a soft towel and use a light moisturizer if necessary. This treatment helps absorb excess oil and dead skin cells trapped in the pores on the surface of the skin, which are primarily responsible for the appearance of blackheads and pimples.
answered by G R