Baking Soda For Acid Reflux: Is It The Answer? - Healthline

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Can Store-Bought Baking Soda Really Treat Acid Reflux?

Medically reviewed by Kelsey Trull, PA-C — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on May 2, 2024

How it works
Types
How to use
Side effects
Complications
FAQ
Takeaway

Key takeaways

Baking soda, containing sodium bicarbonate, may help temporarily relieve acid reflux by neutralizing stomach acid.
For adults and adolescents, a typical dose is 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in water, taken 1 to 2 hours after meals. But it shouldn’t be a long-term solution.
Overuse of baking soda can lead to side effects like headache, muscle issues, and increased stomach acid production, and it’s not recommended for pregnant individuals or those with certain health conditions.

Acid reflux is a digestive condition where stomach acid flows from the stomach back into the esophagus. This backwash of acid may irritate your esophagus, leading to symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation.

Treatment for acid reflux will depend on the duration, frequency, and severity of your symptoms.

For temporary acid reflux, many people suggest using baking soda as an effective home remedy to ease symptoms. However, the research on its efficacy is limited.

What’s more, it may only be suitable as a short-term solution. If you experience acid reflux several times per week, speak with a healthcare professional. This may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Keep reading to learn more about the uses, potential benefits and risks, and dosage of baking soda.

How does baking soda help treat acid reflux?

The active ingredient in baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which is also in some antacid medications.

Sodium bicarbonate could temporarily relieve symptoms of acid reflux because it’s an absorbable antacid. It works by temporarily neutralizing the excess acid in your stomach, which is responsible for acid reflux symptoms.

Your pancreas naturally produces sodium bicarbonate after eating to help protect your intestines. Baking soda is thought to mimic the effects of this process.

Baking soda products for acid reflux

The same type of baking soda you use to bake or to absorb smells from your fridge can neutralize stomach acid.

If you don’t like the taste of baking soda, some over-the-counter (OTC) medications that contain sodium bicarbonate may provide short-term relief. These are available as:

capsules
tablets
granules
solutions

It’s important to read the instructions on the box carefully and to follow the recommended dosage.

If OTC medications don’t provide relief from symptoms of acid reflux, speak with a healthcare professional. They may prescribe a stronger medication like Zegerid, which contains sodium bicarbonate and omeprazole.

How to use baking soda for acid reflux

Baking soda may provide short-term relief from acid reflux, but it isn’t intended as a long-term treatment.

It should be taken 1–2 hours after eating and 2 hours apart from other medications.

For people ages 12 years and older, the recommended dosage for sodium bicarbonate is 1/2 tsp dissolved in a 4-ounce glass of water. Sodium bicarbonate is not recommended for younger people.

Remember, baking soda should only be used as an occasional, short-term remedy for acid reflux.

Speak with a healthcare professional if your acid reflux lasts more than 2 weeks. They may recommend other medications, such as:

antacids
H2 blockers
proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

What to avoid when using baking soda

It’s best to avoid the following when taking baking soda for acid reflux:

taking more than 3 1/2 tsp of baking soda (seven doses) in a day
taking more than 1 1/2 tsp of baking soda (three doses) in a day if you’re over 60 years old
taking the maximum dosage for more than 2 weeks
taking baking soda when you’re overly full to avoid gastric rupture
drinking baking soda solution too quickly, as it can lead to increased diarrhea and gas
avoid using baking soda if you’re following a low sodium diet

What are the side effects of baking soda for acid reflux?

Sodium bicarbonate may cause some side effects, including:

headache
muscle spams, pain, or weakness
nausea
vomiting
bad taste in your mouth
increased urination
metabolic alkalosis
slow breathing rate (bradypnea)

Sodium bicarbonate may also cause a sudden decrease in stomach acid, which may lead to acid rebound (increased acid production). This could cause your symptoms to return even worse than before.

It’s best to speak with a doctor before taking baking soda, especially if you take other medication. They could advise you on the proper dosage and frequency of baking soda, or offer a better alternative for your health condition.

What are the complications of baking soda for acid reflux?

The most common cause of baking soda toxicity is overuse. Long-term and overuse of baking soda can increase your risk for:

hypokalemia
hypochloremia
hypernatremia
worsening kidney disease
worsening heart failure
muscle weakness and cramps
increased stomach acid production

Who should not drink baking soda?

Several factors may also increase your risk of developing complications from sodium bicarbonate, including:

being pregnant
drinking alcohol
being on a low sodium diet
having an underlying health condition, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or edema
taking certain medications, such as:
- antacids
- antibiotics
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- mesalamine
- sulfasalazine

When to seek medical attention

Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

frequent urination
loss of appetite
unexplained weight loss
breathing difficulties
swelling in limbs and feet
bloody or tar-like stools
blood in the urine
vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to take baking soda for acid reflux?

Baking soda may provide temporary relief from acid reflux. However, it shouldn’t be used for long-term treatment.

What is the fastest way to neutralize stomach acid?

Sodium bicarbonate could neutralize stomach acid very quickly, providing short-term relief from acid reflux.

Can you rinse your mouth with baking soda for acid reflux?

To feel the effects of baking soda for acid reflux, you have to drink it. In your stomach, baking soda can then neutralize the excess acid that’s causing symptoms.

Takeaway

Baking soda may provide short-term relief from occasional acid reflux.

However, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if your symptoms occur more than twice per week, as this may be a sign of GERD.

They could help develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Learn more about 14 ways to manage and prevent acid reflux.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Garg V, et al. (2022). Antacids revisited: Review on contemporary facts and relevance for self-management.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8966100/
Heartburn and acid reflux. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux/
Senewiratne NL, et al. (2023). Sodium bicarbonate.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559139/
Sodium bicarbonate. (2017).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682001.html
Sodium bicarbonate antacid: Drug facts. (2016).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=79702bcd-65c4-4265-8139-93d93e983e75&type=display
Treatment for GER and GERD. (2020).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/treatment
Zegerid (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) label. (2014).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021849s010021636s016lbl.pdf

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Medically reviewed by Kelsey Trull, PA-C — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on May 2, 2024

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Key takeaways

How does baking soda help treat acid reflux?

Baking soda products for acid reflux

How to use baking soda for acid reflux

What to avoid when using baking soda

What are the side effects of baking soda for acid reflux?

What are the complications of baking soda for acid reflux?

Who should not drink baking soda?

When to seek medical attention

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to take baking soda for acid reflux?

What is the fastest way to neutralize stomach acid?

Can you rinse your mouth with baking soda for acid reflux?

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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