What are the risks of drinking baking soda?

Drinking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can have a number of risks, especially if used improperly, in large amounts, or over a long period. While it is sometimes used as a home remedy for indigestion, it is not a recommended long-term solution. Risks include stomach rupture and electrolyte imbalances.

What Is Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)?

Baking soda is a white, crystalline powder commonly used in baking, cleaning, and deodorizing. Chemically, it is sodium bicarbonate, an alkaline compound that neutralizes acids.

In medicine, sodium bicarbonate has FDA-approved uses:

• As an antacid for temporary relief of heartburn and acid indigestion
• Relief of minor skin irritations and itching from poison oak, ivy, sumac, and insect bites
• In hospital settings (IV form) for metabolic acidosis

Why Do People Drink Baking Soda?

Some people turn to baking soda as a home remedy for:

• Indigestion or heartburn
• “Detox” or “alkalizing” the body
• Preventing or treating urinary tract infections

However, there is not enough evidence to support most of these claims. Taking baking soda to treat a UTI can delay proper treatment that has been proven to be effective (i.e., antibiotics). This can lead to your infection becoming worse.

For indigestion, safer, tested alternatives exist, like over-the-counter antacids (calcium carbonate/Tums, aluminum hydroxide–magnesium hydroxide/Maalox, or H2 blockers like famotidine). Before taking baking soda for stomach problems, you should consult with your healthcare provider.

What Are the Risks of Drinking Baking Soda?

While baking soda may temporarily neutralize stomach acid, its risks heavily outweigh potential benefits when used improperly.

• Electrolyte Imbalance: Baking soda is very high in sodium. Overuse can cause dehydration, strain the kidneys, and lead to dangerous drops in potassium levels. Case reports describe severe complications from sodium overload.
• Metabolic Alkalosis: Large doses can upset blood chemistry, raising blood pH to life-threatening levels. Symptoms include confusion, muscle twitching, and seizures.
• Gastrointestinal Damage: The reaction of sodium bicarbonate with stomach acid produces gas (carbon dioxide). In rare cases, this has caused stomach rupture when large amounts were consumed.
• Heart Risks: High sodium intake increases blood pressure and may trigger arrhythmias in vulnerable patients. People with heart disease, kidney disease, or hypertension are at greatest risk.
• Drug Interactions: Baking soda can alter stomach acidity, changing how medications like some antibiotics are absorbed or eliminated.

Can You Drink Baking Soda Safely at All?

Some medical guidelines note that very small amounts (½ teaspoon dissolved in 4 oz water) may be used occasionally for indigestion. But this should only be done under medical direction.

If you are over 60 years old, the manufacturer recommends no more than three ½ teaspoons in a 24-hour period. The maximum recommended dose in other adults is seven ½ teaspoons per day, and doses should be spaced out by at least 2 hours. Do not use the maximum dosage for more than 2 weeks without consulting a healthcare provider.

Baking soda may not be safe for:

• Pregnant women
• Children
• Anyone with kidney disease, heart failure, or high blood pressure

When to Seek Medical Help

Seek immediate medical care or call Poison Control (1‑800‑222‑1222 in the U.S.) if someone consumes large amounts of baking soda or develops symptoms such as:

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Severe stomach pain
• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
• Confusion, dizziness, or fainting
• Difficulty breathing

Quick Answers: Baking Soda Safety

Summary

Drinking baking soda is not a safe home remedy. While sodium bicarbonate is FDA-approved in specific medical forms, regular household use can cause serious harm. People sometimes use it for heartburn, “detox,” or urinary tract infection prevention, but the health risks (e.g., electrolyte imbalance, metabolic alkalosis, stomach rupture, high blood pressure, and dangerous drug interactions) far outweigh unproven benefits.

Very small doses of baking soda may occasionally relieve indigestion under medical guidance, but it is not safe for children, pregnant women, or individuals with kidney or heart conditions. Safer alternatives include over-the-counter antacids. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms after ingestion should call Poison Control or seek emergency care immediately.

See also:

Drug information

• Sodium Bicarbonate Information for Consumers
• Sodium Bicarbonate prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
• Side Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate (detailed)
• Sodium Bicarbonate user reviews (3)

Related support groups

• Sodium Bicarbonate (3 questions, 15 members)

Medical Disclaimer