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Baking soda is the common name for an inorganic chemical called sodium bicarbonate. This substance has many applications, both in the food industry, in cosmetics, skin care and in the household, as a cleaning agent for kitchen appliances and utility surfaces.
Baking soda – formation
Baking soda is found in mineral deposits, freshwater sediments and groundwater. For industrial purposes, it is obtained from snow soda, i.e. a mine mineral. Snow soda (trona) consists of trisodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate – its deposits are located at great depths. The mineral produces sodium carbonate – in order for this to happen, the soda must be crushed, washed and heated.
Before a product is sold in stores under the name of baking soda, sodium carbonate should be dissolved in water and carbon dioxide added to the liquid – this will cause the precipitation of trisodium bicarbonate crystals. Then rinse and dry it. Baking soda is one of the most versatile formulas. It will work both when cleaning pipes and refreshing a luxurious sofa.
Baking soda – properties
Baking soda is a slightly caustic substance, thanks to which it effectively cleans the surfaces of dirt. It has an alkaline reaction that neutralizes acids and absorbs unpleasant odors. The substance also has fermenting and raising properties, so you can add it to baked goods instead of yeast and baking powder. Interestingly, baking soda is found naturally in human saliva and stomach and neutralizes the effects of acids in food and gastric juice.
Baking soda – healing properties
Baking soda is great for cleansing the body of toxins. Thanks to it, it is also possible to normalize the pH in the body. The therapy involves the use of baking soda for no longer than 3 weeks. Phytotherapy specialists recommend that you also take baking soda and sugar if your body is highly acidic. During the therapy, it is advisable to reduce heavy foods.
Baking soda also helps fight heartburn. Obese people, pregnant women and smokers have the greatest problems with this ailment. However, some vegetables and fruits can also cause heartburn. To get rid of ailments, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water and drink the solution. However, it is not a treatment for heartburn for people with high blood pressure and pregnant women.
Baking soda also helps to freshen the breath, for example right after waking up, after eating an onion or garlic, etc. Just put a teaspoon of the substance into a glass of water and rinse your mouth. Many people also add baking soda to their mouthwash. Users of fixed orthodontic appliances will especially appreciate this advantage. Baking soda also removes unpleasant odors from plaster.
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Baking soda soothes wounds from insect bites. Then it is enough to add a cup of soda to the bathtub with warm water. However, remember not to treat open wounds in this way. Baking soda also helps deacidify the body. To clean it in this way, you should drink a solution of ¼ teaspoon of soda mixed in a glass with water every morning and just before going to bed.
According to Dutch doctors, baking soda also helps in the treatment of asthma. In their opinion, an injection of baking soda in children relieves bronchospasm in children and creates a suitable ground for asthma medications. In addition, it is worth adding that baking soda is especially helpful for patients with asthma, whose attacks are so strong that the breathing process should be supported. Moreover, the administration of baking soda deacidifies the blood.
Baking soda is very popular among supporters of natural medicine. Thanks to it, you can prepare inhalations and nasal drops that will relieve a sore throat and runny nose. In case of inhalation, add a tablespoon of baking soda to 1 liter of boiling water; To prepare nasal drops, mix 1/XNUMX teaspoon of water and XNUMX tablespoon of table water.
Soda also helps treat cystic fibrosis. People suffering from this condition have a very acidic airway, which makes it difficult for them to fight bacteria. According to American scientists, baking soda helps to reduce the acidity of the respiratory tract. Nevertheless, the effects of baking soda on the body are still not fully known, so treating the condition yourself in this way is not recommended.
Baking soda – use in the kitchen
The use of baking soda is extensive. At home, it can be used, for example, to remove fat and burn. To do this, prepare a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and washing-up liquid. Then pour it into a given container, add water and set aside for a dozen or so minutes. After this time, the said container can be scrubbed. Thanks to the sodium, burning will be easier to detach the pot.
Baking soda can also be used as a microwave and oven cleaner. It is enough to pour a small amount on a damp sponge and wipe the device. As a result, the microwave oven will be clean and free of unpleasant odors. In the case of an oven, it is enough to pour the powder onto the bottom or a baking tray, sprinkle it with water, wait until the morning and then wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge.
The substance can also be used in cooking food. Some vegetables, e.g. cauliflower, emit unpleasant odors during thermal processing, which can be reduced by adding a small amount of baking soda to the pot. In addition, it can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors in the refrigerator and freezer.
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Baking soda – use in cosmetology
First of all, it is used as an ingredient of many masks. Baking soda also cleans, for example, the face of sebum and dead epidermis. To prepare such a mask, you will only need the substance in question and water, which, when mixed, form a white paste. The mixture should be applied to sick places and washed off after a few minutes with lukewarm water. It is worth remembering that such a mask can harm people with sensitive skin.
Baking soda has also been used in the production of effective home cleansing peels. You can prepare one of them, for example, by combining coconut oil with baking soda. People who want to additionally disinfect their skin can prepare a mask with lemon (without coconut oil). Lemon juice will effectively reduce discoloration.
Baking soda is also used when washing hair. It is enough to dissolve 2-3 teaspoons of the substance in half a glass of water and mix. When the hair is already combed out, slightly wet it, pour the previously prepared solution, massage the scalp with your fingertips and wash it off. After drying, it will be visible that the hair has more volume.
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Is it worth drinking baking soda drinks?
Opinions on this subject are divided. Many supporters of baking soda drinks claim that drinking the mixture regularly protects against cancer. However, there are still no specific studies to support this theory. Nevertheless, there are still a number of advantages to drinking beverages with baking soda, as they contribute to reducing stomach acidity, although the effect is short-lived.
Drinking baking soda, especially in combination with lemon, has become fashionable. This drink is very popular among people on a reduction diet. The mixture has a beneficial effect on digestion and is recommended for people struggling with gastroesophageal reflux. In addition, the drink helps to cleanse the body and is a rich source of vitamin C.
To prepare the drink you will need: a glass of lukewarm water, the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of baking soda. All ingredients should be mixed and wait for the soda to dissolve. It is advisable to drink the mixture on an empty stomach, even before consuming the first meal. Important – the drink can harm people with hypertension.
Drinking baking soda – side effects
Although drinking this drink may aid in the weight loss process, it should be consumed in moderation. Although at first glance it is a safe mixture, it can be harmful if you drink it for too long and in a higher dose than recommended. Side effects of drinking baking soda include: diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, and even kidney and liver disease.
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