The unsung hero of the kitchen cupboard, baking soda is known for its role in several delectable culinary creations. From light and fluffy cakes to flavorful curries, this ingredient can be incorporated into almost anything, thanks to its versatility. But aside from cooking and baking, baking soda can also be used in and around the kitchen. However, like every other kitchen ingredient, baking soda also comes with a bag of myths and misconceptions about health. While some tout it for benefits, others are concerned about its potential health risks.
Also Read: No Baking Soda At Home? Use These 5 Substitutes That Work Like A Charm
To bust these myths, renowned nutritionist Amita Gadre shared a video on her Instagram page, explaining what baking soda is, along with its positive and negative impacts on health.
Watch the full video below:
Baking Soda Can Have Both Positive And Negative Impact On Your Body
Instead of taking one side, renowned nutritionist Amita Gadre explained both the positive and negative impacts of baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate.
Positive Impact:
- Baking soda can act as a natural antacid and neutralize excess stomach acid. It can provide temporary relief from heartburn, acid reflux, and some indigestion.
- Baking soda does not kill nutrients in food. Nutritionist Gadre shares that if you add a pinch of baking soda to pulses and dal, it can help them cook faster.
Negative Impact:
- Since baking soda is high in sodium, excessive consumption of it can result in water retention, electrolyte imbalances, and sometimes hypertension, nutritionist Gadre explains.
- Consuming baking soda almost every day can, in some people, lead to alkalosis, i.e., it can disrupt the body's acid-base balance, which can cause muscle twitching, nausea, or even edema in some people.
- For a small number of people, baking soda can also cause hypokalemia, i.e., depletion of potassium levels in your body. Nutritionist Gadre ends the video by emphasizing the fact that baking soda should not be treated as poison and sometimes, in small quantities, can be included in food.
Baking Soda can be used in a variety of things in and around the household.
Photo Credit: iStock
Ways To Use Baking Soda Around The House Other Than Food
Looking for some other ways to include baking soda in your daily life? Here are some easy ways to do that:
1. Toothpaste
When you are out of toothpaste, you can use baking soda to brush your teeth. It is gently abrasive and boasts whitening properties, making it an excellent emergency toothpaste. All you have to do is mix baking soda with coconut and peppermint oil and then brush it away with water!
2. Deodorizer
Yes! Baking soda can absorb odours! If you are out of your antiperspirant, apply a bit of baking soda under your armpits as a quick and emergency measure. What more? Baking soda can also absorb odours from shoes, socks, drawers, fridges, microwaves, etc.
3. Oil Remover
Since baking soda is an absorbent and has some serious cleaning power, it can soak up oil. If you spill some oil on your clothes or carpets, all you have to do is sprinkle a little amount of baking soda over it and let it soak up the oil or grease.
4. Exfoliator
Baking soda has a coarse texture, which is why it works as a great exfoliator. All you have to do is wet the baking soda with some water and scrub away the dead skin cells! Your skin will thank you later!
Also Read: What is the Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder?