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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- MayoClinic.com; Sodium Bicarbonate; November 2010
- “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise”; Dose-Related Effects of Prolonged Nahco3 Ingestion During High-Intensity Exercise; I.I. Douroudos, et al.; October 2006
- “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise”; Dose-Related Effects of Prolonged Nahco3 Ingestion During High-Intensity Exercise; I.I. Douroudos, et al.; October 2006
- “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise”; Effects of Induced Metabolic Alkalosis on Prolonged Intermittent-Sprint Performance; D. Bishop and B. Claudius; May 2005
- “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise”; Effects of Induced Metabolic Alkalosis on Prolonged Intermittent-Sprint Performance; D. Bishop and B. Claudius; May 2005
- “Canadian Journal of Microbiology”; Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Antibacterial Activities of Canadian Honeys; K. Brudzynsk; December 2006
- “Canadian Journal of Microbiology”; Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Antibacterial Activities of Canadian Honeys; K. Brudzynsk; December 2006
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Sodium Bicarbonate & Hydrogen Peroxide's Health Benefits
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide are two common household items known for a wide variety of uses. They are particularly popular for homemade health care treatments because they’re easily available and inexpensive. Since both products have relatively few side effects in small doses, they can be effective tools to add to your medicine cabinet.
Antimicrobial
Hydrogen peroxide has frequent use as an antimicrobial and antiseptic in the treatment of minor wounds or in disinfecting items like toothbrushes. The hydrogen peroxide content of honey accounts for honey’s antimicrobial properties 2. A Canadian study published in the “Canadian Journal of Microbiology” in December 2006 found that the higher the peroxide content of various types of honey, the more effective it was as a topical antimicrobial agent in the treatment of burns and wounds 5.
Athletic Performance
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Some athletes use baking soda to enhance anaerobic performance in hopes the soda can buffer lactic acid that builds up in the muscles during exercise. Research in Greece, published in October 2006 in “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise,” verified such claims 3. It showed that administration of baking soda helped prevent acid-base balance disturbances and improved performance during anaerobic exercise in study subjects. A separate study in Australia, published in the same journal in May 2005, found that giving sodium bicarbonate to sprinters improved their short-term, repeated-sprint ability.
- Some athletes use baking soda to enhance anaerobic performance in hopes the soda can buffer lactic acid that builds up in the muscles during exercise.
- A separate study in Australia, published in the same journal in May 2005, found that giving sodium bicarbonate to sprinters improved their short-term, repeated-sprint ability.
Dental Care
Miyasaki, et al. ; September 1986'). In addition, you frequently can find both substances alone or together in over-the-counter dental products to whiten teeth. Many people use them to make homemade toothpaste. Peroxide is also helpful in treating the painful mouth ulcers known as canker sores.
- In addition, you frequently can find both substances alone or together in over-the-counter dental products to whiten teeth.
Indigestion
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Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes excess stomach acid. When mixed in a glass of water, it relieves heartburn, sour stomach or acid indigestion. Doctors sometimes prescribe it to treat symptoms of stomach or duodenal ulcers. However, avoid using sodium bicarbonate if you are on a sodium-restricted diet or have kidney disease without first consulting your health care provider.
- Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes excess stomach acid.
- Doctors sometimes prescribe it to treat symptoms of stomach or duodenal ulcers.
Kidney Stones
Sodium bicarbonate may be able to prevent uric acid kidney stones by making your urine less acidic. It’s particularly useful if you’ve already experienced uric acid stones due to a buildup of excess acid in your urine and may be able to dissolve pre-existing stones. Since there are potential side effects, such as too much sodium in your blood or an increase in the risk of forming another type of stones, calcium kidney stones, check with your doctor before using sodium bicarbonate for this purpose.
Related Articles
References
- MayoClinic.com; Sodium Bicarbonate; November 2010
- ) “Journal of Dental Research”; Antimicrobial Properties of Hydrogen Peroxide and Sodium Bicarbonate Individually and in Combination Against Selected Oral, Gram-negative, Facultative Bacteria; K.T. Miyasaki, et al.; September 1986
- “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise”; Dose-Related Effects of Prolonged Nahco3 Ingestion During High-Intensity Exercise; I.I. Douroudos, et al.; October 2006
- “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise”; Effects of Induced Metabolic Alkalosis on Prolonged Intermittent-Sprint Performance; D. Bishop and B. Claudius; May 2005
- “Canadian Journal of Microbiology”; Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Antibacterial Activities of Canadian Honeys; K. Brudzynsk; December 2006
- Krustrup P, Ermidis G, Mohr M. Sodium bicarbonate intake improves high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in trained young men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:25. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0087-6
- McNaughton LR, Siegler J, Midgley A. Ergogenic effects of sodium bicarbonate. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2008;7(4):230–236. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e31817ef530
- Hadzic M, Eckstein ML, Schugardt M. The impact of sodium bicarbonate on performance in response to exercise duration in athletes: A systematic review. J Sports Sci Med. 2019;18(2):271–281.
- Wan JJ, Qin Z, Wang PY, Sun Y, Liu X. Muscle fatigue: general understanding and treatment. Exp Mol Med. 2017;49(10):e384. doi:10.1038/emm.2017.194
- Carr AJ, Slater GJ, Gore CJ, Dawson B, Burke LM. Effect of sodium bicarbonate on [HCO3-], pH, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2011;21(3):189–194. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.21.3.189
- Schwalfenberg GK. The alkaline diet: is there evidence that an alkaline pH diet benefits health?. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:727630. doi:10.1155/2012/727630
- Mero AA, Hirvonen P, Saarela J. et al. Effect of sodium bicarbonate and beta-alanine supplementation on maximal sprint swimming. J Int Soc Sports Nutr . 2013;10:52. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-52
- Edge J, Bishop D, Goodman C. Effects of chronic NaHCO3 ingestion during interval training on changes to muscle buffer capacity, metabolism, and short-term endurance performance. J Appl Physiol. 2006;101(3):918–925. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01534.2005
- Driller MW, Gregory JR, Williams AD, Fell JW. The effects of chronic sodium bicarbonate ingestion and interval training in highly trained rowers. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2013;23(1):40–47. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.23.1.40
- Saunders B, Sale C, Harris RC, Sunderland C. Sodium bicarbonate and high-intensity-cycling capacity: variability in responses. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2014;9(4):627–632. doi:10.1123/ijspp.2013-0295
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Writer Bio
Bonnie Singleton has been writing professionally since 1996. She has written for various newspapers and magazines including "The Washington Times" and "Woman's World." She also wrote for the BBC-TV news magazine "From Washington" and worked for Discovery Channel online for more than a decade. Singleton holds a master's degree in musicology from Florida State University and is a member of the American Independent Writers.