7 Benefits of Baking Soda for Hair, Skin, and Body

1. Treat Heartburn

Heartburn is one of those relatively harmless conditions that make you feel like your chest is going to explode. Also known as acid reflux, heartburn occurs when stomach acid creeps up out of your stomach and enters the throat. Chronic heartburn can cause permanent damage to the esophagus, but even if you just get hit after overindulging in rich or spicy food, the pain is enough to make you crazy.

Baking soda can neutralize stomach acid and provide rapid relief from acid reflux. Just dissolve a teaspoon of it in some cold water and drink the mixture slowly. (Gulping it can lead to a lot of froth in your stomach that will make you feel bloated.)

2. Freshen Breath & Whiten Teeth

Baking soda is an excellent tool for oral care as well. Studies show that toothpaste containing baking soda is better at breaking down plaque and whitening teeth than toothpaste without it. But you don’t necessarily have to buy the toothpaste to enjoy the benefits. You can make a small amount of paste with baking soda and water, and then dip your toothbrush right in there before brushing.

Baking soda also has strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that make it an excellent mouthwash. Just ½ teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water is enough – swish it around your mouth and spit it out just as you would any other mouthwash. The mixture is great for reaching crevices between and around teeth that might be missed while brushing.