GERD, an acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease, results when the contents of the stomach flow -- or reflux -- backward into the esophagus. Stomach contents are highly acidic and these acids irritate the tissues of the esophagus, producing heartburn. MedlinePlus says that other symptoms of GERD include the feeling that food is trapped behind the breastbone and nausea after eating. Baking soda is a popular home remedy for GERD symptoms, but its high sodium content makes it a poor choice for people who suffer from high blood pressure and other salt-sensitive conditions.
Definition
Baking soda is a fine white powder composed of sodium bicarbonate, also known as bicarbonate of soda. In the 1997 edition of the "Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia," food scientist M. Eugene Ensminger writes that baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, was initially conceived as a fast-acting alternative to yeast for leavening bread and other baked goods. When baking soda is combined with acid, the resulting chemical reaction neutralizes the acid and produces bubbles of carbon dioxide that confer a light, airy texture to baked goods.
Significance
In the 2004 edition of "Heartburn and Reflux for Dummies," writer Carol Ann Rinzler and gastroenterologist Ken DeVault suggest drinking 1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in an 8 oz. glass of water to temporarily treat the burning sensation caused by acid reflux. However, this home remedy contains 1,280 mg of sodium per serving -- 85 percent of the 1,500 mg per day that MedlinePlus suggests as the maximum daily intake for people with high blood pressure. The sodium content in baking soda also poses a problem for people with other salt-sensitive conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease and cirrhosis of the liver.
Safety
Rinzler and DeVault write that there are other reasons why you should not rely on baking soda as a treatment for GERD. The same carbon dioxide gas that lightens baked goods increases pressure in your stomach, increasing the likelihood that GERD symptoms will recur. Using a lot of baking soda may result in a complication known as metabolic alkalosis. Symptoms, according to MedlinePlus, include confusion, tremors, twitching, numbness, nausea and lightheadedness. If you experience them, contact your doctor or go to the emergency room.
Effectiveness
Baking soda and over-the-counter antacids work fast, but they offer only temporary and usually incomplete relief. Of the two, Rinzler and DeVault recommend over-the-counter antacids over baking soda. However, Rinzler and DeVault say that neither works as well as over-the-counter H2 blockers or prescription proton pump inhibitors. The problem with H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors is that they take two to three hours to work, making them a poor choice for controlling symptoms that are already under way.
Considerations
Medications -- especially over-the-counter H2 blockers -- sometimes interact with each other in a way that increases side effects or decreases effectiveness.If you take medications for high blood pressure, ask your doctor to recommend both a short- and long-acting medication that you can use when your GERD flares up. For people with high blood pressure, diet changes to control GERD become even more important. If you have trouble implementing them, ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian.
References
- MedlinePlus: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- MedlinePlus: Sodium in Diet
- MedlinePlus: Alkalosis
- "Heartburn and Reflux for Dummies"; Carol Ann Rinzler, M.A. and Ken DeVault, M.D.; 2004
- "Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia"; M. Eugene Ensminger, Ph.D. and Audrey Ensminger; 1997
