Many people use baking soda as a home remedy for heartburn or indigestion. It can neutralize stomach acid, so it may give you fast relief.
Because it works quickly, you may feel better within minutes. But the relief fades fast, so it’s a short-term fix. It’s not a long-term solution and isn’t safe for everyone or for treating symptoms that happen often.
Why baking soda can relieve heartburn
Baking soda is another name for sodium bicarbonate. “Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes stomach acid quickly, so it can ease the burning feeling in your chest or throat,” said Rose Macalister, an internal medicine nurse practitioner with Banner Health. Baking soda treats the symptoms, not the reason reflux is happening in the first place.
Is baking soda safe for acid reflux?
It can be safe for some people, in limited amounts. The main concern is the high amount of sodium. A half teaspoon of baking soda has about 600 milligrams of sodium, which is around 25 percent of the amount you should have in a day. That means it isn’t a good choice for everyone.
Taking baking soda for heartburn may cause these health risks:
- It may raise your blood pressure
- It can be risky if you have heart disease or kidney disease or you follow a low-sodium diet
- It can affect your electrolyte levels if you use it too often
It can also cause gas, which can make you burp or feel bloated.
You shouldn’t turn to baking soda instead of medical care if your symptoms keep coming back. If you have frequent heartburn, it’s important to get checked because it could be that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is causing it.
How much baking soda is safe?
“When used for indigestion, use a half teaspoon dissolved in a quarter cup of water only once a day,” Macalister said.
Don’t take more than recommended amounts and do not use it regularly or long term without talking to a doctor. If you have heartburn daily, you need diagnosis and treatment from a health care professional, not home care.
When heartburn may be something more serious
Frequent or severe symptoms may be a sign of GERD. Watch for:
- Heartburn that happens several times a week
- Persistent cough
- Unexplained weight loss
Get care right away for:
- Trouble swallowing
- Chest pain
- Vomiting
- Black stools
If you notice warning signs, get medical help. Don’t rely on home remedies. A health care provider can help figure out what’s behind the symptoms and what treatment makes sense.
Better long-term solutions for indigestion
These lifestyle changes don’t work overnight but they can make a real difference over time if you stick with them consistently:
- Eat smaller meals to help reduce pressure on your stomach
- Avoid trigger foods like spicy or acidic foods and carbonated drinks
- Stay upright for a few hours after eating so gravity can help move your food from your stomach to your small intestine
- Maintain a healthy weight, since belly fat adds pressure to your stomach
Medications may also help. Over-the-counter (OTC) medication options include:
- Antacids, which neutralize stomach acid for fast, short-term relief
- H2 blockers like Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine) or Zantac (ranitidine), which reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces for longer-lasting relief
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium (esomeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole) and Prilosec (omeprazole) stop your stomach from producing acid for up to 12 hours
If you don’t get enough relief from OTC options, you may need prescription reflux treatment to control your symptoms and lower your risk of complications.
If symptoms keep returning, schedule a visit with your primary care provider or a GI specialist. A provider can review your symptoms, perform testing and recommend a treatment plan to get your symptoms under control.
The bottom line
Baking soda can temporarily relieve heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid but it is not a long-term solution. If heartburn keeps coming back, it’s worth getting checked by a health care provider instead of trying to manage it on your own.
If you have frequent heartburn or indigestion, a Banner Health provider can help identify the cause and recommend safe, effective treatment options.
FAQs about baking soda and heartburn
Does baking soda help heartburn right away?
It can provide quick, short-term relief by neutralizing acid.
Is baking soda safe to take every day?
No it is not recommended for regular or long-term use.
Can baking soda cure acid reflux?
No. It only treats symptoms, not the underlying cause.
When should you see a doctor for heartburn?
If symptoms happen often or include warning signs like trouble swallowing or chest pain.
