Natural Cure for Heartburn With Sodium Bicarbonate

Heartburn, a burning, usually irritating sensation caused by stomach acid squirting or "refluxing" into the esophagus, sometimes goes by the name "acid reflux." (For a helpful diagram of how heartburn occurs, visit the Mayo Clinic link in the Resources section below.) Heartburn can become worse when you bend over or lie down. Although you can find many products called "antacids" on the market, one household substance---sodium bicarbonate---can significantly reduce discomfort associated with heartburn.

Sodium Bicarbonate

• Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a household product commonly used in baked goods. While baking soda has a number of uses, including putting out small grease fires, it also eliminates heartburn. One teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water and taken orally reduces the sensation of heartburn within seconds.

Why Does it Work?

• Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes acids, and as such can reduce acid levels in the esophagus. For a visual example of how this process works, try mixing a little baking soda with a small amount of household vinegar. Since vinegar is acidic, the fizzing reaction that occurs when you mix the two substances results from the sodium bicarbonate neutralizing the acid.

Dangers of Too Much Sodium Bicarbonate

• Make sure you only take a small amount of baking soda solution at any given time, since alkaline substances can neutralize most if not all acids in the stomach, causing the stomach to create more acid. This can, in turn, lead to more heartburn, which will cause you to ingest more baking soda solution and start a dangerous cycle. Also, too much sodium, an ingredient in sodium bicarbonate, can contribute to heart disease. For these reasons, consult a physician if heartburn recurs on a regular basis, such as multiple times a day for two or more days in a row.