Several scientific studies have examined the health benefits of baking soda and lemon juice separately, but there isn’t much research to support the combined effects of these two ingredients.
This article looks at some of the possible health benefits of consuming mixtures of baking soda and lemon juice.
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A solution of baking soda is alkaline, while lemon juice is acidic.
The idea of combining baking soda and lemon juice is based on basic principles of acidity and pH scale.
Scientists use the pH scale to measure the acidity of a solution. A solution can have a pH level between 0 and 14.
The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution, so:
- pH levels below 7 indicate an acid solution
- pH levels above 7 indicate an alkaline or basic solution
- neutral solutions, such as pure water, have a pH of 7
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a base. This means that when people dissolve baking soda in water, an alkaline solution is formed. For example, a 0.1 molar solution of baking soda has a pH of about 8.3.
Lemon juice contains citric acid and has a pH of around 3. Adding baking soda to lemon juice will raise the pH to produce a more neutral solution.
Skin care
Skin generally has a weakly acidic pH of about 5.7. Bases, like baking soda, will increase the pH of the skin. Higher pH levels can disrupt the skin’s barrier function, which can lead to dryness, excessive oil production, and acne.
Lemon juice seems to have obvious skincare applications because it contains concentrations of vitamin C and citric acid, which provide powerful skin benefits. Citric acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that manufacturers often use in chemical peels.
However, skin cells naturally repel water-soluble molecules, such as vitamin C. This means that very little vitamin C will penetrate the skin.
The high acid content of lemon juice can lower the pH level of the skin. Low pH levels can cause skin irritation, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity to ultraviolet light.
Alternatives
Using a homemade mixture of baking soda and lemon juice can be potentially harmful to your skin. Instead, a person can try using neutral cleansers or chemical peels that contain AHAs, such as glycolic acid.
Excess stomach acid can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as heartburn, vomiting, and indigestion.
Many people with excess stomach acid take over-the-counter (OTC) antacids to relieve their symptoms. Consuming baking soda and lemon juice together can also neutralize stomach acid in a similar way that an antacid does.
A 2017 study examined the antacid effects of various foods. The authors of this study created artificial stomach acid with a pH of 1.2. Although the lemon juice alone had almost no effect, the baking soda successfully neutralized the synthetic stomach acid.
Many over-the-counter antacids contain baking soda and citric acid. Lemons and other citrus fruits are rich sources of natural citric acid.
When a person mixes lemon juice and baking soda, the citric acid reacts with the baking soda to produce a buffer called sodium citrate. A buffer refers to a weak acid or base that prevents drastic changes in pH. Although lemon juice does not neutralize stomach acid, it can help stabilize the pH level within the stomach.
Alternatives
Using baking soda and lemon juice to combat excess stomach acid can be a good home remedy, since effective over-the-counter antacids contain similar ingredients.
However, mixing the correct proportions of baking soda and lemon juice can be difficult.
Consuming a mixture with too much baking soda can cause diarrhea and gaswhile too much lemon juice can cause acid reflux and worsen symptoms.
Other home remedies to reduce excess stomach acid include:
- avoid or reduce acidic foods and drinks
- limit caffeine intake
- limit alcohol consumption
- eat smaller meals
- drinking more water
- get enough sleep
People with severe or persistent acid reflux or heartburn should talk to a doctor or gastroenterologist.
Teeth whitening
Many oral care products contain baking soda due to its antibacterial properties and its ability to remove plaque without eroding tooth enamel.
Baking soda can also help remove surface-level stains from teeth, making it an effective and affordable alternative to traditional teeth whitening. However, there is little evidence to suggest that adding lemon juice to baking soda will enhance the dental benefits of baking soda.
A 2017 report who reviewed 21 studies concluded that toothpaste containing baking soda safely and effectively removed dental stains. However, the report did not include any studies on lemon juice.
It’s also important to note that lemon juice contains high concentrations of citric acid and ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. The acidic compounds can erode enamel and lead to cavities. However, the combination of baking soda and lemon juice should produce a more neutral pH solution.
Alternatives
People interested in whitening their teeth should contact their dentist.
General Considerations and Risks
Sodium bicarbonate can cause side effects, such as thirst and headaches.
Sodium bicarbonate contains sodium bicarbonate, which is an active ingredient in some medications, such as antacids, and can potentially interact with other medications. People who intend to consume baking soda regularly for health reasons they should talk to a doctor first.
The people that have kidney disease or high blood pressure should avoid baking soda because it can increase sodium levels in the blood.
Side effects of baking soda can include:
- Headaches
- nausea and vomiting
- thirst
- stomach ache
- excess gas
- frequent urination
- lower extremity swelling
- fatigue
Lemons contain many essential vitamins and minerals. Lemon juice also contains compounds that have beneficial antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
However, lemon juice it is acidic and using too much can cause side effects. These may include:
- loss of enamel
- dental caries
- acid reflux
- nausea and vomiting