Such a simple, well-known and popular recipe as soda for heartburn works if a person has high acidity. The almost instant effect, which relieves unpleasant sensations, made this remedy widespread, and the general misconception about its harmlessness contributed to its spread. But only a few know that treating heartburn with soda is in fact not a treatment at all, but only temporary relief of a symptom of a disease that can lead to negative consequences in the future.
By removing a symptom, it is impossible to eliminate the disease that caused it. The question of whether it is possible to drink soda for heartburn has been repeatedly raised in discussions and debates, but there is no single point of view on this matter.
Proponents of the method believe that heartburn fizzy drink or soda diluted in water do not cause any harm to the body. At the same time, opponents of the method advise not to abuse such methods and refrain from drinking soda if you have heartburn, but rather try to start treating the disease that contributed to the painful condition.
Baking soda for heartburn is a double-edged sword that should be used with caution.
Mechanism of action of soda
Why does baking soda help with heartburn? Soda, or scientifically sodium bicarbonate, when dissolved in water creates an alkaline environment. And heartburn, as you know, usually appears when stomach contents soaked in acid are thrown into the esophagus. When taken orally, a solution of soda neutralizes the hydrochloric acid of gastric juice; as a result of a chemical reaction, the salt sodium chloride and carbonic acid are formed, which breaks down into water and carbon monoxide gas.
That is why, when drinking soda, such unpleasant symptoms as bitterness in the mouth, sour belching, discomfort and burning behind the sternum go away. The result after taking sodium bicarbonate orally occurs very quickly.
The use of soda for heartburn is based on its following properties:
- It reduces the content of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice, resulting in a burning sensation along the esophagus.
- When using sodium bicarbonate, the amount of the digestive enzyme pepsin is reduced, and it is precisely when there is an excess of it in the body that heartburn appears.
- Soda helps stop unwanted reactions that appear after taking medications such as Vikalin, Vikair, etc. Soda can eliminate the side effects that occur when taking Vikair
You should only take baking soda for heartburn after consulting your doctor. The fact is that unpleasant symptoms can be eliminated only in the absence of diseases of the digestive system.
Important! Treating heartburn with soda is unacceptable. When using it, only a temporary effect is observed, since it does not eliminate the root cause of the discomfort. Some time after using it, heartburn will appear again and will be even stronger, so treating it with soda is harmful. The fact is that the carbon dioxide released during neutralization acts on the cells that are responsible for the production of hydrochloric acid, and it begins to be produced in even greater quantities and heartburn appears again. This property of soda is called “acid rebound”.
Taking a solution of soda for heartburn, despite the fact that it quickly causes a burning sensation in the chest and bitterness in the mouth, is permissible only once, and not constantly. If heartburn occurs frequently, it is important to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible, as it may indicate a dangerous disease.
Fighting heartburn: folk recipes
There are many home remedies that can help get rid of severe heartburn and burning sensation in the chest. One of the first places among them is affordable and affordable sodium bicarbonate. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with what traditional medicine offers for treating heartburn with soda. All fizzy drinks with this substance are easy to prepare. Here are the most effective options for using soda for heartburn. Sodium bicarbonate based recipes are simple and effective.
Classic recipe
The proportions are as follows:
- 1 tbsp. l. soda;
- half a glass of water.
Most fans of traditional medicine say that baking soda with water for heartburn is less effective than the recipes suggested below. In their opinion, the effectiveness of home therapy increases if the miracle cocktail contains other components that have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Option with honey
Few people know that this beekeeping product is not only indicated for insomnia, but also helps against heartburn by regulating the acid-base balance in the body and lowering the pH of the stomach. This method is different from the others. The fact is that soda mixed with honey should be taken in the evening before bed.
You will need:
- 1 tsp. sodium bicarbonate;
- 1 tsp. liquid honey;
- 1 glass of water.
If adding honey doesn't do much to improve the taste of the fizz, dilute the cocktail with ¼ tbsp. warm water.
Recipe with lemon juice
Adherents of traditional medicine sing the praises of this method of getting rid of heartburn at home. When consuming citrus juice, calcium carbonate is produced, which neutralizes the harmful effects of digestive acids. You will need:
- ½ tsp. baking soda;
- a couple drops of lemon juice.
With apple cider vinegar
Natural vinegar improves digestion and helps balance pH. To prepare a rescue cocktail you will need:
- ¼ tsp. baking soda;
- 2 tbsp. l. apple cider vinegar;
- warm water - 200 ml.
“Mix cocktail”: a remedy for heartburn
This method is more effective than the previous ones, since it contains 3 active components at once. All of them have a positive effect on stomach acidity. So, for cooking you will need:
- 1 tsp. sodium bicarbonate;
- a few drops of natural apple cider vinegar;
- a couple of drops of lemon juice;
- warm water - 1 glass.
In this recipe (as in the previous one), you need to use 6% apple cider vinegar. Do not forget that a product with 9% acid has a negative effect on the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
Ginger remedy
In folk medicine you can find many recipes using the “horned root”. This option is used for severe attacks of heartburn and nausea. You will need:
- 2.5 cm ginger root;
- 2-3 drops of lemon juice;
- ¼ tsp. baking soda;
- 250 ml. water.
How to properly prepare a miracle cocktail:
- Grate the ginger root. Pour it into cold water and boil over low heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Let the broth cool to a comfortable temperature, and then strain it.
- Add soda and lemon juice to the ginger drink.
Causes of heartburn
Typical heartburn usually manifests itself like this. Burning and discomfort appear and begin to increase in the upper chest. Then all these unpleasant symptoms move up from the diaphragm to the throat. Heartburn is usually accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth and a sense of taste of the food eaten.
This problem occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus and causes irritation. This can happen when the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that opens and closes between the esophagus and the stomach, weakens or relaxes and does not perform its function. Instead of just opening when food needs to get into the stomach, it can open at other times, causing stomach acid to be released into the esophagus.
Most people experience heartburn usually after eating, but some people experience milder or more severe heartburn at other times. Medically this is called acid reflux. If a person experiences it more than twice a week, it is imperative to consult a doctor to determine the cause of heartburn. If left untreated, it can cause ulcers in the esophagus and may cause esophageal cancer.
The following can cause heartburn:
- Fatty or very spicy foods;
- Carbonated drinks;
- Alcohol;
- Citrus;
- Tomatoes;
- Mint and drinks with it;
- Raw onions in dishes;
- Sweets.
In addition, heartburn can result from:
- Binge eating;
- Passion for smoking;
- Tight and tight clothing;
- Stress;
- Excess weight;
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Pregnant women often experience heartburn, especially during pregnancy, when the growing fetus puts pressure on the pancreas, which stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
What is heartburn and why does it appear?
Heartburn is a burning sensation behind the breastbone that spreads upward along the esophagus. It is often accompanied by a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, nausea, bloating, belching and a feeling of fullness in the stomach. The symptom may worsen in a horizontal position, as well as when performing physical exercises that involve bending the body forward.
The cause of the discomfort is the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, which irritates the delicate mucous membrane of the organ and causes a burning sensation.
In severe cases, gastric juice rises high, then the burning sensation is accompanied by a cough, a change in voice and a sore throat. Heartburn is a symptom of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - esophagitis, gastric ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has been used by people for a very long time for a variety of purposes. As a medical product, soda solution is used to rinse the mouth and throat, wash mucous membranes and neutralize certain chemicals. Baking soda is especially often used to relieve heartburn, due to its properties:
- Soda is a natural antacid. Immediately after entering the stomach, sodium bicarbonate binds hydrochloric acid to form water and salt, thereby shifting the pH to the alkaline side and eliminating the burning sensation.
- A soda solution can reduce the concentration of pepsin, which is responsible for the synthesis of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
- The use of soda in combination with other adsorbents and enveloping agents helps reduce the likelihood of side effects when treated with aggressive drugs.
Is soda harmful for heartburn and does it have the same properties as synthetic antacids? In fact, sodium bicarbonate works in much the same way as medications, but its effect is short-lived. Despite the widespread use of this folk recipe for the treatment of heartburn, it is not recommended to use it often.
Soda for heartburn. Will it help or hurt?
People who have chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and often suffer from heartburn always have a suitable antacid drug on hand.
But for those who rarely experience heartburn, the necessary remedy may not be in the home medicine cabinet at the right time.
In such cases, to cope with it, they resort to a folk remedy familiar to everyone, often without even asking the question: “Can I drink soda for heartburn?”
How to drink soda for heartburn? Can you drink baking soda if you have heartburn? It is important to remember that heartburn itself is not a disease, but a concomitant symptom of a disease of any organ of the digestive system.
Therefore, if attacks of heartburn are frequent and occur even with a normal diet, there is a serious pathology, and there can be no question of extinguishing heartburn with alkali.
Only a doctor can determine the true cause of this condition and prescribe treatment aimed at eliminating the underlying disease.
Constant heartburn accompanies the following diseases:
- chronic gastritis with high or low acidity
- pancreatitis
- gastroesophageal reflux
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum
- cholecystitis
- malignant and benign tumors
If such pathologies occur, treatment with this substance will not only not help, but will also cause significant harm to the body.
To permanently get rid of this problem, only special medications are allowed - antacids, which neutralize hydrochloric acid without causing side effects.
There are also many folk remedies: for any disease, boiled milk at room temperature, flax seed, fresh potato juice, slightly alkaline still mineral water, calamus root, decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs will help relieve a burning sensation.
Drinking soda is allowed if the symptoms of the disease appear occasionally, with the abuse of fatty or spicy foods, alcohol, or after overeating.
In such cases, it is permissible to use soda, but you need to do it correctly. It is very dangerous when soda is not diluted with water. Once in the stomach, it burns the mucous membrane and contributes to the formation of ulcers.
It is best to make a soda solution for heartburn: dissolve ½ teaspoon of soda in 100 grams of boiled water at a temperature of about 37 degrees.
The resulting mixture should be drunk in small sips; any undissolved sediment should be thrown away.
In order for the effect of the medicine to be noticeable, you must use fresh soda; after taking the product, it is good to take a horizontal position and take off your tight clothes, corset, or harness.
If all these measures are followed, the attack will pass in 10-15 minutes.
But not everyone can drink this solution, since, prepared in this way, it has a very unpleasant taste and smell. There is another recipe for a product with soda, which is popularly called “fizzy drink”.
It is prepared with the addition of acid, which extinguishes the soda and makes the medicine look like sparkling water.
Popsicles can be prepared in several ways:
- Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, then add 0.5 tsp. quality apple cider vinegar.
- In 80 ml of water, stir ¼ teaspoon of soda and 1/3 tsp. citric acid or freshly squeezed lemon juice. You can add 1 tsp. Sahara.
In order for these products to have an antacid effect, it is necessary to add less acid than soda. The water should be boiled and the soda should be fresh.
Although any of the soda remedies described are good for heartburn, they should not be used for a long time. Soda is not a product that can be introduced into the body in unlimited quantities.
How many days can you take the soda solution? It is wrong to think that there are no restrictions on its use. The product will help get rid of heartburn for one to two weeks, then the side effects of this treatment will appear.
How to prepare a soda solution
How to get rid of heartburn with soda? There are many ways to make a soda solution that helps cope with heartburn.
The most basic recipe for using soda for heartburn is to dissolve 1 tsp. soda in 100 ml of warm water. The finished solution should be drunk slowly, in small sips. There is no need to drink the entire contents of the glass: it is advisable to pour out the rest. After drinking the soda solution, it is recommended to take a horizontal position. It is not advisable to consume more than 1 glass of alkaline solution per day.
Some people prefer to make fizzy drinks when they have heartburn. For 200 ml of water you need to dissolve 0.5 tsp. apple cider vinegar and add 1 tsp. sodium bicarbonate, as soon as the solution begins to foam, drink immediately.
Baking soda in combination with vinegar has a more gentle effect on the stomach.
There is another way to make pop: 0.25 tsp. dilute citric acid in 1 tbsp. water, add 0.5 tsp. drink soda as soon as foam appears.
When preparing effervescent solutions, you must strictly observe the proportions.
To prepare solutions, you need to take crumbly soda and boiled and warm water. The cold solution does not relieve heartburn. The optimal water temperature is 37 degrees.
The effect of soda is noticeable within 10 minutes after taking it.
After taking the alkaline solution, you should not immediately proceed to eating.
Important! It is permissible to take fizzy drink if you experience heartburn not associated with diseases such as ulcers, oncology, chronic gastritis, hiatal hernia, inflammation of the gallbladder and duodenum.
Why is baking soda harmful?
Under no circumstances is this solution recommended for regular use. Once in the body, soda combines with hydrochloric acid of the stomach, a reaction occurs in which a large amount of carbon dioxide is released.
Carbon dioxide affects the cells of the stomach, causing them to secrete gastric juice in even greater quantities and, as a result, heartburn returns.
This effect in medicine is called “acid rebound” and if you take baking soda to relieve heartburn more than 2-3 times a week, you can only worsen your condition.
Soda consumed in large quantities is harmful for another reason.
It, like table salt, is a sodium compound, and excess sodium in the body negatively affects the condition of blood vessels, as a result of which the functioning of the cardiovascular system can be affected.
In addition, an excess of alkaline substances negatively affects kidney function, swelling appears, and blood pressure increases.
As a result of high sodium levels, the risk of developing osteoporosis, diabetes, and urolithiasis increases.
It is for this reason that nutritionists advise reducing the amount of salt consumed; you should not give the body an additional sodium load in the form of soda drinks.
It is important to know
Heartburn, as the main sign of increased acidity in the stomach, is successfully neutralized with an aqueous solution of soda. This easy-to-use method of eliminating the consequences of hydrochloric acid spills has been actively used for a long time. However, in order not to harm the body, you need to follow some recommendations and visit a gastroenterologist’s office.
Heartburn can be caused by a number of digestive system dysfunctions. The destructive effect of gastric juice on the mucous surface of the esophageal canal occurs due to pathologies such as reflux esophagitis , chronic gastritis , hiatal hernia , gastric ulcers and other associated anomalies.
In addition, heartburn can occur due to overeating, eating low-quality foods and side effects from medications.
Symptoms of excess sodium in the body
- increased sweating
- constant and intense thirst
- nervous excitability
- feeling very tired
- the appearance of edema
Another argument against the frequent use of alkali with such symptoms is a violation of the ratio of acid and alkali. Violation of the acid-base balance entails serious problems.
Potassium is excreted from the body, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the muscular, cardiac system, and kidney function.
Potassium deficiency manifests itself in muscle weakness (sometimes even paralysis is possible), heart rhythm disturbances, difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure.
Drowsiness, allergic manifestations, nausea, constipation, and decreased urine output are also possible.
To compensate for the lack of potassium, you should introduce foods high in potassium into your diet: dried apricots, jacket potatoes, nuts.
Soda is a long-known antacid.
The medicine sodium bicarbonate has been used for a very long time. An aqueous solution is prescribed against motion sickness during seasickness, for washing mucous membranes when irritating substances come into contact with them.
Gastroenterologists were interested in this drug because it affects the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach. Baking soda is primarily used for heartburn because it has the following effects.
- After administration, it quickly neutralizes hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the stomach, leading to an increase in pH, eliminating the burning sensation in the sternum.
- Significantly reduces the amount of pepsin, which can increase the acidity of gastric juice.
- The combined use of sodium bicarbonate and other adsorbent and enveloping substances (for example, the drugs “Vicair”, “Vicalin”) reduces the number of side effects of such drugs, increasing their medicinal properties.
Baking soda has all the properties of absorbable antacids, to which bicarbonate belongs. Is it really possible to drink soda when you have heartburn? - yes, but, unfortunately, its effect is short-lived. Of course, it is often used in everyday life to get rid of this unpleasant symptom, however, it is not advisable to use it as a permanent drug.
Contraindications
Pregnant women should be especially careful with it, for whom heartburn is not uncommon, especially in the third trimester.
Since many women often suffer from edema during pregnancy, it can aggravate the situation. At any stage of pregnancy with such a symptom, the safest drug is Rennie.
It perfectly helps relieve an attack of heartburn and the permissible number of tablets that can be taken per day is 16 pieces. The medicine is effective and will not harm the body of mother and baby.
Since these attacks are very rare, but still sometimes children suffer, it is important to know whether it is acceptable for a child to drink such a solution?
The fizzy drink recipe, which contains lemon juice and sugar, seems quite harmless and maybe the baby will drink it with pleasure.
But children should not take this medicine under any circumstances. If an adult tolerates this substance in a small amount painlessly, then for a child the effect of “acid rebound” will occur immediately.
Only an experienced doctor can give advice on treating the disease in young children; choosing a medicine on your own in such cases is unacceptable.
In addition, there are a number of diseases in which soda is prohibited for use for heartburn.
These are, first of all, chronic diseases of the digestive system, kidney failure, hypertension, and heart failure.
Taking into account all the negative points listed, you should think carefully before drinking a soda solution just because it helps neutralize it well. Instead of this remedy, it is good to have an inexpensive antacid drug in your home medicine cabinet and use it every time heartburn bothers you.
And, of course, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time and treat diseases that provoke heartburn attacks.
How effective is soda against heartburn: pros and cons
Many patients suffering from heartburn are interested in whether it is possible to drink soda for heartburn, and whether its use is harmful to the body. It is permissible to take baking soda for quick relief of the condition in the absence of gentle antacids, if this symptom occurs rarely in a person. Prolonged heartburn requires close attention, as it is usually a symptom of some disease; if it occurs, it is better to visit a doctor and not self-medicate, which can do more harm than good.
The benefits of the product include:
- availability and low cost:
- fast action.
There are many more disadvantages:
- Sodium bicarbonate can only temporarily relieve unpleasant sensations, but does not in any way affect the cause of their occurrence, i.e., does not contribute to healing.
- When sodium bicarbonate interacts with gastric acid, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released, which irritates the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, which can provoke increased production of hydrochloric acid.
- The effect of using a soda solution is short-lived, after which the patient’s condition may worsen.
- An increase in the amount of sodium in the body can lead to increased blood pressure and the development of edema of the upper and lower extremities.
- When using sodium bicarbonate, headaches, increased irritability, bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may occur.
This product should not be used if:
- a number of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- gastritis;
- peptic ulcer;
- during pregnancy and lactation (pregnant women often experience swelling, sodium can aggravate it).
In addition to a burning sensation in the esophagus, a patient with heartburn may experience belching, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, heaviness in the stomach, and flatulence. You must understand that soda will not help solve all these problems.
Is it possible to drink soda for heartburn during pregnancy?
Pregnant women often experience heartburn. This is facilitated not only by the pressure of the growing fetus on the digestive organs, but also by changes in hormonal levels. Many expectant mothers wonder if they can drink soda for heartburn. There are recommendations that strictly prohibit the use of soda not only during pregnancy, but during breastfeeding.
Of course, if you often suffer from heartburn, you should definitely consult a doctor so that he can prescribe the appropriate treatment. In addition, you should avoid eating foods that cause heartburn. But what if she did appear?
To answer this question, you need to consider all the pros and cons of its use as an antacid.
Pros. The good news is that there has been no scientific evidence of any negative effects of baking soda on the fetus. In fact, it is considered safer than some over-the-counter medications. It can effectively fight the acids that your body produces and hence relieve you from heartburn.
When ingested, baking soda reacts with the acid in the stomach. The reaction produces typical salt, water and carbon dioxide, which are harmless.
It is recommended to completely dissolve the baking soda powder in water and then consume it. If the acidity level becomes high, you can dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water and stir it thoroughly before drinking. Even during lactation, baking soda will not cause any problems as it is not known to affect the quality of breast milk.
Minuses. Soda contains sodium, which helps retain water in the body and leads to swelling. And many pregnant women also often suffer from this disease. This is why they are most often recommended to eat a low sodium diet.
Taking baking soda as an antacid may help reduce heartburn, but it may cause more swelling, especially if you already suffer from it.
Therefore, you should definitely talk to your doctor about this topic. But if you don’t have anything at hand yet, you can drink a solution of baking soda once a day as first aid. But be sure to see a doctor in the morning. You can't drink it constantly. In addition, there are some contraindications and side effects, which will be discussed below.
Lemon pop with soda
In this form, the anti-heartburn soda recipe that we give is not advisable to use on a full stomach. The ideal time to drink lemon pop is in the morning, before breakfast.
Take a glass of chilled boiled water, add half a teaspoon of soda and a teaspoon of lemon juice . Mix all the ingredients of the medicine thoroughly. When the characteristic hiss of the solution appears, drink it immediately. The use of an effervescent solution is limited to 1 dose per day .
Side effects when taking soda for heartburn
Common side effects of baking soda include increased gas and bloating.
You may experience increased thirst or stomach cramps. If these side effects persist for a long time, you should immediately consult a doctor.
More serious side effects are rare and may include:
- The presence of blood in urine, stool or vomit;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Loss of appetite;
- Muscle spasms and cramps;
- Nausea;
- Severe headache;
- swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet;
- Weakness or lethargy.
Anyone experiencing any of the above symptoms should stop taking baking soda and consult a doctor immediately.
If a person experiences heartburn for more than 2 weeks, they should see a doctor.
Video: how to treat heartburn
Occasionally, heartburn can bother completely healthy people; this happens when the diet is disrupted, stress, or eating unusual foods. Simple rules will help to minimize the risk of unpleasant burning:
- Stop smoking, do not abuse alcohol.
- Eat small meals often and chew your food thoroughly. Avoid fatty, spicy and fried foods, strong coffee and tea, raw fruits and vegetables.
- Resist the temptation to lie down after a hearty lunch. Don't eat for at least two hours before bed.
Single attacks of heartburn can be extinguished with a baking soda solution, but if they occur frequently, you should consult a doctor and undergo an examination. A burning sensation often signals health problems that require a course of treatment rather than simply eliminating discomfort.
Interaction with other drugs
If you are taking any medications, you should not take them earlier than two hours after drinking the soda solution. It reduces the acidity of the stomach, which can interfere with their absorption by the body and lead to destruction.
Additionally, baking soda may interact with certain types of medications:
- Amphetamine;
- Aspirin;
- Benzphetamine;
- Dextroamphetamine;
- Ferrous sulfate;
- Ketoconazole;
- Methamphetamine;
- Cyclosporine.
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, it is always important to tell your doctor about your medications when discussing the use of baking soda as an antacid. SOURCES: https://ozhivote.ru/soda-pri-izzhoge/ https://ekolekar.com/soda-ot-izzhogi.html https://jeludokbolit.ru/izzhoga/soda-ot-izzhogi-mozhno-li -pit-sodu-pri-izzhoge.html
Undesirable effects of soda
Why can't you relieve heartburn with soda? Soda is an absorbable adsorbent, which is responsible for some of the side effects of this product. One of these effects is the so-called acid rebound. This phrase hides the special effect of baking soda: after neutralizing the acid and alleviating the condition, after some time the unpleasant symptom returns with renewed vigor. What is this connected with?
In fact, the positive effect of using soda as an antacid is imaginary.
As a result of the interaction of sodium bicarbonate and hydrochloric acid, salt, water, carbon dioxide and a large number of sodium ions are formed, which have a powerful alkaline effect. Carbon dioxide and sodium ions affect secretory cells located in the gastric mucosa and responsible for the secretion of hydrochloric acid. As a result of this interaction, the cells begin to intensively produce gastric juice, increasing the rate of its secretion to the maximum possible. This is the phenomenon of acid rebound - a sharp increase in the level of acidity in the stomach.
If a person suffers from any stomach disease, after a very short time after taking the soda solution, heartburn will begin again, but the symptom will manifest itself more intensely, often in combination with pain. In such cases, you can take soda only in emergency cases, using it as a method of relieving symptoms before going to the pharmacy for medicine.
Symptom of “acid rebound” from the use of soda
This side effect can be clearly seen using the example of using sodium bicarbonate, that is, soda. Acid rebound is typical for any absorbed antacid, but after using soda it is more indicative, as it happens more often. This happens step by step as follows.
- After taking baking soda for heartburn, the secretion of hydrochloric acid decreases, but not for long. When they interact, carbon dioxide is released, which affects the parietal cells of the stomach (which produce hydrochloric acid).
- CO2 (carbon dioxide) stimulates the work of the same cells and HCL begins to be produced with renewed vigor.
- Hydrochloric acid is released again, but in a larger volume, as a result of which heartburn appears again.
Therefore, the drug must be taken often and for a long time.
Lifestyle change
Lifestyle changes in patients with GERD have shown good results in relieving symptoms:
- refusal of foods high in fat 2-3 hours before taking a horizontal position;
- weight loss if you are overweight or obese;
- sleep with the head of the bed raised by 15-20 cm.
A common recommendation is to limit certain foods from the diet. However, a thorough review of more than 2,000 studies found that dietary changes have no effect on reducing reflux symptoms.
The American College of Gastroenterology updated its guidelines in 2013 to remove the dietary intervention. In the updated clinical guidelines, the authors abandoned advice to limit the following foods:
- chocolate;
- wine;
- citrus;
- spicy food;
- mint;
- tomato products.
But some foods (chocolate and carbonated drinks) weaken the cardiac sphincter, which separates the esophagus from the stomach, facilitating the reflux of gastric contents.
For whom soda is contraindicated
Is drinking soda bad for heartburn? A single dose of soda pop is not harmful. But you shouldn't abuse it. Moreover, there are categories of people for whom soda is contraindicated. Due to the large number of side effects, sodium bicarbonate is prohibited from being used:
- pregnant and breastfeeding women;
- people with arterial hypertension (a chronic disease of the cardiovascular system in which blood pressure rises);
- patients with certain chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, pancreatitis.
To summarize, is soda harmful for heartburn? If we are talking about a single dose, then no, it is not harmful. When you need to take soda for heartburn for several days, it is better not to risk your health and use a more modern antacid!
How does soda affect the body?
Does baking soda help with heartburn? - yes, of course, it, like any other antacid, has all their properties. However, with prolonged use, a number of unpleasant consequences can be found.
- Alkalosis or alkalization of the blood (according to the chemical composition, the sodium ions that make up soda are bases; in large doses they saturate the body with alkalis), which will manifest itself primarily in loss of appetite, nausea, repeated vomiting, and cramping abdominal pain. Gradually, symptoms increase, worsening overall health.
- On the part of the nervous system, nervousness, anxiety, constant headaches, and in advanced cases, titanic convulsions (spontaneous prolonged muscle contractions that disrupt the functions of organs) are possible.
- With prolonged use of soda against heartburn, pressure increases, which happens due to the oversaturation of the body with sodium.
- Sodium bicarbonate is absorbed in the intestine, which contributes to the appearance of edema.
- Why else can’t you drink soda when you have heartburn? - it leads to bloating and rumbling in the stomach, diarrhea.
- Areas of irritation may appear on the mucous membranes.
For these symptoms to appear, a very important condition is necessary - frequent, long-term use. After a single use, apart from the “rebound symptom”, a person will not feel anything. But the problem is that antacids are prescribed in courses from three to six times a day. After just a week of drinking soda, many symptoms may appear.