Baking soda, a staple in most households, is often praised for its versatile applications, from cleaning to beauty care, but its benefits go far beyond these everyday uses. Recent research suggests that baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) may provide effective relief for arthritis pain and help combat autoimmune inflammation.
A study by Augusta University’s Department of Physiology found that baking soda can help regulate body pH levels and reduce inflammation. According to Dr. Paul O’Connor, a physiologist and co-author of the study, consuming baking soda helps normalize pH by boosting stomach acid production, which aids digestion and alleviates issues like indigestion. He also stated, “Certainly drinking bicarbonate affects the spleen and we think it’s through the mesothelial cells.”
To explore the impact, Dr. O’Connor’s team conducted experiments with both human and animal subjects, giving them a mixture of water and baking soda over two weeks.
Results indicated that sodium bicarbonate prompted immune cells to decrease inflammatory responses, even among participants with pre-existing inflammation.
The study highlighted baking soda’s role in supporting a balanced immune response by calming inflammation signals within both the stomach and spleen. This shift in immune response can “switch off” already activated inflammatory markers, potentially relieving arthritis pain, which is often linked to excessive inflammation and immune overactivity.
Dr. Mercola, an expert on natural health remedies, emphasizes the significance of baking soda as an alternative to certain arthritis medications. He notes, “The drugs commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis are among the most dangerous on the market.”
Medications like prednisone and TNF-alpha inhibitors (Humira, Enbrel, and Remicade) may have serious side effects, including an increased risk of infections and cancer. Methotrexate and long-term NSAIDs use, while effective, can also cause severe liver or kidney issues.
In contrast, baking soda offers a natural, cost-effective solution with no such risks. It can be a safe option to soothe arthritis pain and manage inflammation without the downsides of certain conventional medications. Including a small amount of baking soda in water daily may help ease arthritis symptoms and support general health in multiple ways.
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