Baking Soda — Good For More Than Heartburn
Baking Soda Isn’t a Health Hack — It’s a Forgotten Medicine
For most of us, baking soda sits quietly in the kitchen — a simple white powder used for cookies, cleaning, or freshening up the fridge. But a century ago, doctors considered it a valuable medicine. In 1924, the Arm & Hammer Company even published a pamphlet describing how physicians used sodium bicarbonate to help patients fight off the flu.¹
At the time, bicarbonate was prized for its ability to balance acidity in the body. Doctors believed that reducing systemic acid could help the immune system fight infection more effectively — a theory based on the medical understanding of the era.² While that idea faded with the rise of antibiotics and vaccines, modern research is quietly reviving some of those discussions in surprising ways.
Baking Soda and Cancer: The Science Behind the Claim
Recent studies have explored whether tumor acidity — a hallmark of cancer metabolism — might be reduced by alkalizing agents like sodium bicarbonate.³ In animal models, neutralizing tumor acidity with bicarbonate has slowed the spread of certain cancers.⁴ The concept is simple: cancer cells thrive in acidic environments, so altering that environment could hinder their growth.
In 2018, researchers published a study in the journal Cancer Research showing that sodium bicarbonate increased the effectiveness of some chemotherapy drugs in mice by reducing the acidity around tumors.⁶ Another review in 2020 highlighted similar findings, noting that bicarbonate altered tumor microenvironments and reduced metastatic potential.⁸
Early human trials, such as the “TILA-TACE” study in China, used a small dose of sodium bicarbonate as part of liver cancer treatment. The results suggested improved patient tolerance and possible survival benefits — though the authors emphasized that more research is needed before any medical recommendations can be made.¹²
Anti-Inflammatory Potential
Beyond cancer, scientists have also explored sodium bicarbonate’s role in inflammation. A 2018 study from the Journal of Immunology found that drinking a mild baking soda solution appeared to calm the body’s immune response in animals, shifting it from an inflammatory “attack” mode toward a more balanced state.¹⁵
The results were intriguing enough that researchers called for larger human studies to see if bicarbonate could one day help manage chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or autoimmune disorders.
So Why Did We Stop Using It?
As medicine advanced, simple remedies like baking soda lost favor to targeted pharmaceuticals with well-defined mechanisms and clinical trials. But that doesn’t mean bicarbonate’s story is over. Instead, it’s being re-examined through the lens of modern science — with researchers studying how something so basic might still hold medical value.
However, experts warn that ingesting baking soda in high amounts can cause serious health issues such as metabolic alkalosis, electrolyte imbalance, and high blood pressure. Always talk to a healthcare professional before trying any home remedy or supplement protocol. Clinical trials are ongoing, and while the potential is fascinating, the verdict is far from final.
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