2024-02-12 11:00:22
Lemon and baking soda are two common ingredients used in home remedies. Some claim that mixing baking soda and lemon juice can improve skin, treat heartburn, and whiten teeth. However, research is limited and there are not enough studies to support the combined effects of these two ingredients. Here we look at some of the potential health benefits of consuming baking soda and lemon juice mixtures.
About pH
The baking soda and lemon juice mixture relies on the fundamentals of acidity and the 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. pH levels above 7 indicate an alkaline or basic solution, while neutral solutions, such as pure water, have a pH of 7.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a base. This means that when dissolved in water, it forms an alkaline solution. For example, a 0.1 molar solution of baking soda has a pH of approximately 8.3. Lemon juice contains citric acid and has a pH of around 3. By adding baking soda to lemon juice, the pH increases to produce a more neutral solution.
Skin care
In general, skin has a weakly acidic pH of around 5.7. Bases, like baking soda, increase the skin’s pH. High pH levels can disrupt the skin’s barrier function, which can lead to dryness, excess oil production and acne. Lemon juice seems to have obvious skin care applications because it contains concentrations of vitamin C and citric acid, both of which provide powerful benefits for the skin. Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that manufacturers commonly use in chemical peels.
However, skin cells naturally repel water-soluble molecules, such as vitamin C. This means that very little vitamin C actually penetrates the skin. The high acid content of lemon juice can lower the pH of the skin. Low pH levels can cause skin irritation, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity to UV light.
Alternatives
Using a homemade mixture of baking soda and lemon juice can potentially be harmful to the skin. Instead, a person can try using neutral cleansers or chemical peels that contain AHAs, such as glycolic acid.
Neutralization of stomach acid
Excess stomach acid can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as heartburn, vomiting and indigestion. Many people with excess stomach acid take over-the-counter antacids to relieve their symptoms. Consuming baking soda and lemon juice together can also neutralize stomach acid in a similar way to an antacid.
A 2017 study looked at the antacid effects of different foods. The authors of this study created an artificial stomach acid with a pH of 1.2. Although lemon juice alone has almost no effect, baking soda was successful in neutralizing 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 pH changes. Although lemon juice does not neutralize stomach acid, it can help stabilize the pH level inside the stomach.
Alternatives
Using baking soda and lemon juice to combat excess stomach acid can be a good home remedy, as effective over-the-counter antacids contain similar ingredients. However, mixing the right proportions of baking soda and lemon juice can be difficult. Consuming a mixture with too much baking soda can cause diarrhea and gas, while too much lemon juice can trigger acid reflux and make symptoms worse. Buying an antacid at the pharmacy is often much safer.
Other home remedies to reduce excess stomach acid include:
avoid or reduce acidic foods and drinkslimit caffeine intakelimit alcohol consumptioneat smaller mealsdrink more waterget enough sleep
People experiencing acid reflux or severe or persistent heartburn should consult a doctor or gastroenterologist.
Teeth whitening
Many oral care products contain baking soda because of its antibacterial properties and its ability to remove plaque without eroding tooth enamel. Baking soda can also help remove surface stains from teeth, making it an effective and affordable alternative to traditional whitening techniques. However, there is little evidence to suggest that adding lemon juice to baking soda will improve the dental benefits of baking soda.
A 2017 report that reviewed 21 studies concluded that toothpaste containing baking soda safely and effectively removed tooth stains. However, the report did not include any studies involving 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, mixing baking soda and lemon juice should produce a solution closer to neutral pH.
Alternatives
People interested in whitening their teeth should consult their dentist. The American Dental Association (ADA) has also approved several types of baking soda toothpastes. To obtain an ADA seal, manufacturers must provide scientific evidence that proves their product is safe and effective.
General risks and considerations
Baking soda can cause side effects, including thirst and headache. Baking soda 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 purposes should first consult a doctor.
People with kidney disease or high blood pressure should avoid sodium bicarbonate because it can increase blood sodium levels.
Side effects of sodium bicarbonate may include headache, nausea and vomiting, thirst, stomach pain, excessive gas, frequent urination, swelling of the lower extremities, and fatigue.
Lemons contain many essential vitamins and minerals. Lemon juice also contains compounds that have beneficial antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
However, lemon juice is acidic and excessive consumption can lead to side effects such as enamel loss, tooth decay, acid reflux, nausea and vomiting.
Mixtures of baking soda and lemon juice are popular health hacks, with people using them for things such as skin care, teeth whitening, and treating heartburn and indigestion. However, there is limited scientific evidence at present to support the health benefits of these blends, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.
Both baking soda and lemon juice have several health benefits on their own. However, combining these two ingredients without specific dosage or usage guidelines can lead to unwanted side effects.
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François Lehn has been a science/health journalist for 15 years. Specializing in new health approaches and complementary care, he notably had the opportunity to collaborate for two years with Professor David Servan-Schreiber. Passionate about integrative medicine and the complementarity of different preventive and therapeutic health approaches, he tirelessly seeks the best information, health practitioners, doctors or researchers in order to provide the most reliable and useful knowledge for everyone’s health.
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