Using baking soda for acid reflux is an old folk remedy, but its value in treating heartburn has been verified by scientific fact. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is alkaline. When a small amount is mixed with water, it neutralizes refluxed stomach acid. In fact, one popular effervescent antacid tablet has sodium bicarbonate as its main active ingredient.

High Blood Pressure Precaution

Baking soda reacts with stomach acid, which is hydrochloric acid, to form water and sodium chloride, which is ordinary table salt. Because of the high sodium content of baking soda, it is not advised for patients with high blood pressure who are on a salt-restricted diet.

Controversy Over the Use of Baking Soda

It works for some people and not for others. Even the experts disagree on the use of this inorganic substance to be beneficial to the acid reflux sufferer. Some doctors claim that an acid-alkaline reaction in the esophagus and stomach is not really good for them. Some say that the baking soda can neutralize stomach acid not only in the esophagus but also in the stomach and interfere with digestion there, causing problems which may then lead to acid reflux. Others say that impurities such as aluminum that may be left over in the manufacturing and processing of the baking soda could be harmful. However, if the baking soda is pure, this last concern is not a problem, because baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which does not contain aluminum in its chemistry.

Don't Overdo the Baking Soda

Only use a half teaspoon dissolved in a four-ounce glass of water when acid reflux occurs. Too much baking soda may neutralize too much stomach acid in the stomach where it should be acid, thus interfering with the proper digestion of food in the stomach itself where the stomach acid should be. This could itself cause acid reflux because of the interference with the proper functioning of the regulating mechanism of the sphincter muscle which lets food into the stomach and which is supposed to keep the acid from refluxing back into the esophagus.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

When combined with the acetic acid in vinegar, baking soda reacts to form water, sodium acetate, and gaseous carbon dioxide which is released as effervescent bubbles. The sodium acetate and the acetic acid in a water solution cause a chemical buffer, which stabilizes the pH or acidity of the refluxed stomach acid to a beneficial level. Apple cider vinegar and baking soda in a water solution is a natural remedy which many claim to be effective for treating acid reflux.