Gastroenterologist Alla Kurylets has warned that drinking baking soda for health or weight loss lacks scientific proof and can lead to severe stomach damage. Speaking exclusively to news agency UNIAN, Kurylets stated that medical professionals warn against using soda solutions for drinking or rinsing, a practice common in Ukrainian folk medicine.
Baking soda, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate, is widely used in cooking, household tasks, and gardening. Many patients turn to soda or herbal remedies under the mistaken belief that natural solutions are safer and that standard pharmaceuticals harm the liver and other organs. Kurylets explained that tested medications undergoing rigorous research exist for gastrointestinal issues, whereas claims of soda benefits stem from folk creativity, social media, and self-proclaimed healers.
A widespread pseudoscientific claim suggests the body is overly acidic and requires artificial alkalization or morning soda drinks to prevent cancer. Kurylets noted that high acidity is normal specifically for the stomach, where an acidic environment actually lowers cancer risks. She added that internal organs such as the kidneys and lungs maintain normal blood pH levels between 7.35 and 7.45. Any shift toward acidosis or alkalosis requires pharmaceutical treatment rather than home remedies.
Risks of Acid Rebound and Perforation
When swallowed, sodium bicarbonate reacts to produce carbon dioxide, causing belching and overstretching of the stomach. For patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, where a weak muscular sphincter between the esophagus and stomach allows acid to rise, soda provides initial relief followed by an acid rebound. This rebound triggers a significant increase in hydrochloric acid secretion.
Kurylets stated that as a gastroenterologist she opposes soda consumption, warning that soda can deepen existing stomach erosions or ulcers. In severe cases, an enlarged ulcer can suffer a perforation through the stomach wall, sending the patient to the operating table.
Emergency Heartburn Relief and Alternatives
Although older generations frequently used soda to treat heartburn, Kurylets advised against continuous intake. She explained that drinking a dilute solution of a little soda in half a glass of water is acceptable only as a rare emergency measure late at night when all pharmacies are closed. While this may relieve symptoms, it does not cure the underlying disease, and patients must see a doctor to identify the cause of their heartburn.
If pharmacy access is limited, Kurylets recommended drinking alkaline mineral water as a safer alternative to soda. For long-term treatment, patients can consult doctors about over-the-counter options such as antacids to reduce acidity or alginates that form a protective gel barrier on the stomach surface to block acid reflux.
Kurylets studied gastroenterology at Lviv National Medical University and currently practices at Dialik Clinic in Ivano-Frankivsk. She is a member of the Ukrainian Gastroenterological Association.
