Several scientific studies have examined the health benefits of baking soda and lemon juice separately, but there is not much research to support the combined effects of these two ingredients.
This article discusses some of the potential health benefits of consuming baking soda and lemon juice mixtures.
A note about pH
The idea of combining baking soda and lemon juice draws on basic principles 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, so:
- pH levels below 7 indicate an acidic solution
- pH levels above 7 indicate an alkaline, or base solution
- 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 people dissolve baking soda in water, it forms an alkaline solution. For example, a 0.1 molar solution of baking soda has a pH of around 8.3.
Lemon juice contains citric acid and has a pH of around 3. Adding baking soda to lemon juice will raise the pH to produce a more neutral solution.
Skin care
Usually, the skin has a weakly acidic pH of about 5.7. Bases, such as baking soda, will increase the pH of the skin. Higher pH levels can disrupt the barrier function of the skin, which may lead to dryness, excess oil production, and acne.
Lemon juice appears to have obvious skincare applications because it contains concentrations of vitamin C and citric acid, which both provide powerful skin benefits. 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 will actually penetrate the skin.
The high acid content of lemon juice can lower the pH level of the skin. Low pH levels may cause skin irritation, hyperpigmentation, and UV light sensitivity.
Alternatives
Using a homemade mixture of baking soda and lemon juice may potentially be harmful to the skin. Instead, a person can try using neutral cleansers or chemical peels that contain AHAs, such as glycolic acid.
Neutralizing 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 (OTC) antacids to relieve their symptoms. Consuming baking soda and lemon juice together may also neutralize stomach acid in a similar fashion as an antacid.
A 2017 study examined the antacid effects of various foods. The authors of this study created artificial stomach acid with a pH of 1.2. Although lemon juice by itself had almost no effect, sodium bicarbonate successfully neutralized the synthetic stomach acid.
Many OTC antacids contain sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. Lemons and other citrus fruits are rich sources of naturally-occurring citric acid.
When a person mixes lemon juice and baking soda, the citric acid reacts with the sodium bicarbonate 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 may help stabilize the pH level inside the stomach.
Alternatives
Using baking soda and lemon juice to combat excess stomach acid may be a good home remedy, as effective OTC antacids contain similar ingredients.
However, mixing the correct proportions of baking soda and lemon juice can be difficult.
Consuming a mixture with too much baking soda may cause diarrhea and gas, whereas too much lemon juice could trigger acid reflux and make symptoms worse. Purchasing an antacid at the drug store is often much safer.
Other home remedies for reducing excess stomach acid include:
- avoiding or reducing acidic foods and beverages
- limiting caffeine intake
- limiting alcohol consumption
- eating smaller meals
- drinking more water
- getting enough sleep
People with severe or persistent acid reflux or heartburn should speak to a doctor or gastroenterologist.
19 comments
Kate
August 20, 2021 at 1:15 am
I used one half yeaspoon of baking soda and one have lemon in a glass of spring eater. The next morning my fsce/skin looked better.
Russel
October 14, 2021 at 2:35 pm
Hi , I don’t want to rock the boat . All that I’m saying is what helps me get through the day , not tested but works for me . About 3 years ago for not apparent reason I started with stomach problems & aches . I went to the hospital one night it was that bad , landed up staying for a 5 day stint . Pushed & prodded , starved & had cameras top & bottom with no real out come . I’ve spoken to numerus GP’s , burst a few hernia’s that I live with but still nothing. I got onto Baking soda that I now buy in 5kg bags (much cheaper) that lasts a few months . I put a tea spoon of bicarb into a mug of water which is about 200ml , please as I say this works for me . Yes , I do have the trots on a regular bases but I live with out crippling pain . I can’t say how many mug’s a day I have , more than 10 less than 20 ? Food doesn’t seam to digest very quickly & I can bring up meals 2 weeks later . All I can say bless bicarb . Thanks for listening .
Miss Jane harding
December 8, 2021 at 3:55 pm
I have been using baking powderfor a skin condition. I also told several people with exzma ans phsorisis about it and they are all clear of the skin conditions now. My grandaughter and her friend no longer have out breaks of spots. Also my pals husband no longer has injections in his in knees for arthritis. Alkso my depressions gone. Hallaluya for baking powder/soda
Bev
December 12, 2021 at 2:46 pm
Miss Jane: Which is it, baking powder. OR baking soda? NOT the same thing!
James
May 23, 2022 at 8:48 pm
You must’ve trolling or being sarcastic. It doesn’t cure or help with depression in anyway. It does not fix the neuropathways or long term alter the chemical balance to the correct amount, permanently, which would be required to cure someone’s chronic depression. Makes no sense and I don’t believe you if that is what you’re saying
Jason Muller
December 29, 2021 at 2:31 pm
This is interesting as I’ve read numerous times that a low overall body acidity can exacerbate eczema. How was the baking applied? Topically or internally? And how much?
MJ
January 23, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Are you using baking POWDER or baking SODA? They’re not the same thing. Also, what measurements? How much are you using for your skin? Are you mixing with water and then swallowing or applying it topically on your skin?
Zita
April 2, 2022 at 9:39 am
Is it that you take just baking soda without lemon juice? If yes, did you ever try the combination?
James
May 23, 2022 at 8:52 pm
Youre either being sarcastic and joking or full of shit.. It doesn’t cure or help with depression in anyway. It does not fix neuropathways or permanently correct the chemical balance to the correct amount, not even temporarily; as would be required to cure someone’s chronic depression. Makes no sense. I for one, don’t believe you, if that is what you’re saying
James
May 23, 2022 at 8:52 pm
..
Chris
January 14, 2022 at 10:05 pm
Hi Russel.
I had undiagnosed issues for decades. Yes, baking soda saved my life too. But why?
Finally, i diagnosed myself upon feeling the herniated intestinal lump that usually was unnoticeable.
Are you certain the hernias you mention are not part of the problems you experience?
Hernias can lead to chronic kidney failure, which is what i was experiencing. Those symptoms alone are crippling. and since kidneys regulate the pH balance, baking soda helps restore kidney function to some degree, alleviating many symptoms, but not solving the problem in the long run.
Btw, try 1/2 tsp in water, not a whole one, with lime juice as a gut buffer.
Best!
Chris
Leah Digiallonardo
March 19, 2022 at 10:46 pm
Thanks for sharing.
Eric
October 17, 2021 at 9:30 am
Very nice answers
Reverend John
December 18, 2021 at 8:42 am
I was crippled and couldn’t walk. Two months of taking baking soda I can’t see now either? Hope this is.
Daniel Garcia
January 1, 2022 at 10:37 pm
I have had acid reflux since January 2000, I have been through all the tests and drugs a doctor can prescribe and perform. I have controlled it with My Diet mainly. Since reaching 55 years I have had problems with constipation and My acid reflux flares up once in a while. I read an article and saw a YouTube video about putting 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of 100% lemon juice in 2 tablespoons of water. I take it on an empty stomach, always in the morning after I do My Yoga. It has improved My Bowel Movements and has helped Me somewhat with My acid reflux. I am able to eat foods now that I would not eat earlier. I have lost weight slowly, 1 lbs per week. I also run 2 miles and walk 2 miles twice a week. I still watch what I eat. But I believe it works…
D. Barr
January 20, 2022 at 8:52 am
Baking Soda
and
Lemon Juice
Jeffrey Sansone
February 21, 2022 at 11:35 pm
I stopped using commercial toothpaste, even toms of maine. I went organic and vegan and my MS is so slight after 20 years! And Ive started recently not using any chemicals to clean dishes, clothes and the house. Main ingredients are baking soda and coarse sea salt. I add a smidge of baking soda to my water daily and my acute arthritis is manageable.
James
May 23, 2022 at 8:58 pm
Baking soda also helps pass drug tests when you’ve been using methamphetamine. Like a Miracle. Yes that’s right I’ve been shooting up meth in my arms and tweaking like the addict piece of shit I am, thank you in advance for judging me, but now my parole officer wants to test my pee, because apparently it’s his business what I do in my private home, so anyways baking soda raises the pH level of your pee or cleans it somehow so there’s no trace of meth in it. What a time to be alive.
James
May 23, 2022 at 9:00 pm
Just kidding this was a test/ social experiment to see how people would react to someone saying such things openly.