Indigestion troubles a huge number of Brits, and it can be an extremely uncomfortable feeling. Indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux can have a number of causes, according to the NHS, including certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, tomatoes, alcohol, and spicy or fatty foods. Other causes of this often cause severe discomfort, including smoking, stress, anxiety, weight problems, and certain medicines.
However, a number of popular remedies are available to us in pharmacies and high street stores, such as Gaviscon, Nexium, Rennie, and Pepto Bismol, which can all cost anywhere between £2 and upwards of £12. But there is a home remedy, costing under £1, which many people swear by for relieving indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. That solution involves simply adding a small amount of baking soda to a glass of water and drinking. For those looking for this problem-solver, though, caution needs to be exercised.
In major supermarkets, such as Aldi, baking soda can be bought for as little as 65p.
Celebrity drag queen and host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul, told his millions of TikTok followers how he uses baking soda to relieve his indigestion and heartburn, something he said “works like magic”.
“I drink this, and within 60 seconds, your stomach is settled,” he said in the clip. “It’s a brilliant trick.”
It works as an absorbant of acids, which then leads to a relief in symptoms when you are experiencing excess acid. In fact, generations of people have used baking soda for this exact problem. According to Healthline, baking soda should only be used as a short-term solution to indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research says that baking soda is a good idea if you are stuck and don’t have over-the-counter heartburn medicines to hand.
The downside to using baking soda to relieve symptoms is that it is high in sodium, and too much of this can lead to a number of issues, such as heightened blood pressure.
Additionally, Healthline advises that if people choose to use baking soda, they should only have around half a teaspoon.
The NHS says that people who are repeatedly experiencing indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux should see their GP. People should also make a doctor’s appointment if they are in severe pain, have lost weight without meaning to, are having difficulties swallowing, feel like they have a lump in their stomach, or if there is blood in their sick or poo.
